Dreams in the Witch House (2023)

really compelling! I missed a lot of stuff and got what the achievements outright tell me is the worst ending. (I'd say that's debatable, maybe I wanted to summon an elder god.) rating may go up on a second playthrough. as it stands, I feel unsatisfied. it's my fault I'm unsatisfied, but I can't just assume it's 4 stars when I explore it further now can I? I mean really.

[UPDATE] bumping this up to 4 after a second playthrough. got an unambiguously good ending this time, which does feel odd for a Lovecraft tale (triumphing over horrors is antithetical) but, dang, rooting around in those horrors while managing health, sanity, and money brought on an obsessive determination that was, uh... thetical.

Most people say this game lasts 20 hours. I got to the end in 8 hours. Not because I breezed through it. Rather, I'm pretty sure I simply didn't do what I was supposed to do. I refused to kill the child but still ended up going through the void. I couldn't make any progress on any of the mysteries, not even really to start them. I feel like I must have missed a lot but I don't think I did.

Anyway, this game is based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft. It's a point and click mystery but unique in that it seems that most events and mysteries are randomly triggered so there's no direct route through. You have to maintain a variety of stats for your character (Walter Gilman as in the book) including hunger, injury, health, sanity, and sleep, as you try to study for exams and keep various terrestrial and supernatural ills away. I think maybe I spent too much time trying to maintain Walter's health and didn't pursue the few mysteries I came across.

Anyway, this is an interesting game, certainly. Getting the endings could make for some replay value.