Summary
- Platforms: ZX Spectrum
Humphrey: A Surreal and Disturbing Survival Horror Classic
Humphrey is a 1986 survival horror adventure game developed and published by Psygnosis for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC. The game follows the story of Humphrey, a film actor who is attacked by his fans and must escape from a haunted house.
Humphrey is a unique and unsettling game that stands out from other survival horror games of its era. The game’s atmosphere is dark and oppressive, and the player is constantly on edge, never knowing what horrors await them around the next corner. The game’s puzzles are also challenging and require the player to think outside the box.
One of the most striking things about Humphrey is its use of color. The game’s world is awash in bright, garish colors that create a sense of unease and disorientation. The player is never quite sure if what they are seeing is real or a product of Humphrey’s damaged mind.
The game’s story is also quite disturbing. Humphrey is a deeply troubled individual who is struggling to cope with the trauma of his attack. The player is forced to witness Humphrey’s mental state deteriorate as the game progresses.
Humphrey is not for the faint of heart. It is a challenging and disturbing game that will stay with you long after you finish playing it. However, if you are a fan of survival horror games, or if you are looking for a truly unique and unsettling experience, then Humphrey is definitely worth checking out.
Gameplay
Humphrey is a point-and-click adventure game. The player controls Humphrey as he explores the haunted house, solves puzzles, and avoids enemies. The game’s puzzles are challenging and require the player to think outside the box.
The game’s combat is simple but effective. Humphrey can use a variety of weapons to defend himself against enemies, including a gun, a knife, and a flashlight. The player must use their weapons wisely, as ammunition is scarce.
Setting
Humphrey takes place in a large, dilapidated mansion. The mansion is filled with strange and disturbing objects, including paintings of Humphrey’s dead fans and furniture that is covered in blood. The mansion is also home to a variety of enemies, including ghosts, zombies, and monsters.
The game’s atmosphere is dark and oppressive. The player is constantly on edge, never knowing what horrors await them around the next corner. The game’s use of color also contributes to the sense of unease. The mansion is awash in bright, garish colors that create a sense of disorientation.
Characters
Humphrey is the protagonist of the game. He is a film actor who is struggling to cope with the trauma of his attack. Humphrey is a deeply troubled individual who is haunted by his past.
The player also encounters a variety of other characters in the game, including Humphrey’s fans, his doctor, and the ghosts of his dead fans. These characters provide the player with information about Humphrey’s past and the events that led to his attack.
Themes
Humphrey explores a number of dark and disturbing themes, including trauma, mental illness, and death. The game shows the devastating effects that trauma can have on a person’s mind. Humphrey is a deeply troubled individual who is struggling to cope with the horrors that he has witnessed.
The game also explores the theme of mental illness. Humphrey is clearly suffering from some form of mental illness, and the player is forced to witness his mental state deteriorate as the game progresses.
Finally, the game explores the theme of death. Humphrey is haunted by the deaths of his fans, and he is constantly reminded of his own mortality. The game’s ending is ambiguous, and it is up to the player to decide what happens to Humphrey in the end.
Legacy
Humphrey was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its dark atmosphere, challenging puzzles, and disturbing story. Humphrey has been cited as an influence on a number of later survival horror games, including Silent Hill and Resident Evil.
Humphrey is still considered to be one of the best survival horror games ever made. The game is a unique and unsettling experience that will stay with you long after you finish playing it.
Review Score
6/10
