Well this was different.

I came in expecting a janky clive barker undying (2x Ameri-jank!) and that is pretty much exactly what you get from Nosferatu: Wrath of Malarkey. But there are some twists that are worth mentioning in this game, its a bit unique.

First, its not too big. The game takes place in a mansion with three wings. The wings are Accessible as you explore and complete the previous one and there are man keys to find to explore the wings. The Courtyard Connects the Count's Castle

Second its not too long, you have a limited amount of time to complete the game. (about 7-8 hours, i think real time, you will do it in less though) Your task is to rescue a wide swathe of relatives before sunrise, finding as many as you can. Locations of relatives, weapons and enemies are pseudo-random. But they are still supposed to be located in the same wing. (Apparently your family had the idea to go to Abandoned Haunted Castle's for a Christmas BBQ. Bad idea.) You can check on your progress on the relatives Pressing TAB, as well as see your keys

The random locations of objectives and enemies spawning out of the woodwork in levels that have rooms with slightly different layout on a new game is a neat combo that reminded me of Adventure (Atari 2600), its really the next natural step of progression for the concept, as it involves further elements (the hostages, weapons) as well as expands the game world that you play in. It also works really well for a game that is both built around jumpscares, and completing the main objective in a certain time span.

Even though its a novel idea to use time this way, I'm not too crazy about using time factor in ANY game in the sense of it affecting your campagin. Why, even in some games such as JRPGs where it particularly seems suited to deliver alternate endings... It always gives me a sense of dread and anxiety. Perhaps then in Nosferatu it is appropriate. The trouble is the randomization of it all, which can make the game more simple or hard. On some runs its very hard to find a doctor needed to heal the first hostage (you have like 30 mins) and you have to collect another hostage about midway through the game that is also tough to do.

One nice bit about this game that is kinda sublte is when you meet a hostage for the first time they greet you with a silent movie type dialogue screen. The game is roughly based off the movie of the same name, which was a silent film. I cannot say if that is coincidence or deliberate design but the nature of these screens indeed look like something out of a silent movie (albeit with smaller text and more wordy.) and i really liked that.

There are also notes on lore and various beasts scattered around that are mostly filler, but its a nice touch.

The combat is also pretty janky and absurd if not crap. Your weapons actually work well to do the job. You get these revolvers and flintlocks that lose ammo they are loaded with if you reload (or when full) the hud has backwards numbers and is hard to read. Sometimes models of enemies are bugged and flip around bounce and dont move entirely right. the jump scares are cool and well done the way 'spawns' can happen at any time you enter a room. (The game is worth playing for this alone imo, because its a simple idea and execution that i dont think i've really seen emulated elsewhere the way it is done in this game) Another nice things I liked is how instead of having modern nav markers, You have green lights at certain doorways or areas that lead you to the next area (or help lead you back to the hostage rescue zone). It's pretty much a lifesaver in this game (and it doesnt break immersion or feel really out of place) Green is Good

you get the jist of this game in a solid 30 mins and despite the good things it has, it just doesnt really grab one because even with the nice details it feels like a generic FPS at best. during my playthrough the first hostage was saved, but the second one died because I could not figure out how to get the two following me back to the gate. I also had half the time remaining. This was a bit frustrating. I started a new game and did better but still couldnt save some of the hostages. You aren't required to, but it just feels lame to not do so. I am unsure if you actually have to save any of the hostages and can actually just let the game idle until it's 6 am and the sun rises for the final show down. I like to think you don't have to do that, but it might be possible.

I do declare chap, are these NPCs worth the trouble? Why I could end you both myself...

I wouldn't reccomend this game to most people. It has some great design ideas, and overall holds itself together quite well, its just not that much fun because it feels like a subrate FPS from waaay long ago. Being free from any real narrative (or even a sense of atmosphere) that leaves little to grow fond for and its just not that terribly engaging.

I'd be lying if i said I didnt have fun playing this crap tho. This game is all about the jumpscares and creepy music that ensues when a monster is in the room with you... (sometimes behind you) and the music and monster simultaneously alert you to this fact. :D It has a nice haunted house feel and its easy to take wrong turns as you trawl through the mansion. This is more annoying than actually unsettling though.

I played it with a widescreen fix and a guide with some basic planning on how to go about saving hostages. (both reccomended) nice short game, and was a rather different experience than what you usually see in an FPS.