The 7th Guest: A Ghoulish Retrospective
Greetings and salutations one and all. Animeman73 here and happy Boo-day! I hope you’re all prepared for the trick or treaters.
Or are planning on some kind of good Halloween fun.
In honor of this delightful and scary holiday, I chose to do a commentary on a favorite game of mine. One of the few horror games I’ve ever played. I hope you enjoy The 7th Guest: A Ghoulish Retrospective.
And when you're done reading check out my comments at the end to find out more about my work. And about how you can support my channel.
As always, all pictures used in this are valid under the terms of the fair use agreement of 1976.
“He was a drifter. Moving from town to town, robbing a gas station here, a grocery store there.”
And with those words begins the player’s terrifying journey. Into the haunted mansion of a malevolent mind.
The 7th Guest was an interactive movie/puzzle adventure game. Set in the haunted mansion of the evil toymaker Henry Stauf. The game got produced by Trilobyte gaming.
And released in 1993 by Virgin Interactive Entertainment.
The game circles around the horrifying events that took place years ago in the mansion. Events that involved six guests, and a very special 7th guest.
The player guides an entity called Ego through the mansion. Solving the crafty puzzles of Stauf. To understand the frightening events that took place that night. And help the entity get their memory back.
I was first introduced to this game via the trailer back in late 1992. Back when I began thinking about upgrading my computer. In 1993 I was able to upgrade from my old 286 computer to a Packard Bell 486.
And thus began my journey into Stauf’s horrific halls.
Be warned good player! This is not a game for the faint of heart! There are some jump scares but for the most part only disturbing images.
Also, there are some cheesy horror movie tropes here. But hey there's nothing wrong with some cheesy fun every now and again. This game will play with your mind as you lead Ego through the corridors of Stauf’s hellish home.
Another note of warning for this game. You will either need the Prima Publishing clue book or some kind of walkthrough guide. Going in blind with these puzzles will make them take forever to figure out.
And test the player’s temper. Can you say rage quit? Sure, I knew you could.
Two examples of some complex puzzles are as follows. One in the Knox’s bedroom. It's getting two sets of four chess bishops, one black, one white, to the opposite side of the field.
All without taking any bishops out.
The other is in the mansion bathroom. That one is far more complicated. It involves two sets of chess knights, one white, and one black.
The object is to get the two sets to the other side of the board. Stauf’s constant quips can grate at a person’s patience even if they know what they’re doing. But in all fairness, that’s part of overcoming the challenge.
The puzzles in this game are mindboggling. But it doesn’t take away from the performances. Robert Hirschboeck as an example is delicious in his role as Henry Stauf.
With his constant array of macabre puns and cheesy little quips. Such as “So you live to play another day,” and “Give up?” shows this is a man with a keen wit. Yet there’s an underlying malevolence about Stauf.
As he plays with the minds of the guests turning them against one another.
Michael Pocaro in his role as Edward Knox sums up the typical middle-aged man. One embittered over his life and wanting to start over completely. Yeah, Houston we have temptation alert.
Debra Ritz Mason plays Martine Burton. A former beauty pageant winner who returns to her former hometown. Seeking something darker.
Debra Ritz Mason played the character very well.
Jolene Patrick’s performance as Elinor Knox was okay. She seemed to come off as more the grandmother type. The real problem I had is her fate isn't made clear.
We see what became of Mrs. Knox but how did she get to that point? Yeah, slight plot hole folks.
Ted Lawson plays Hamilton Temple. A stage magician at the end of his career. His performance was fantastic.
Temple gave off the impression of being the good-natured goofball. One who has some understanding of the supernatural.
Real credit goes to the following people. Game designer/Graphic Artist Rob Landeros. And Virgin MasterTronics programmer Graeme Devine.
The two created a masterpiece of adventure/horror.
The 7th Guest is a delightful and ghoulish tale. With some crafty creations of a wicked toy maker. Blocking the way to the ultimate goal of finding out the truth about that bloody night.
I give this game a solid B. For superb game play, acting, and a malevolent feel. One that lets the player know that they’re in a haunted mansion.
This game is compatible with Windows 7 and 10. So, are you looking for a terrifying good game to play this Halloween? Then go to GOG.com and buy the 7th Guest 25th anniversary edition.
Thanks so much for reading this commentary. I hope there was enough here to entertain and convince you to go get the 7th Guest. Please like and share this on your Minds timeline.
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Until next time stay true to yourselves and stay classy. Have a safe and happy Halloween...whatever you are.
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