Avoiding Trick-or-Treaters

game is tense, filled with optional paths and tons of gore as Adrian attempts to outrun her possessed husband and ultimately stop the demon. And since the game can be started at the beginning of any of the seven chapters, players can jump right into the blood-strewn climax. The interface is simple as are most of the puzzles in this adventure game, but for the trickier puzzles there is a useful hint system. What is most striking is that Roberta Williams was behind this tense game. She is most known for the King’s Quest series.

Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Father (PC, Sierra On-line, 1993). The first installment of the Gabriel Knight series is considered by some to be the best one of the trilogy. Basic plot: bookshop owner, Gabriel Knight, attempts to solve some particularly brutal ritualistic killings as he researches Voodoo for a novel. Along the way he discovers that he is one in a long line of Schattenjaggers (shadow hunters), a title that his family has had for generations. This game has lots of suspense and is very well written. The CD-ROM version must be played to fully appreciate the effort that went into creating this masterpiece. Voice acting is good throughout and Tim Curry, as Gabriel, delivers his lines perfectly without going over the top. The images evoke emotion and the final confrontation has a couple of endings. There are number of very intense moments in this adventure game. The graphic novel-type cutscenes work very well. Mark Hamill and Michael Dorn also appear.

Dream Web (Empire Interactive, 1993). This game is so bad it’s scary. Play only if you are a one brick short of a full load or you’re so hooped on candy that you don’t care. (Read the review here.)

Castlevania (NES, Konami, 1987). This is one tough sidescroller. You take on the role of vampire hunter and cross paths with Frankenstien’s monster, the mummy, skeleton warriors and that bad-ass Dracula. Most of the action takes place in, around and under a spooky castle. The action is straightforward. Your main weapon is the whip, with secondary weapons, such as battle axes and a boomerang crucifix, offered as power-ups. Getting through the levels isn’t much of a problem but the boss characters can be very tough, especially Dracula. Sound and graphics are pretty good for the NES. Vampire hunting has never been so fun!

Resident Evil 2 (N64, PS, Capcom, 1998). Zombies and more zombies! This game takes place soon after the events of Resident Evil. The Umbrella corporation is running amuck again, unleashing a virus that has turned the inhabitants of Racoon City into brain-sucking zombies. RE2 offers two playable characters that embark on two different quests so this can be played through at least twice (three if you manage to access the secret character, Tofu.). The style of the first game has been improved upon tenfold. The camera angles change with each new screen so there aren’t as many problems associated with 3^rd person cameras that follow the player. The graphics are good and the sound doubles the experience. Some moments are truly scary. What is even more frightening is that all the FMV cutscenes fit on a N64 cartridge! Definitely one to play while wearing pants that are already brown.

Granted, playing all of these games right through in one sitting will most likely atrophy your legs and provide material for your nightmares for months to come, but I ask you, is there a better way to avoid trick-or-treaters and still have fun on Halloween? Sure, you could go to a party dressed as Batman, get blasted and make a pass at Lady Godiva but is that really scary?

- Omni

"Play games, shun personal contact."