Battlemaster

A day in the life...

Battlemaster was released in 1990 by PSS, but I don't recall playing it. Which is a little odd, because I remember seeing the screenshots and being captivated by them. They showcased an overhead-action RPG featuring battles against insidious creatures, including Orcs, Spiders, Elves, giant insects, and more. These are the types of games that really appeal to me, so I'm baffled why I let it slip by. What a weirdo!

Booting it up for the first time presents an impressive title that sets the scene for what appears to be a festival of bloody gore. We can be any of 16 adventurers from four races: human, elf, dwarf, and orc. Some venture solo, whereas others are part of a clan. Beginning my first game was fun, with good graphics and a user interface I found intuitive and easy to grasp. Selecting the warrior seemed a great choice, but I made the foolish decision to touch the water, which is oddly deadly - instant death (and you only get one life).

So I restarted as an Orc; an utterly disastrous move, as I was hated by everyone, so I died quickly. Once again, I restarted, this time as an elf, which was confusing because this fella wasn't alone - his party ran around like maniacs. Then my elf fell into a pit that suddenly appeared without a warning. Instant death!

This wasn't going well. So, I did what no guy does: I read the manual. This pamphlet is short, but engaging, with a background story that is both predictable and intriguing. The gameplay basics are nicely explained, including a guide for newcomers, which I appreciated. Also explained are the differences in gameplay styles that concern commanding troops (if applicable) and negotiating with NPCs for items or safe passage.

Incidentally, I chuckled at a section of the manual about the four different races. It's humorously candid and helps you decide who you want to be. I cannot read this blunt piece of text without smiling...

Dwarves hate Elves and Orcs,

Elves hate Dwarves and Orcs,

Humans like no one but despise Orcs the most.

Orcs hate everyone!

I guess it pays to read the manual? Who'd have thunk it? Let's see the first screenshot...

The user interface isn't baffling at all. In fact, it's quite superb:

1) These are our main stats.
2) Depending on the situation, we can access weaponry and inventory.
3) The journey icon is replaced with Parley (returns when the quest is done).
4) The next three text options are relevant for commanding troops.

5) The green area is a scanner; we're the red cross/other characters are yellow.

6) There is an info box that provides location names and helpful tips.

A Cruel World

The first thing that struck me about Battlemaster was how you're hurled straight into the action without a hint of guidance. You then notice the frantic pace at which enemies move about. It's quite chaotic as they run into view, firing off missiles before legging it. The key to surviving is teasing them out and away in smaller groups. Otherwise, you will be mobbed by a bloodthirsty pack of medieval lunatics with a death wish.

This instantly means you must practice with the controls to get anywhere. Battlemaster employs 8-way movement using the keyboard, mouse, or joystick. The mouse is terrible, and I got nowhere with my joystick, but I need a new one, so that could be why. However, I instantly took to the keyboard, which you can redefine with 8-way controls via the numeric pad. I preferred keeping it simple, using the cursor keys.

Exploration is always fun and part of what makes any RPG a fascinating experience. What's better than discovering a new place with potential for enemies, people, treasure, weapons, etc? Well, hold your horses and slow down because you won't get very far without keeping your eyes on the scanner...

• Use it to get an idea of where the enemy is, and begin walking towards them - with a ranged weapon at the ready. If they get close, hit the spacebar to pause and flip to a melee weapon.
• Sounds like real-time with pause? Kinda, and you should use that!!
• Hidden traps are a big thing in Battlemaster, but there is never any indication of where they might be. It's stupid because you only get one life, so falling into a chasm that appears from nowhere is infuriating! So tread softly. Thankfully, their locations are static and easy to remember.

Let's take a break and view a lovely woodland scene where life is peaceful and quiet...

There is an option to parley, but wait, I see a bottle on the ground?
Should I take that, or will it anger the locals into a frenzy?

Riverdale

Battlemaster's world is massive and splits into dozens of sections accessed via a world map. Once you muddle through the initial confusion of the first level, which generously teaches you the joys of hidden traps and punishes you for paddling in a stream (groan), you will blast through the following early stages pretty quickly. Every area is not only visually different but also moves the story forward in its own unique way.

It’s always worth exploring thoroughly to see who is waiting for a chat and whether there is anything remotely helpful, like armour or food. Each zone is fairly compact and has a specific task you’ll need to complete before progressing (use the journey icon, which remains greyed out until the tasks are completed).

Don't expect this game to be a pushover, as most battles devolve into chaotic scuffles where you're hammering the fire button and praying for a win. But think before raising your sword, not everyone is ready to fight. Assuming you win and don't fall victim to a hidden trap, then you will enjoy making progress because each area is uniquely interesting. That said, not everything makes complete sense, like stumbling across food the locals left lying around, hoping you'd politely ignore it. Erm, no! Why would anyone do that???

Once back in the world map, you can move to another adjacent area to continue pillaging! As you can see in the next screenshot, the game shows the available places you can (currently) travel. It's like Baldur's Gate, as you cannot travel huge distances without traversing through. And I liked that a lot!

A huge number of places are waiting for you, dear adventurer. Let's pause for a screenshot...

This map displays the various locations linked via currently available stages.

Graphics & Sounds

I'm not usually bothered by flashy visual effects in an RPG, as the adventure lies in the storyline, characters, action, and exploration. But let's be honest, they're good to have, and Battlemaster's landscapes range from lush woodlands to rocky deserts, and they look impressive. However, it’s the monster sprites that I really love. They’re fantastic and very much in the style of Dungeons & Dragons, constantly providing a 16-bit feast for the eyes to highlight the ghouls encountered, and this is where Battlemaster pleases me.

Sadly, the gameplay window is only about half the screen, with the user interface occupying the other half. That's understandable for a game like this (and helpful), but I'd have expected better scrolling in return. Don't get me wrong, it's good enough, but still a little bit disappointing if I'm honest.

The audio is a mixed bag. There is no title music, but PSS didn't skimp on the sound effects by using crunchy samples. I like the cries of people dying with such elaborate samples, which is hugely entertaining.

One last screenshot of me avoiding death (for once) before the gripping conclusion...

From the start, Battlemaster shows how cruel it can be. Hidden traps!

CryptO'pinion

Battlemaster certainly plunges you into the thick of the action from the very start. The manual gives a few helpful nudges and starter tips, but nothing really prepares you for the sheer brutality of the first area. Choose your character wisely based on their skills, weapon types, and whether you want backup or to go solo. Then spend a little time mastering the controls and getting used to scrapping with the enemy.

Even once you've got the basics down, you're still likely to meet a quick and ridiculous end, which is hard to grasp at first. It might be a mob of goons hiding in a cave who leave you no chance to react, or maybe it’s an arrow from off-screen, or the classic blunder of sipping water from a deadly river. Worse still, death may come because of a perfectly hidden trap that you had no way on God's green Earth to detect.

Every step you take will be like walking on eggshells, and you will suspect everyone and be wary of everything. Nothing scares me more than a bottomless pit suddenly appearing from out of thin air, but these are always located in the same place(!). Once you grasp how pointlessly illogical these initial traps are, then progress will be made to other areas. Regardless, save your game regularly, as you will be reloading a lot.

Battlemaster's emphasis is always on action and solving obscure puzzles. Discovering new lands is very exciting, as you see the story unfold with new places, tales, and people. Plus, there is a myriad of different beasts just waiting to be killed. Also, if you’ve built a good team, the squad mechanic actually works quite well - even if the AI is a bit thick. Controlling them feels a bit clunky at times, but I enjoyed giving the orders!

When I first played Battlemaster, I didn't care for it. You're thrown in at the deep end, and the pointless traps become tiresome. However, I liked the setting and the opportunity to travel to unique places, so I stuck with it. I'm glad I did. You will get to wander strange lands, slay monsters galore, and do it all in the name of a baloney storyline. It's fantastic, so I’m giving it a trapdoor-dodging, monster-mashing 85%.

• Here are a few screenshots and download links from Atari Legend or Atari FTP Archive.
• I have an RPG Quest group listed on the right, and many other "Quest" groups!

I love going into other people's homes uninvited.

Hey, I see a ladder. I'm sure nobody will mind if I take that...

I found a hidden cave and went inside. This is a dangerous place!!

I only took this screenshot because I liked the graphics so much lol

This is where I'm currently up to, and stuck. How can I get through the door?

Transylvania

Hammer House

I’ve been a fan of this adventure game for years, even though I’ve never played it. I sound crazy, right? Visually, it has a blend of 8- and 16-bit styles I’ve always found curiously captivating (something you only get from early games). Plus, it reminds me of the adventures I played as a kid - The Hobbit and Twin Kingdom Valley. I know I'm bonkers, but I’ve always fancied having a go just to wander around its "spooky" locations.

Transylvania was originally developed in 1982 by Antonio Antiochia for Penguin Software's Apple II. Our version was ported by Robert Hardy and released in the ST's infancy. Considering the ST was 0 years old, it still punched out classics like Ultima II, Megaroids, Mudpies, Time Bandit, and loads of adventures.

It feels weird to finally play something that’s been sitting on my bucket list for decades. I’m not expecting anything on the level of Magnetic Scrolls, but I’m still geekily excited to finally boot it up!

So, after that glimpse into my dark mind, let's crack on and take it for a playtest...

This is where the adventure begins, with nothing more to see than a stump!
However, for illogical reasons, you will return later for a knock or two...

This location leads in four directions, but not always in the way you imagine.
I only got to read the note here because of the dreaded Werewolf chasing me!

The Adventure Begins

Let's start with the (very) original tale: The Royal Court of Wallachia needs a champion (here we go again). The king’s in a panic because his daughter, Princess Sabrina, has gone missing. He’s calling for a hero to bring her back, but it means trekking deep into the creepy forests of Transylvania - a dark place, probably with many monsters. Still, for a hero like us, rescuing damsels in distress is just another day on the job!

There are two ways to control your adventure: you can type using two-word commands - "get item", "open object", "enter place", and the like. Sentences can increase in length and complexity, but I rarely found the need, if I'm honest. Optionally, you can use the mouse to list your inventory and explore using the compass directions. However, you aren't able to use the mouse to interact with items or objects in the main window. It's a bit strange to have mouse support, so I recommend sticking with the keyboard for everything.

A tree stump marks the beginning of our adventure and leads to the first location, which appears completely pointless. So, moving on, the next screen provides the first clue: a brief note explaining that the princess dies at dawn. Yep, that’s all we get, and from here on out, we’re pretty much on our own. So, like any good adventurer, we start exploring, hoping to find more clues or anything useful along the way.

The woodland area isn't large and consists of select locations, with a few notable spots to check out. You are likely to wander in circles, passing by the cabins, an old wagon, and a grave. The cabins have a piece of garlic, which could come in handy later. The wagon’s got a coffin on the back, but it’s nailed shut for some reason. And the grave, though drawn quite terribly, surely has some kind of dark purpose? Who knows...

Around this point, you might start noticing a Werewolf showing up every now and then. As you'd expect, this creature is fast, so you’ll need to react correctly with the next command. That means leg it out of there using one of the available exits. He will still follow in the background and will eventually catch up, so when that happens, just repeat the process. If I'm honest, he pops up way too often (which starts to get dead annoying), especially when you’ve got to keep going in and out of the same places to get something done.

A bit further on, we find a house. Inside, there is a loaf of bread and a gun! That’s when I thought I might be getting somewhere. Unfortunately, the gun’s not loaded. Nearby is a castle, with its one lone vampire; perhaps that garlic might come in handy? Be quick, as you only have a couple of moves before he sinks his teeth into your neck. It's now that things are coming into play, but I need bullets for my gun!

Sadly, after wandering about like a fool and getting nowhere, I feel I've hit a dead end. On top of that, I wasn’t finding any useful items. I did come across a goblin with a key, but he wasn’t having any of it - and looked a bit freaky! Also, I wanted to get into that coffin on the wagon - not something I thought I would ever say. However, I couldn’t find anything to open it with. Later, I found a frog beside a lake and realised that was the way out (after rescuing the princess). If she's not with you, the King’s guard sends you straight back.

I had a great time getting this far, but I reached my natural end and failed to venture further. Plus, I was getting fed up with that Werewolf showing up, near enough, on every screen - I never did find a silver bullet to kill him!! Also, I couldn't find a way to open the coffin, which was curiously placed for a reason that became obvious later. For a small adventure, there wasn’t much to work with. So... I gave up and ended it there. Gutted!

Or did I? Well, carry on scrolling after you've browsed these next screenshots...

I thought locations like this would have housed tools to logically solve puzzles.

Nope. And that damn Werewolf turned up AGAIN!

Oddly, I'm including this screenshot simply because I love the artwork.

At least the Werewolf stayed away long enough for me to capture it. There's a first!

GameFAQs

As you can imagine, I was pretty frustrated with my lack of progress. Getting into the castle felt like a big deal, and I thought I was on the verge of breaking the adventure's back. But the vampire shows no mercy, and he’s quick to dig his teeth into my neck. I also had this nagging feeling that I’d missed something obvious with that coffin on the wagon - why couldn't I open it (Grrr!!). And don’t get me started on the cabin with the deer's head - it drove me mad, no matter how many times I pushed, pulled, or kicked that stupid ornament!

So... I ended up going online and found a walkthrough (linked below). I don’t usually like doing that because it spoils the point of playing a game. But, in all honesty, I felt like I’d wasted enough time aimlessly wandering around an empty woodland that I originally imagined would be full of spooky creatures!

Their guide is pretty much spot-on for the ST version, and it solved the obvious and not-so-obvious puzzles I was struggling with. Honestly, some of the puzzles I never would’ve figured out in a million years. For example, the cabin puzzle made absolutely no sense. Oh, and watch out for the eagle with its grabby claws!

I later discovered that the princess requires a potion to wake her, as she's spending the last moments of her life drugged up on Rohypnol. Once she’s awake, she follows you completely, so head to the lakeside boat to sail away. It’s a bit of a rubbish ending, but thanks to GameFAQs, I got to see it after all my anxiety.

It’s nice to finally finish a game, even if it was with a walkthrough!! Screenshot time...

Other than heading southward, I wonder what might have triggered that?
The game has many moments which made me smile.

Here is another - this room contains one item, garlic. I ate it here lol.

I'm sure you can guess the use inside the castle? Come on, sure you can!

The CryptO'pinion

It may sound like I didn't enjoy Transylvania, but I actually did! It’s a fun adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously, with intriguing puzzles that I really liked. And, considering it's an early game, it looks good with decent graphics that draw before your very eyes. Well, ignoring a few locations like the graveyard, which are terrible. I love this olde effect that's not nearly as slow as you initially dread. But, let's have a whinge...

Being called Transylvania, I expected lots of Hammer House of Horror cliches with bloody gore, corpses, and maybe a ghostly haunted house. But nothing of the sort. Ignoring the Werewolf and the castle's Vampire, there's not much "horror". In fact, other surprising oddities don't fit the horror theme whatsoever - like a giant frog, a tormenting goblin, and (wait for it) aliens who appear in their spaceship. Quite bizarre!!

Plus, many locations are oddly designed, making mapping tricky since the game ignores its own paths. For example, if you walk south from the forest to the lakeside, you can’t go back north as the trail no longer exists! There are other examples that make no sense and somewhat spoil the experience.

Despite everything, the most annoying part of the whole adventure has to be the werewolf. It's a good feature, but he is constantly lurking, ready to pounce, far too often. That frequency needed to be lowered, as running away only prevented the inevitable in this never-ending chase. I needed to find a silver bullet for my gun!

Okay, I feel I should be a little lenient, as this was released the same year the ST was birthed! Sure, it has its faults, but it's an engaging adventure and not too large, so it's impossible to feel lost or easily bored. Sadly, I was disappointed by its so-called horror theme, but that didn't stop me from having fun killing the vampire. But I never did find a silver bullet - I would have loved to have blown away that damn Werewolf!!

Overall, I'm glad I finally got to play this anomaly after all this time! Even if it didn't quite live up to my expectations, I bet a younger me in 1985 would have loved it. Regardless, if you are after a bit of gore and fancy a decent horror-themed adventure, then check out Ooze, Uninvited, and The Curse of Rabenstein. Gratefully, I dedicate this review to my friend Carlos, who kindly bought me a few coffees recently! :-)

Transylvania is flawed but amusing for budding adventurers, so I'd rate this a surprisingly warm 69%.

• Atarimania has the official download & manual https://www.atarimania.com/transylvania.html
• 8BitChip has an excellent hard drive version https://atari.8bitchip.info/SCRSH/transylv.html
• I wouldn't recommend this! Until you're stuck https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/transylvania/
• Le Fétiche Micro has a fantastic walkthrough recording https://youtu.be/LeFeticheMicro

I thought I'd post one more screenshot of this damn Werewolf!

This is a puzzle I would NEVER have sussed out without the guide!

Snow White is finally awake and heading home to see her dad, the king.

Unfortunately, that didn't go down too well...

"After a precarious few minutes, the Journey goes smoothly. A somewhat tired and bewildered Princess Sabrina graciously thanks you as you return to her kingdom. The king is suitably impressed and asks that you be sent to deepest Africa to save his other daughter. That evening, you sneak out in peasant dress, plotting your rescue of Sabrina from the king's castle... Well Done!!! THE END."

Phantasie - Day 1

I've arrived on the Isle of Gelnor

Some of you might remember the fun I had sharing my progress in Cosmos Chronicles, Sword of Kadash, Galdregon's Domain, Uninvited, and others. No? Oh... Well, I enjoy RPG and Adventure games and was in the mood for something new to experience. Lately, I’ve spent plenty of time crawling through LARN, Rogue, Nano Cave, etc. All brilliant, but none offer that sense of a larger "journey" or long-term quest.

I was craving something fresh to really sink my teeth into. Then I remembered a video by Into The Vertical Blank about Phantasie, which I’ve never played. You’ve got to love Jeff’s enthusiasm! He made it seem like a grind worth taking on, and that was all the encouragement I needed to start on my own adventure!

Let's embark on this new adventure, a journey I've missed out on for the past four decades...

I find myself on an island called Gelnor, which is riddled with danger at every turn. I can see an entrance to a distant dungeon amongst the lush woodlands as I enter the town of Pelnor. Seeking answers, I step into the local inn, where a hushed conversation unveils a grim truth. I learn that a sorcerer called Nikademus who uses Black Knights to wreak havoc across the island.

Should I rise to the challenge and seek to defeat Nikademus, freeing this island from his reign of terror? Of course, I will. Yet it’s only a matter of time before I come face to face with the Black Knights. So I need allies - strong and fearless - because no one has ever triumphed against them. To the Guild, then. Let’s see who has the courage to stand with me on this journey!

The basic objective is to explore and kill lots and lots (and lots) of monsters and collect nine runes. These will help to defeat the Black Knights. I see a dungeon... Odds are, I need to plunder that to find the first!

Hmm, I feel I should warn you that this won’t be over quickly, and I’m bound to make plenty of rookie mistakes. But rest assured, I'm enthusiastic and always welcome to receive any feedback along the way. So, over the coming months, I'll post regular updates on how I'm getting on. Unless, of course, I give up! O_o

Yes, folks, here I am, starting something new and daring enough to share it with the world.

Let’s hope I don’t end up looking like a complete knob.

• Into The Vertical Blank website https://intotheverticalblank.com
• Worth The Grind video https://youtu.be/xFsqb6I4v54...
• 8BitChip has an excellent hard drive installable version https://atari.8bitchip.info/phantasie.html
• Hang Loose has access to different Phantasie floppies @pigwa
• Atari Legend has the manual on a lovely Sewer Doc Disc https://www.atarilegend.com/phantasie
• Look to your right for all the previously mentioned ST games ~~~>

Uninvited ...not a walkthrough!

Helping Hands

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There are many walkthroughs all over the internet, but blindly following one makes playing any game rather pointless. Used as a reference, they're helpful to get you past those sticky bits that have you stumped - BUT NOTHING MORE. And I know all about that feeling all too well for this bloodthirsty adventure!

Anyhow, did you read our review of Uninvited? Go on, check that out :)

Uninvited is tough, and it's an understatement to say that some obscure puzzles are impossible to figure out because they make no sense whatsoever! Also, there are many areas used exclusively as a red herring - lots of dead ends with even more dreaded deaths (Ugh, remember that giant spider under the church?).

I figured I'd try to map what I can and provide some helpful tips that might help you out...

Generous Big Tips

---

* After escaping the car, look around before entering the scary mansion.

* Once inside, you'll notice an unlit fire and comfy chairs. Rest a while.

* Inside the library, there is an interesting book to read.

* Anything readable is often helpful for information, words to speak and numerical combinations.

* The hallway on the first floor has access to bottles for critters and phantoms.

* Hey, there's a spirit in the hallway on the ground floor, that's handy!

* Any books left lying about need to be examined and read.

* Flowers can be a sign of respect, especially when placed at the graveside.

* I always carry a box of matches with me because you never know...

* Aren't knives great for cutting stuff up? Vandals use them to slash things like chairs.

* Did you find a box in the Master's bedroom? If you're stuck, highlight the 'hidden' text below with your mouse: "pick up the box from inside the locked cabinet. This needs to be burnt in the fire"

* Gems make great keys for (erm) aptly shapely keyholes.

* The greenhouse is another enigma. Highlight this text if you're stuck: "use the watering can on the empty plant pot which is on the table on the left. Pick up the plant pot afterwards"

* Those dogs aren't that bad, they just need to hear a friendly voice. Reading is always helpful, right?

* If you don't go to church then you should - but the chapel is so vague and if you need help then highlight this text: "light the candlesticks and pick up the Cross. Don't forget to speak to the head..."

* The maze is its own entity of annoyance. Explore if you must but this is the part of the game where I "cheated" to find my way through. I know, I know but at least I'm honest! So, if you're fed up wandering around the maze like a fool, then highlight this text for directions: "north, west, west, north, north, west, west, north, north, east, east, north, north, east, east".

* It's here that you stumble upon a zombie! This is an easy kill but only if you were listening and paying attention right from the start? After the car explodes, you needed something. Can you go back? Ha!

* The maze still isn't over with and after killing the zombie, these are the directions to continue on: "East, east, south, south and you better have brought those flowers!". Hint? "only birds go inside a bird cage"

* Now we can leave the maze. Can you remember the way out? Okay, here you go: "north, north, west, west, west, west, south, south, west, west, south, south, east, east, south, south, east, east, south, south".

* Ice caves need melting. If you need help, highlight this text: "that brass pentagram which you thought was pointless is actually the way to melt ice. I know, I know... what a rubbish puzzle".

* Remember that little red demon that flies by every so often? Highlight time: "he loves cookies and can be found in the Recreational room on the ground floor".

* Dead body? Police might assume the worst so why not try dumping it?

* Drowning in the bathroom? Look up and keep trying.

* One final tip for the last task? John 14:6 ... Yep, you need a †

I hope my hints helped you out in some of those stickier moments. But please don't ruin this game by mindlessly following a walkthrough. Trust me, this adventure has its annoyances, but it's worth playing properly. Except for the maze, which is a stupid part of the entire quest - cheat all you like inside that place!

Okay, I'm being harsh because it's actually doable -but- only if you map it. This will take several attempts because of three things: 1) deadly creatures lurking in the maze. 2) dead ends. 3) Well, I won't spoil this one!! So, the best thing to do is draw a map and keep saving. This way, you can keep nudging your progress forward with each go. Yeah, it will take a while, so wouldn't it be nice if someone had already mapped it?

The Map!

---

Yeah, I've managed to map all of the rooms, paths and locations (that was fun!). It's complete, so download it. This took me several weeks to finish, so let me know what you think in the comments...

Yes, this image is merely a partial thumbnail. The download link is above, so grab it now!

Puzzling Puzzles

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As I said in my review (go on, you know you wanna click it), there are many puzzles, but some are plain stupid. Success is always about being a good adventurer and leaving no stone unturned, so make notes and don't rush. Yep, slow down, grab that pen and paper, and you will do just fine (he says).

Before we see the absurd puzzles, let's take a look at some of the better ones I enjoyed...

Why would I need a paralysed spider? Well, isn't everyone scared of spiders? Everyone!

This is a game of experimenting, so look everywhere and why not see if... something... works...

Yeah, you sussed it out! But now a peculiar haunting dude shows up. Scare him away!

Interesting information is everywhere, so leave no stone unturned. Or chair.

What would you say to a gypsy? Well, I know, but let's be nice! (hint: read everything)

Absurd Puzzles

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See how painless those puzzles are thanks to a little common sense? Plus, it always pays to read documents and books, as the information gathered will help. However, there are a few puzzles that are vague, so they stump even the most hardened adventurer. Heck, I don't think Spock could suss out some of these killers.

Melting ice, the church, and the greenhouse sections made no sense, and you know how I feel about the maze. There are some infuriating dead ends that are a pain in the bum, especially when you're worried about the "impending darkness". These aren't difficult puzzles, more like impossible, which is illogical to me.

Okay, you've waited long enough, let's take a look...

Stone faces talk, really? Candles scare away ghosts - in the daylight - that was weird!

One wrong move in the maze, and you've guessed it. Death! Did you save the game?

Another dead end that results in your gruesome death. So glad I save regularly!!

I cannot stress just how impossibly irritating this puzzle was. Cool ghost drawing though!

Perhaps the most annoying death of all - I had no chance without referencing a walkthrough :(

Funny Faces!

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Let's end on a high note with some silly pixel art. Uninvited is stuffed with great artwork, but several screens are downright ridiculous, like the bathroom with its ugly miniature dolls hanging on the wall. Also, there are a few dodgy-looking monsters that certainly don't suit the "horror" theme (David Marsh, what were you thinking?). Quite odd compared to the other drawings, which are fantastic by comparison.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy this last batch of incredibly silly screenshots...

Attack of the killer tomatoes? Oh, and this was another ridiculous puzzle!!

Green fingers make this monster happy. Apparently...

One final demon to contend with, but only if you steal from the chapel! Whaaaat?

The weather brightens, and everyone is happy. Another day saved. Be happy.

lol yeah, that's me alright. And no, I don't have a printer!

What? Do you want even more?

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Well, how about access to a hidden room? It's called the Art Gallery and is of no use whatsoever to your progress, but it is fun to visit. There is zero chance of stumbling upon it by accident due to the obscure way it's unlocked. Only by sheer luck, I spotted it on The Cutting Room Floor (works on Mac and Atari ST).

What I liked about this secret is that it's actually twofold: not only can you unlock and access the room, but you can also alter the girl in the painting. Give a guy half the chance... Yep, I'm talking boobs!

Again, thanks for stopping by, and remember to comment or share this article with the ST world...

As secrets go, this was nice to uncover, but... It's meaningless to your adventure.

Bring along the correct brush and hey presto, boobs!!!