Harvester... Controversial and memorable to a fault. It's hard to discuss the game without giving too much away, or even where to start but years after playing it, I still remember it. I remember the disturbing content, the gore, the frustration, the quotes, the ending... it's certainly something you'll remember. The setting is all kinds of messed up, like a deranged suburbia without completely throwing out the small-town setting, the normal outside to disguise the horror within. The atmosphere is there, and it's all done with that lovable FMV style. It doesn't look like dog biscuits, and the graphics outside of that is still pretty fine. It's pretty memorable all over. Gameplay on the other hand, is a mixed bag. It can be divided into two parts: Adventure and action. Adventure is classic point-and-click with some occasional obtuse puzzles. It's... good overall, certainly not gamebreaking but some of the puzzles can be a head-scratcher. But the combat is horrible. Melee collision is questionable, ranged weapons are god in either your hands but especially in the enemies, and if you run low on heal items, then good luck. BUT there are cheats, which I used, that grant you invulnerability or other perks. Just the invulnerability as I did not have patience for that combat, especially later on. The story is... memorable. I used that word a lot but the story blends with the atmosphere and setting. It can be divided into pre-lodge and Lodge. Pre-lodge is great, disturbing, and compelling with it's cast. The little stories in their own day and the lingering effects of your actions in the following days, the disturbing revelations and progression. The Lodge... that is something else. It's polarizing, but it was well worth experiencing despite the increased combat. Between 3/5 and 4/5, flawed but memorable. Worth checking out to see what the controversity is but go in blind. Although keep a guide handy, and a cheat or two just in case.
