Shivers II: Harvest of Souls

This is one of the most immersive and atmospheric games I've ever played. As an interactive fiction experience, it's amazing how well this holds up after 24 years. Top-notch storytelling!

This is a review based on memory when first playing through it. I have not played it recently to comment if it has stood the test of time. The most memorable part of the game is the music, still sing parts to this day. The original CD was also an audio disc with all the songs. (spoiler... Maybe) And the fact the songs play a role in the game is great, even if it took too long to figure that out. The puzzles aren't memorable, but much more accessible, than say Riven, for me at the time. Full 360 was a great experience over Riven (before Exile) and is helpful to the immersion. The health is harmful to the game experience.

It is a Sierra game, so it has to be good. And it is. But it is hard to follow the best game of all time in Shivers I. It begins to rely more on the live video animation, but is not as committed as, say, Gabriel Knight 3 or Phantasmagoria. It is successful in delivering the creepy effect and does a great job of tying in the theme of having to connect puzzles in order to progress. If you liked Shivers I, you should also enjoy this game immensely. Just don't have expectations for the same level of greatness, because it doesn't exit.

great game, some puzzles are hard

It would be an interesting game, but the constant burden of the health meter takes away from the exploration