Original Article: Ah, mystery. That hard to define, catch all genre for titles that feature plots in which something is strangely off. It all started in the 1990s when nobody had any idea what genre to stick the X-Files TV show into. Ever since then, every show, movie, book or video game that featured some sort of supernatural element, that was a bit spooky without being outright horror, was classified as just that: Mystery. Also, in the 1990s, there were a ton of adventure games that ended up populating the mystery genre.
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Those were usually adventure games for older people, for more adult audiences, that deemed themselves too grown up, too mature to deal with the kiddie stuff of the popular, cartoonish adventures. During the heyday of the graphic adventure genre in the early 90s, there was an outright deluge of weird, more mature themed titles, the worst of which heavily featured one of 90s video games worst sins in full motion video (FMV) sequences. So on this list you will find a selection of the best of those old titles, alongside some modern mystery adventures from the last few years. Here we will not deal with of any kind, for those games we have some other lists. And now without further ado, let’s descend into mystery.
Alan Wake. Developer: Remedy Entertainment. Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios. Platforms: X360, PC. Release: May 18, 2010 A long time in the making, Alan Wake, originally a timed exclusive for the Xbox 360, was developed by Remedy, of Max Payne fame. Alan Wake features the eponymous writer, who has to unravel the dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of Bright Falls, a small town in the Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
Developer: Quantic Dream. Publisher: Sony Computer Interactive Entertainment.
Platforms: PS3, PS4. Release: February 23, 2010 Oh what a game this could have been. David Cage’s masterpiece. A long time before the game was anywhere close to going gold, the developers started showcasing their – admittedly astounding – technology.
It was supposed to allow for truly emotional performances by the digital actors. The final product didn’t prove to be too convincing for a lot of people, however the multi-protagonist hunt for the Origami Killer succeeded in finding a lot of fans nonetheless. Even if the game’s story is a bit flat, at least it’s a game that tries some new ways of doing things. And as The Walking Dead proves, it succeeded in starting off a new way of doing adventure games. 7th Guest. Developer: Trilobyte. Publisher: Virgin Interactive Entertainment.
Platforms: PC. Release: April 1, 1993 Starting off the big era of CD-ROM games, this creepy adventure game tasks the player with solving an array of twenty one puzzles in a mysterious old mansion, unveiling the secrets the place holds.
Revolutionary at the time, 7th Guest featured intricately rendered graphics and real actors in full motion video sequences that told the story of the mansion. Likewise, the game proved to be a big factor in boosting the sale of CD-ROM drives, and kicked off the FMV driven interactive movie adventure game genre of the early 90s. Phantasmagoria. Developer: Sierra On-Line. Publisher: Sierra On-Line. Platforms: PC, Sega Saturn.
Release: August 24, 1995 Delivered on no less than seven CD-ROMs, Phantasmagoria was the embodiment of the mid-90s interactive movie fad. Controversial due to its sexually loaded horror content, the game stirred a lot of discussions about harsher age restrictions when it was released in 1995. Launched with a lot of surrounding hype, Phantasmagoria proved to be a best-seller. Experienced today though, almost twenty years later, it has aged quite badly, the script being rather weak, the acting wooden and the gameplay not very inspired. Nonetheless, the game was one of the biggest success stories of Sierra’s star designer Roberta Williams. Gemini Rue. Developer: Wadjey Eye Games.
Publisher: Wadjet Eye Games. Platforms: PC, iOS, Android. Release: February 24, 2011 Heralded by many critics as a return to form of the venerated graphic adventure genre, this noir cyberpunk story should prove a breakthrough success for indie developer Wadjet Eye Games. Released in 2011, Gemini Rue features a deliberately retro style throughout, from environments to gameplay mechanics. The game tells an expansive science fiction story with a lot of twists and turns, set in the 23rd century.
Developer: Sierra On-Line. Publisher: Sierra On-Line. Platforms: PC. Release: 1995 Another Sierra FMV title, this second entry to the Gabriel Knight series sets the eponymous investigator of the supernatural on the tracks of a werewolf, that is on the prowl in quaint Bavaria. The game delves in Bavarian history and folklore, featuring locations as Neuschwanstein castle along with its plot revolving around a lost opera from German composer Richard Wagner and the famed Bavarian King Ludwig II. Gameplay takes place with actors filmed on a set, performing all the actions, which required the game to take up a whopping six CD-ROMs, making it an enormously huge title at its time of release in 1995. However, gamers can today get it as a single download through GoG and Steam.
Noire. Developer: Team Bondi. Publisher: Rockstar Games. Platforms: PS3, X360, PC, NS, PS4, XBO. Release: May 17, 2011 Originally developed by now defunct Australian developer Team Bondi, the project was eventually taken over by none other than Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar, who helped finishing the game, adding a lot of typical Rockstar elements to the mix.
The game takes place in post-war Los Angeles, starring rookie cop Cole Phelps, who advances through the ranks of the LAPD as the player advances through the missions, solving a number of crimes before eventually finding himself forced to face the horrors he experienced during the Second World War another time. The game features ground breaking facial capture technology that allows for the central interrogation mechanics, that requires the player to read the facial gestures and tics of those who he is questioning. When you’re not questioning suspects, the game will have players dig around crime scenes in order to find clues or potential evidence. Bad Mojo. Developer: Pule Entertainment. Publisher: Acclaim Entertainment.
Platforms: PC. Release: February 29, 1996 The goal of Bad Mojo is rather simple. The protagonist has been transformed into a cockroach, and wants of course to end this predicament. To do that, he has to face his own past and solve a ton of strange puzzles in his home, which is situated above an abandoned bar. Bad Mojo had a reputation for not just being a plainly weird game, but for also featuring some of the least sensical puzzles of all mid 1990s adventure games. Nonetheless, it sold quite well and has become something of a cult classic ever since, and also has seen a re-release in 2004.
Because the game is pretty dated, gameplay will basically be point-and-click as you solve puzzles along with full motion videos to help tell the story. Her Story. Developer: Sam Barlow. Publisher: Sam Barlow.
Platforms: PC, iOS, Android. Release: June 24, 2015 Her Story is an indie video game written and directed by Sam Barlow. The video game features live-action police interview footage of a young female and pins the players to solve a murder investigation. Gamers must go through a series of video clips and uncover files that will lead to what really happened to Hannah Smith’s husband just as if you were actually investigating a case.
As a result, gameplay is more of an interactive movie where you’ll watch videos and reading files while you attempt to piece this case together. Likewise, this game won’t take players very long with most players completing the title within a single sitting of around three hours total. After the success of the game, Sam Barlow has begun production of a spiritual successor titled Telling Lies. Supposedly this upcoming release will retain the same overall gameplay mechanics. Deadly Premonition. Developer: Access Games. Publisher: Ignition Entertainment, Rising Star Games.
Platforms: X360, PS3, PC. Release: February 23, 2010 If you’re a fan of the cult TV series Twin Peaks, then chances are you’ve come across the video game Dead Premonition. It’s quite easy to see where developers Access Games received their inspirations when creating the game narrative. Within the game, players become an FBI agent who is sent to a small town within the United States in order to solve a murder. While investigating the murder it becomes obvious that there’s an otherworldly presence taking control of the town. This title has become a cult hit of its own right. Outside of being an investigative mystery title, Deadly Premonition is very much a survival horror game.
Players will have an open world to explore openly by either foot or through the use of vehicles but you won’t want to drift off too far as there are a few resources the game will require you to manage. For instance, vehicles will require fuel that must be purchased. Players will earn money by going through the various missions provided in the game or by other daily tasks such as changing suits and shaving. Furthermore, players will need to make sure our protagonist, Agent Francis York Morgan consumes food along with resting otherwise your health gauge will drop.
The Wolf Among Us. Developer: Telltale Games. Publisher: Telltale Games.
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Platforms: Android, iOS, PC, PS3, PS4, PSV, X360, XBO. Release: October 14, 2013 – July 9, 2014 Based on the Fables comic book series, The Wolf Among Us is another hit from developers Telltale Games. Overall, the game is set within an American town that that features outcasts from your beloved fairy tale stories. Now hiding in the human world, players take on the role of Bigby Wolf, once known as the Big Bad Wolf, who must keep the fables in check in order to avoid unwanted attention. However we soon find ourselves dealing with a string of murders. Someone is targeting the former fairy tale characters and its clearly an inside job. Players are left putting together clues, gathering evidence and questioning a wide cast of characters.
Similar to the other video games put out by Telltale Games, The Wolf Among Us released episodically with there being a total of five parts. If you find yourself completing the game then you’ll want to make note that the title has a sequel in the works. There’s not really any details out quite yet at the time of this latest article update, but we should see it launch at some point in 2019. Fahrenheit / Indigo Prophecy.
Developer: Quantic Dream. Publisher: Quantic Dream. Platforms: PC, PS2, Xbox, Android, iOS, PS4. Release: September 16, 2005 Developed by Quantic Dream, Fahrenheit first released into the market in 2005. Now, years later, the video game received a remastered edition and can be purchased for the PlayStation 4, PC, iOS, along with the Android platform. The video game is set in New York City where civilians become possessed and murder innocent bystanders. Overall, in this cinematic action-adventure title, players will follow the protagonist who is determined in solving these strange murders and ridding the supernatural forces behind the incidents.
We won’t dare spoil much of the narrative for this game because as mentioned this game is created by Quantic Dream. The game development studio is known for delivering fans an in-depth narrative journey full of choices and consequences. Likewise, the gameplay is easy to grasp just like other titles developed under the studio. Players will for the most part be completing a series of quick time event sequences when they are not freely roaming around the world and interacting with the environments. If this is your first time trying a Quantic Dream game then we recommend looking at some of the more recent works as well such as Heavy Rain and Detroit: Become Human.
Tex Murphy. Developer: Access Software, Big Finish Games, Chaotic Fusion. Publisher: Access Software, Atlus, Chaotic Fusion. Platforms: PC. Release: 1989 – 2018 Tex Murphy is not a particular video game but a series. This is an older PC series in which players take the role of an investigator named Tex Murphy during the 21 st century while also being set in the post-apocalypse.
As mentioned, the game is a bit older so the gameplay is mainly point-and-click as you explore the world, gather clues and attempt to interact with the environment in order to solve a puzzle. With that said, the cutscenes are actual full motion video.
In fact, there’s a new installment in the works called The Poisoned Pawn which will be the seventh installment to the Tex Murphy series. This upcoming game will still be an adventure title though the in-game immersion is drastically different. However, it looks like the game is only expected to launch within this year. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.
Developer: The Astronauts. Publisher: The Astronauts. Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO.
Release: September 26, 2014 The development team known as The Astronauts, currently only has one title out, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter. This an adventure game that follows Paul Prospero who is a paranormal investigator that received a fan letter from a young boy named Ethan Carter. Inspired by the letter, Paul ventures out into Ethan’s hometown only to learn that something tragic had happened.
Now players are left to solve the mystery and find out where Ethan is and the events that occurred prior to his arrival. Most of the game will be exploring the open world in search of not only Ethan but clues to help piece together a string of murders. Likewise, there will be a series of puzzles to solve though if you were hoping for a long mystery to keep you playing for days on end, then you may be a bit disappointed with the game taking about four hours to complete. Thimbleweed Park. Developer: Terrible Toybox. Publisher: Terrible Toybox. Platforms: PC, XBO, PS4, NS, Android, iOS.
Release: March 30, 2017 Thimbleweed Park was an instant hit after it released under Terrible Toybox and as a spiritual successor to the much beloved Manic Mansion. This is an adventure game where players are tasked with investigating a murder within a small town.
Similar to Maniac Mansion, players will be going through this point-and-click style adventure game investigating the area, gathering clues and speaking with cast of oddity characters. Most often compare the game to the cinematic series Twin Peaks along with the humor and art of the lighthearted LucasArts games. This is one title that should not be passed up if you’re a fan of adventure titles with a good narrative mystery.
One of the oldest football games ever made, XOR's NFL Challenge remain to this day one of the most ambitious simulations of its kind, containing over 30,000 lines of C and Assembly source codes after over 10 man-years in the making. The result is a very thorough and realistic simulation of football that was impressive enough to win endorsement from the NFL. The game comprises of 2 modules: macro and micro. The macro model computes and records various statistical averages to model the entire NFL season, while the micro model calculates the outcome of a single match. The game boasts of having several NFL experts help create in-game offensive and defensive playbooks, and it shows: there are dozens of plays you can choose from, and penalties and injuries are handled realistically.
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Graphics is not much to speak off- it's either all text (you see a red triangle, representing a ball, moving back on forth on the screen), or some graphics where X's and O's represent players. Still, for a game that focuses on the simulation aspect of a sport as opposed to the action, it's more than enough. There are many coaching options available, many of which became standard in later football games: in addition to calling plays, you can call a time out, and even use a neat 'two-minute' mode, which is modeled after the 'hurry up' offense often seen in real football games. In this mode, all ball carriers on that team will make an extra effort to get out of bounds and stop the clock. The quarterback will make more and longer passes, resulting in longer completions but much higher risk of interception. The computer AI is quite good, as it will take advantage of this 'two-minute' mode, as well as constantly change playbooks. Each player is rated in different skill categories, which affect the outcome of the game.
You can play against a friend, the computer, or even watch the computer play itself. Overall, NFL Challenge is a great simulation that definitely sets a high standard for other games to follow.
It's the granddaddy of games such as Tom Landry Strategy Football, and the level of thoroughness, fun, and realistic outcome is excellent even by today's standard. Two thumbs up!
Review By HOTUD Note: several additional team disks exists, if you have some, please contact us! TheSchwami 2017-01-08 1 point DOS version You have no idea how good a sim this was. Bought the original for $100, best money I ever spent on a 'game'.
The rapid sim mode allowed you to play 100 games in a matter of minutes. Just one example, the 1988 Scab Bowl, Skins vs Buncos, it predicted Skins would blow out Denver with a 94% probability. I laid down heavy.
Denver jumped out 10-0, didn't sweat at all. So confident, I doubled down with my bookie and got more points, (Den was -7 to start the game) the 2nd quarter was history. Called him at half and gave -7 points, doubled down again. The bookies hated me. The 'Game' paid for itself thousands of times over. Not even Madden has been able to come close. If that Madden file conversion earlier in this string works, I hope I can contact my new best friend GJ059 to thank him.
YearZeroNIN 2016-02-19 0 point DOS version GJ059: Thanks for that download. Has recent NFL 32-team rosters, so you can simulate games based on this current decade. Do these rosters already include the Madden modifications? It sure seems like it, which is great. Doesn't look like anyone added a season/playoff feature, so I'll just simulate it by sequencing games according to an NFL full-year schedule. Then create my own standings system and use whatever stats the game saves to try to create a rankings system. For some reason, I really want to do this.
YearZeroNIN 2016-02-16 1 point DOS version Trying to figure out the the 'season.nfl' or 'season.com' part. It appears you can only get computer vs. Computer simulation of a user-defined season? I was hoping you could play a full NFL season/playoffs, but it appears this game doesn't have that feature.
You know, when you could select an NFL team to play all its season/playoff games according to a typical NFL weekly schedule while the computer simulates all other games. That's the only downfall. It's the only thing missing. Imagine playing a season and tracking team standings/rankings and individual stat rankings and all that stuff. But I guess at the time it was kind of unheard of and didn't really come into full effect until the 90s. It would seem this would be the same for all pro sports games.
If this game could be extended to include full season play and playoffs play (not just individual games), it would be perfect. I wonder if anyone already has done this? Will have to 'google' to see. YearZeroNIN 2016-02-16 0 point DOS version Lately, I had been thinking about this particular game, for some reason. I remember being in 1st or 2nd or 3rd grade when playing this game? I recall the simulation aspect as being very unique and very cool. I recall a 'screen pass' that could catch the opposition by surprise and you'd score a long-reception TD?
We probably threw it away since the 80s, I think, but it's beyond genius excellence that, nowadays, with broadband internet, you can find some of these real old-school classics. I noticed '4th and Inches' which rings a bell; I think I may have played that one also when I was a little kid. [email protected] 2013-01-25 0 point DOS version Hey Everyone Played this game in college I still update and make a greatest teams disk so when the super bowl is played i look at the current teams that made it far and ask my self.
Are they worthy to bethe best ever for their franchise. I say no this year. I have 31 teams now in my game as i have added teams to the game engine. I also have made my own college teams using the nfl plays.
Wish i had college football plays i listed my email as my user name. Any one interested please contact me for more information about my Nfl challeng teams and i can send them off if they wish.
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