Phantasmagoria

Why 1 star? In Win 11 this game gives me a black screen and a spinning blue circle and no amount of reinstalling fixes it. It freezes up so hard I can't even break out with Ctrl+Alt+Delete, even though I have that set to be on top of other applications. The only recourse I have is to forceably power down the machine. I recommend avoiding until this is fixed. I will keep trying and update my review if things change. Game Rating (3.5 Stars): Unlike a lot of the other ratings, I actually think this was a decent game for the time. Live-action cutscenes, graphics made from a combination of photos and art, pushed content limits, the music is decent, sound effects are alright, the storyline isn't bad for the time, and the acting is no worse than its contemporaries. While easier than most of the period, it does have the "Sierra adventure" signature of confusing you on how to progress and easy deaths (at a certain point), but hey, that's how most of the advenutre games from long ago were - less-than-forgiving. If you are a fan of horror and like old (1980's - 1990's) adventure games from the likes of Sierra and LucasArts, then I would recommend this game. No, it isn't a 100+ hour adventure like modern games are, but it's an alright game and falls somewhere between an adventure game and a visual novel in terms of interactivity.

Amazing job getting it to work on a current machine! Would be nice if somewhere it stated how to get to the SCUMM menu tho, which is Ctrl+F

This was (and is still) my favorite game of all time. I could write an entire review, but it's just something that you have to experience for yourself. Take your time and enjoy it. Look, read, and watch everything for the full effect.

I hesitated for quite some time in getting this game, and even when I did finally purchase it, I felt at first that I wouldn't play it for very long (esp. since it was from 1995). Once the first chapter passed, I continued playing the game with an ever growing interest. First of, the main turn off in any point and click game (in my opinion) is sub-par and campy acting, which was the exact opposite of what this featured. The acting was believable, creating some very memorable character such as Harriet and Cyrus. The heroine was someone to easily feel sympathy for, esp. in the final chapter. Overall the acting and storyline is what won me over. It was like playing an enjoyable B horror movie. One thing I didn't like is the way the last chapter is formulated such that once the climax starts, you can't go back to any saved game prior to it; it keeps you in the chase scene until you make all the correct choices. This however is minor. Oh, and as far as gruesomeness, some parts were pretty DISGUSTING! Trying not to be a spoiler, but some of the nastiest scenes occur in the last chapter if you make incorrect choices.

If you are looking for a game that captures you from the start and enthralls you in total horror... then you should look for another game. Phantasmagoria doesn't so much shock you as lets its little tendrils seem in slowly over the course of the game. Then once it gets outright scary it has some of the most chilling scenes of almost any videogame. Impatient players should stay away but patient players will find the pacing to be almost ingenius.