This game and I go way back, even though I never truly got to play it until now. My journey with it began when I first saw the ads in Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) years ago. Fast forward to the early 2000s, I managed to get my hands on a used 3DO. Unfortunately, this was before my eBay days, and finding games for it was nearly impossible. So there I was, a 3DO console with no games to play. Around 2005, I stumbled across a ripped version of the PC game. Sadly, it was incomplete, no FMV cutscenes, and the game crashed as soon as I reached the mansion. A few more years later, I tried it again, this time using a 3DO emulator. The controls were clunky, and the graphics didn't live up to what I remembered from those magazine ads. Frustrated, I set the game aside and forgot about it until this past October.

Finally, this past October, Nightdive Studios released a stellar remaster of the game. It's a fantastic mix of the best elements from both the 3DO and PC versions. The level design is from the PC version, while the enemies are from the 3DO version (though you can switch back to the PC enemies if you prefer). Nightdive also did an excellent job upscaling the FMV sequences, making it feel like you're playing the very ad that sparked your imagination 30 years ago.

The gameplay is spot-on, featuring updated controls that feel as smooth and intuitive as any modern FPS. Enemies don't act like bullet sponges, and ammo is plentiful, so you're never left scrambling. The music is a mixed bag. It's immersive at times, enhancing the atmosphere, but occasionally it feels out of place. The audio faithfully preserves what the original developers intended, for better or worse.

The level design is massive. It's essentially one enormous interconnected level, and there were moments I found myself hopelessly lost for an hour or more. At one point, I relied on an old walkthrough, only to realize I hadn't ventured quite far enough during a long trek. Finding the endgame doors was another challenge. I ended up doing this before releasing Seth, then learning the paths to them afterward.

The level design is massive. It's essentially one enormous interconnected level, and there were moments I found myself hopelessly lost for an hour or more. At one point, I relied on an old walkthrough, only to realize I hadn't ventured quite far enough during a long trek. Finding the endgame doors was another challenge. I ended up doing this before releasing Seth, then learning the paths to them afterward.

The storyline is peak '90s cheese, but not unbearable. There's a sense that the developers were onto something, and it wouldn't surprise me if the creators of BioShock drew some inspiration from this game. While the structure of the story is solid, it lacks the polish to make it feel natural or cohesive. The comedic elements are hit-or-miss, often leaning more toward dry humor or awkward execution. Sometimes it feels like bad acting or misplaced dialogue. That's my only major gripe. If the story had taken itself a bit more seriously, this game could've been a massive hit. For instance, the clowns look terrifying but literally tickle you to death, and there's a toilet sound effect when you kill a zombie maid.

All in all, this remaster is a fantastic tribute to the original, whether you played the PC or 3DO version back in the day. As a bonus, it includes the classic PC version, though it's a shame the original 3DO version isn't available. If you're in the mood for a nostalgic dive into the '90s, this forgotten relic is worth your time.

****Intresting glitch i noticed if you awaken Seth then exit, and start a new game. Seth with be waiting for you at the beginning of the game.