Haunted House (1972)

by Christopher
4 minutes read

Summary

Haunted House: The Original Survival Horror Game

Released in 1972 for the Magnavox Odyssey, Haunted House is one of the earliest examples of a horror video game. It’s a simple but effective game that still manages to be creepy today.

The goal of Haunted House is to guide a pair of explorers through a haunted house and find the exit. The house is filled with ghosts, bats, and other spooky creatures that will try to harm the explorers. The explorers can defend themselves with a gun, but they only have a limited amount of ammunition.

Haunted House is played using a deck of clue cards. Each card shows a different room in the house, and the players must use the clues on the cards to figure out how to get to the exit. The game also comes with an overlay that the players can place over the TV screen to create a more immersive experience.

Haunted House was a critical and commercial success. It was one of the most popular games for the Magnavox Odyssey, and it helped to establish the horror genre in video games. The game has been ported to a number of other platforms over the years, and it remains a popular classic today.

Gameplay

Haunted House is a simple game to learn, but it can be difficult to master. The players must carefully manage their resources and make strategic decisions in order to survive.

The game is played in real time, and the players must constantly be on the lookout for danger. The ghosts, bats, and other creatures in the house will move around randomly, and they can attack the players at any time. The players can defend themselves with a gun, but they only have a limited amount of ammunition.

The players must also be careful not to get lost in the house. The rooms are all interconnected, and it’s easy to get turned around. The players must use the clues on the clue cards to figure out how to get to the exit.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics in Haunted House are simple, but they are effective in creating a spooky atmosphere. The house is dark and shadowy, and the ghosts, bats, and other creatures are all suitably creepy.

The sound effects in Haunted House are also effective in creating a spooky atmosphere. The creaking of the floorboards, the howling of the wind, and the screams of the ghosts all help to create a sense of tension and suspense.

Legacy

Haunted House is one of the most important games in the history of video games. It was one of the first horror games, and it helped to establish the genre. The game has been ported to a number of other platforms over the years, and it remains a popular classic today.

Haunted House has been praised for its simple but effective gameplay, its creepy atmosphere, and its historical significance. The game is a must-play for fans of horror games and video game history.

Conclusion

Haunted House is a classic horror game that still manages to be creepy today. The game is simple to learn, but it can be difficult to master. The players must carefully manage their resources and make strategic decisions in order to survive. The game’s simple graphics and sound effects are effective in creating a spooky atmosphere. Haunted House is a must-play for fans of horror games and video game history.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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