Call of Cthulhu: Shadow of the Comet

Incredibly tedious and frequently unresponsive controls. I really wanted to like this one, but didn't enjoy playing at all.

I am half way in the game (more or less) and even if the story seems ok, the mechanics are so old that are frustrating. A word to the wise: for the love of the great old ones, please learn the keyboard shortcut for the actions (the game will NOT tell you what they are, but Internet can help), otherwise the game will drag on for ages, while you search for pixel clues using the mouse

This is one of the best hidden gems in the adventure genre, even if it needs to be looked at beyond the first impression, and definitely approached with patience. The daytime sky you see upon arriving in Illsmouth looks quite cheesy (it fares better at other times of day) and, most importantly, the game was not built with a mouse in mind. It is not a complicated interface, but it was an odd and inexplicable choice even back in 1993; the only saving grace is the dotted line that appears to indicate when an object that can be picked up is near the protagonist. This CD version adds a mouse interface but, while a laudable attempt to fix a mistake, it is clearly slapped onto what was already there, making it still better handled with the keyboard at times; the character cannot even move diagonally, making the occasional chase or escape sequences very awkward, not to mention a labyrinth where you will likely need some save scumming. This version is also voiced but, given the quality of the voice acting, I can only recommend going into the options at the first opportunity and leaving only the text. If you can look past the interface and get used to it, you will be immersed in a great mystery/horror adventure. Besides its name, the town of Illsmouth seems like a nice place, but this is a [b]Call of Cthulhu[/b] game, so… even if it does not directly adapt any of Lovecraft’s works, it draws heavily from the Mythos, including appearances by everyone’s favourite, hard-to-pronounce deities. The graphics feature many clearly digitized and retouched elements, within the technological limits of the era; close-up portraits are great, but many blatantly reference known actors (I really like how a character who is very helpful to Parker is modeled after Lovecraft himself, though). The audio tracks are not numerous, and yet they combine perfectly, creating an atmosphere I have felt in few other adventures of the time. Even the interface, flawed as it is, helps convey a sense of dread and urgency, with the odds stacked against the player as the passing of Halley’s Comet heralds doom. Of note is that this version also has a mini-game: an interactive visit to a Lovecraft museum. Consult the guides to learn how to run it. At the ridiculously low prices it is often sold (as of this writing, €1.19), this is one of the best Lovecraftian games and is worth even a double dip if you already own it on GOG, as I do—even if that version remains the definitive one. You can find the manual among the Steam files, but there you also get other flavour extras and even the original floppy version, a must for people like me who, among other things, complain about releases of LucasArts games not offering the EGA versions.

Se você quer ficar louco vai na floresta e fica escutando o som de looping dos pássaros com o volume no máximo por 20 minutos E se tu quiser só dar umas risadas continua em frente porque eu me caguei rindo com o som do índio teleportando

норм

Call of Cthulhu: Shadow of the Comet is a classic Lovecraftian adventure that still delivers where it counts. Yes, it’s dated, but compared to many point & click games of its era, it’s a bit less cumbersome and easier to settle into. The real strength here is the story: a slow-burn mystery set in a deeply unsettling version of New England, packed with paranoia, cult intrigue, and that signature creeping dread. It does a great job capturing Lovecraft’s tone without feeling like a shallow reference fest, letting the horror build naturally through exploration and dialogue. The atmosphere is thick, the world feels cohesive, and the narrative pulls you along in a way many games of the time struggled to achieve. It’s not without its rough edges, but if you’re into classic adventure games or cosmic horror, this is an essential piece of the genre’s history that still holds up surprisingly well.

устарело

Decent voice-acting, beautiful pixel art, nice midi-music! However, slightly clunky controls, labyrinth puzzles, and so, so, so many ways to die. I'd recommend this one to big adventure game fans. If you like the old games from 90's and/or enjoy Lovecraft's stories, get this one!

I bought this on sale because I enjoyed Prisoner of Ice but never got around to this.