Memories of Being the 7th Guest

 

In 1993, I was enthralled with a game called The 7th Guest. Turning all the lights off, blaring the suspenseful, macabre audio through large stand alone speakers, and watching as the creepiness unfolded on my large monitor, I spent evenings with Mr. Henry Stauf, the toy maker and his deceased dinner guests. 

I watched as ghostly figures played out scenes, trying to give me clues as to who the 7th Guest was at dinner on the evening in question. Henry Stauf's mansion is haunted by six ghosts. These ghosts were invited by Stauf to his home for a dinner party. Watching video scenes and following a skeleton hand summoning my presence in other rooms in the house, many hours flew by before I realized the time in this reality. Many an evening was spent deciphering codes and moving pieces around to solve puzzles. 

The party guests reveal the answers to puzzles throughout the stately home, only to find their life comes to an end for solving these puzzles. An elaborate trap, for certain, and they find out soon enough that Stauf was an evil man behind his innocent title of toy maker. As all of the ghosts and the disembodied voice, portrayed by you, search the rooms and attempt to find answers to various puzzles, one may wonder, who is the 7th Guest?   

If you love puzzles, this game is for you. Next up? I'm going to play the 11th Hour. I would love to continue the series, but never have ventured into the second one. I've seen there is a third addition to the franchise now, but I know nothing about that one. There could be another offering, but maybe that one is a game that has taken a step too far into the sequel sequence, as disappointed movie fans find periodically in their favorite franchise. At the other end of the spectrum, it could be a game that is just as intellectually fun as this one. Who knows until you try?  

I downloaded the game onto my laptop. Not the large monitor situation I had before, but it works. The puzzles keep you thinking, with plenty of clues throughout the mansion to help you along. There are answers and walkthroughs for each step of course, but I didn't want to find them. I completed the game before without help, and want to again. Fortunately, there is no recollection of solving these puzzles to give me spoilers. I'm happy about that! Far too many years have passed. 

Anyway, my review on this game is left with a high two skeletal thumbs up, and I'll even throw in an eyeball as well. Great game! 

When I downloaded my version, I went for the Classic Edition. There is the classic and the anniversary as choices for the download. But, I was surprised. If you download the Anniversary Edition, the Classic Edition is given free of charge. This was through the Steam site. Click on the link above. 

I'm sure others exist out there, but the game I played many years ago was the first invention of the game, filled with unparalleled graphics and ghostly voices from actors throughout. I wanted to remember it as it once was. It gave me hours of play. More than that actually. The game evolved not only into hours, but weeks and then into a month or two. The puzzles are difficult enough to keep the mystery alive. 

Not my typical post, but I had to share the game as some awesome memories were formed in playing this game. Especially with lights off, music up, and the chills will keep coming! I loved the game, but it's fun to solve the puzzles with others too. Maybe experiencing some of our past isn't quite so bad. The quaint, "old school" play makes me smile.