In the world of horror literature, H.P. Lovecraft is a name that is synonymous with the macabre and the bizarre. Known for his weird fiction and cosmic horror, Lovecraft's stories often explore themes of ancient alien civilizations, the fragility of human sanity, and the inescapable nature of cosmic forces beyond our comprehension. One of his famous themes is the haunted house, a trope that has been explored by authors for centuries. However, Lovecraft manages to put his own twist on these tales, infusing them with his trademark cosmic horror and dread.
Even the when and how of running into certain scripted events can be altered by Walter's state of mind. And for a point-and-click to carry with it the idea that "no two runs are the same" is so fascinating.
Walter Gilman, a student of mathematics and folklore at Miskatonic University, takes an attic room in the Witch House , a house in Arkham thought to be cursed. Several times his dreaming self encounters bizarre clusters of iridescent, prolately spheroidal bubbles , as well as a rapidly changing polyhedral figure, both of which seem sapient.
However, Lovecraft manages to put his own twist on these tales, infusing them with his trademark cosmic horror and dread. One such story is "The Dreams in the Witch House," which centers around the cursed Gilman House in Arkham, Massachusetts. The protagonist, Walter Gilman, is a student of mathematics and folklore at Miskatonic University, who decides to rent a room in the infamous house known for its dark history and occult associations.
REVIEW: Dreams in the Witch House wows with inventive point-and-click mysteries
In the world of witchcraft, everything is not what it seems. For example, I hopped into what ostensibly looks like a classic point-and-click adventure game, only to find out it has open world, Sims-like, and Persona-like elements baked in, and it's all set in an H.P. Lovecraft story full of mysteries and thrills. Is that relatable to anyone else? No? That's just because you haven't played Dreams in the Witch House yet. After my seven hours spent traipsing through the arcane streets of Arkham, I gotta say. that combo of ideas WORKS.
Just the Facts
Developer: Atom Brain Games
Publisher: Bonus Stage Publishing
Platform(s): PC
Price: $10.99
Release Date: Feb. 16, 2023
Review key provided by publisher.
For years, I've imagined one day building my very own point-and-click adventure in Adventure Game Studio, the community-driven old-school adventure game engine that tons of modern point-and-clicks have used to advance the genre. Atom Brain has stretched the engine in ways I couldn't even imagine with their debut release, Dreams in the Witch House.
Atom Brain, the one-man Finnish game studio comprised of Antti Laakso, brings this horror survival adventure game to life through a Lovecraftian lens.
Based on the 1933 H.P. Lovecraft short story of the same name, Dreams in the Witch House serves up tons of fun little in-jokes and references to Lovecrafian lore. My favorite is the random "all-you-can-eat fish buffet" event that has your character visit Innsmouth and its. interesting fishermen. Dreams in the Witch House tells the story of Walter Gilman, a freshman at Miskatonic University in the mysteriously magical town of Arkham, Massachusetts. With a passion for math, Gilman specifically picks Miskatonic because of the particular focus of his developing theory: the relationship between complex mathematics and ancient magic rituals. Renting the attic room of an ancient boarding house — a strange room with a slanted wall and whispered rumors about its past inhabitants — Walter begins his life in Arkham. And what happens next is up to you.
". Dreams in the Witch House provides something fresh to one of the oldest genres out there. Atom Brain's genre-blending point-and-click offers a tight package with tons of nuance and enjoyment to be pulled from future playthroughs."
Dreams in the Witch House has an unorthodox approach to narrative, unlike what you'd see in your traditional point-and-click adventure game. Rather than serving a straightforward narrative path, with a handful of logic puzzles and escape room-like obstacles in your way, Witch House is more about uncovering the story at your own pace. There are randomized elements to your schooling and occult adventures: your courses, city events that you can find out about by reading the paper, and even where certain characters you can meet will be at any given moment.
Even the when and how of running into certain scripted events can be altered by Walter's state of mind. And for a point-and-click to carry with it the idea that "no two runs are the same" is so fascinating.
Publisher: Bonus Stage Publishing
As Gilman delves deeper into his studies and becomes enamored with the theories of non-Euclidean geometry, he begins experiencing vivid dreams and eerie apparitions in his room. Lovecraft masterfully creates an atmosphere of unease and terror as he describes the strange occurrences in Gilman's room. The dimensions of the room seem to shift and warp, and the walls are adorned with esoteric symbols and sigils. The ghostly presence of Keziah Mason, a witch who was tried and executed during the Salem witch trials, haunts Gilman's nightmares and slowly drives him to the brink of madness. What sets Lovecraft's story apart is his ability to seamlessly blend elements of horror and science fiction. He doesn't rely on cheap jump scares or monsters lurking in the shadows; instead, he crafts a narrative that explores the boundaries of space and time. Gilman discovers that the strange angles and dimensions of the witch house are actually portals to other dimensions, allowing ancient cosmic beings to manipulate reality and torment mortal minds. The main idea of "The Dreams in the Witch House" is Lovecraft's exploration of the intersection between science and the supernatural. He introduces concepts such as non-Euclidean geometry and uses them to create a sense of cosmic dread, as Gilman realizes that there are forces beyond human comprehension at play. Lovecraft's story serves as a reminder that knowledge and curiosity can sometimes lead to unimaginable horrors and that there are ancient, malevolent beings lurking beyond the veil of our reality. In conclusion, "The Dreams in the Witch House" is a quintessential Lovecraftian tale, blending elements of horror, science fiction, and the occult. With his vivid descriptions and atmospheric prose, Lovecraft creates a haunting story that explores the boundaries of human understanding and exposes the fragility of our sanity in the face of cosmic forces..
Reviews for "The Haunting Melody: Music and Madness in HP Lovecraft's Witch House"
1. John Doe - 2/5
I must admit, I am a fan of H.P. Lovecraft's works, but this story simply didn't hit the mark for me. The whole witch house theme felt forced and cliché, lacking the originality and depth that Lovecraft is known for. The plot felt disjointed and hastily put together, making it difficult to engage with the characters or the story. Overall, I was disappointed with this particular piece from Lovecraft.
2. Jane Smith - 3/5
As a fan of Lovecraft's dark and atmospheric storytelling, I was excited to read this witch house themed story. However, I found it to be rather underwhelming. The prose was still beautifully written, with Lovecraft's signature style, but the execution of the plot left much to be desired. The story lacked a clear direction and the buildup of suspense was inconsistent. While it had its moments of eerie atmosphere, it ultimately fell short of my expectations.
3. Sam Thompson - 2/5
I was quite disappointed with this witch house themed story by H.P. Lovecraft. It felt like a rehashed version of his previous works, adding nothing new or unique to the genre. The characters were bland and their motivations were difficult to understand. The pacing was slow and tedious, making it a struggle to maintain interest throughout the story. Overall, it was a forgettable reading experience that left me wanting more from Lovecraft.
4. Emily Wilson - 2/5
I had high hopes for this witch house themed story by H.P. Lovecraft, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story lacked depth and failed to evoke the sense of dread and cosmic horror that I associate with Lovecraft's works. The plot was predictable and the characters felt one-dimensional. I found myself disengaged from the story and uninterested in the outcome. While Lovecraft's writing style was still present, it couldn't salvage this lukewarm and uninspiring tale.
5. Michael Johnson - 3/5
Having enjoyed Lovecraft's other stories, I was intrigued by the idea of a witch house themed tale. However, I found it to be rather average. The atmosphere and descriptions were still vivid and well-crafted, but the overall story lacked originality. It followed a predictable structure and the ending felt disappointing. While it wasn't a terrible story, it certainly didn't live up to Lovecraft's other works.