Shadow of the Comet: A Look at Early Horror Gaming
A Bit of History…
In 1993, Shadow of the Comet was released by Developer Infogramers. Despite the success of other adventure games like Sierra Gaming’s King’s Quest series and Space Quest series, the game fell into a niche category of horror that at the time wasn’t seeing many mainstream games.
Even today, most people don’t know this game exists. You will find Shadow of the Comet roaming around some Top 100 adventure gaming lists and on Top 10 horror gaming lists.
The Story…
Shadow of the Comet, carrying the Call of Cthulhu overtitle, relates directly to Lovecraft’s work. It includes reference to tales such as The Dunwich Horror, The Shadow Over Innsmouth, and The Call of Cthulhu.
The game starts in 1910 with the arrival of John Parker, the player, reaching Illsmouth, an isolated town in New England. John arrives to follow in the footsteps on Lord Boleskine who photographed Halley’s Comet from this location in 1834.
As John moves around the small town, he finds that the town is involved in more than just fishing. Shady characters are around every corner and he never knows who means to do him harm. He will find himself dealing with an ancient cult the goes back eons.
The Gameplay…
Shadow of the Comet game controls use either the mouse or the keyboard. The problem with the mouse is you must hold down the button to move. Other games from the era require one click to move the character across the screen. This causes the player to almost always favor the keyboard to move and then transition to the mouse for an action.
By this point in time, most adventure games are using distinct icons to determine what action the character makes. The icon identifies which object to examine or pick up and causes the character to move toward it. Shadow of the Comet falls short in his area requiring the player to maneuver as close to the object as possible and use a generic interreact button to make something happen.
As for the graphics, the pixel character are pretty good for this time period. Even the character close ups are really well done and are clearly designed to honor actors and actresses in the industry.
Shadow of the Comet In Retrospect…
Shadow of the Comet plays like an interactive novel by today’s standards. The slow gameplay and annoyingly unexpected death decisions make for a frustrating game.
But, if you have some patience and are even a mild fan of Lovecraft, this game is worth the time and effort. Save often, try interacting with everything and everyone, and enjoy this like an addition to the Cthulhu Mythos.
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
(4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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VoodooPriestess
February 9, 2020 at 11:11 pm
That is hella cool! Mr. Juggs looks like someone too. Like Peter Cushing or Roddy McDowall? Kinda sounds like it needs to have some sorta of remastering done with those controls though.