Summary
- Release Year: 1987
- Genres: Adventure
- Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, Mac
- Developers: Infocom
- Publishers: Infocom
The Lurking Horror: A Lovecraftian Masterpiece of Interactive Fiction
Released in 1987 by Infocom, The Lurking Horror is a text-based interactive fiction game that takes players on a terrifying journey into the depths of cosmic horror. Inspired by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft, the game creates an immersive and atmospheric experience that will stay with you long after you finish playing.
You begin the game as a private investigator called to the isolated New England town of Dunwich to investigate the disappearance of a wealthy local man. As you delve deeper into your investigation, you uncover a sinister plot involving ancient beings and unspeakable horrors.
The Lurking Horror is a master class in interactive storytelling. The game’s parser is incredibly powerful, allowing you to interact with the world in a natural and intuitive way. You can explore the town of Dunwich, talk to its inhabitants, and collect clues to help you solve the mystery.
The game’s atmosphere is one of its strongest points. The writing is evocative and descriptive, creating a vivid sense of place and mood. The sound effects and music (in the Amiga version) add to the immersive experience, creating a truly unsettling and oppressive atmosphere.
The Lurking Horror is also a challenging game. The puzzles are complex and require careful thought to solve. The game world is unforgiving, and there are many ways to die. However, the challenge is fair, and the sense of accomplishment you feel when you finally solve the mystery is immense.
Lovecraftian Horror at Its Best
The Lurking Horror is a faithful adaptation of Lovecraft’s cosmic horror mythos. The game features many of Lovecraft’s signature themes, such as the insignificance of humanity in the face of the vast and unknowable universe, the existence of ancient and powerful beings that exist beyond our comprehension, and the inevitability of madness and doom.
The game’s setting is also quintessentially Lovecraftian. Dunwich is a small, isolated town with a dark history. The townsfolk are superstitious and xenophobic, and there are rumors of strange goings-on in the surrounding woods.
The Lurking Horror is a truly terrifying game. The atmosphere is oppressive, the puzzles are challenging, and the stakes are high. If you’re a fan of Lovecraftian horror, then you owe it to yourself to play this game.
A Technical Marvel
In addition to its storytelling and atmosphere, The Lurking Horror is also a technical marvel. The game was written using Infocom’s Z-machine, which allowed it to be ported to multiple platforms. The game’s parser is incredibly powerful, and it allows for a wide range of player input.
The Amiga version of the game was the first Infocom game to feature sound effects and music. The sound effects are used sparingly, but they are effective in creating a sense of atmosphere and tension. The music is also excellent, and it helps to set the mood for the game.
Conclusion
The Lurking Horror is a masterpiece of interactive fiction. It is a terrifying, atmospheric, and challenging game that will stay with you long after you finish playing. If you’re a fan of Lovecraftian horror, then you owe it to yourself to play this game.
Review Score: 9/10
Pros:
- Immersive and atmospheric
- Complex and challenging puzzles
- Faithful adaptation of Lovecraft’s cosmic horror mythos
- Powerful parser
- Excellent sound effects and music (Amiga version)
Cons:
- Can be unforgiving
- Some puzzles may be too difficult for some players
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
