The 7th Guest is the latest game to get a re-imagined version of a classic puzzler in Virtual Reality. This is something that we have seen done well and no so well in the past but, from the trailers it looked like this was being handled well by the team at Vertigo and Exkee.
Release Date: October 19th 2023
Developer: Vertigo Studios Rotterdam / Exkee
Publisher: Vertigo Games
Price:US $29.99 / CA $39.99 / €29,99 / £24.99
Reviewed On: PlayStation VR 2
* Code Provided For Review *
A HAUNTING TALE
Six guests have been invited to a large and scary looking mansion, by a reclusive toy maker, Henry Shauf. But, there is something sinister going on in the mansion, as Henry hides in the shadows, as dark power pulsates throughout the mansion. The questions are can all the guests the survive the night, what did Henry actually want with them and most importantly… who is The 7th Guest?
CAREFULLY PLANNED PUZZLING
The team have kept The 7th Guest to its roots, with the gameplay focusing on the puzzles in each room around the house. With you completing puzzles to unlock other rooms, and of course as you move forward the puzzles will become increasingly challenging.
However, with the move into Virtual Reality, the puzzles have been re-designed to take full advantage of the new technology and possibilities offered through VR. Each of the puzzles have been carefully planned to connect the the main story and the six guests in the game.
Completing the puzzles will bring the house back to its former glories and continue the story, which is told perfectly through the narrative and volumetric video captured characters. Which follows the original story written by Matthew J. Costello, and brings back original characters like Martine Burden, Brian Dutton, Edward & Elinor Knox and others.
There really isn’t much more I can divulge in the gameplay without spoiling the puzzles, but as aforementioned they are well planned out to each characters personality and are all completely different to any of puzzles solved previously.
A SIGHT TO BEHOLD
One area that looked great in the trailers and I was hoping looked just as good in the game was the 3D live-action performances, that as mentioned are portrayed by ghostly volumetric video capture – and I am happy to report it really does look that good. The mix of the ghostly and haunting mansion, the characters and it transforming in front of your eyes as you complete puzzles is a sight to behold. The team really have brought the world to life with little visual touches that will make you love exploring the mansion.
This huge and eerie mansion is really brought to life and gives that haunting and your always being watch feeling through great use of atmospheric audio. With every little creek and flickering light making you feel like you are not alone and like something could be lurking in the shadows. The outstanding live-action capture is also paired with fantastic voice-acting and performances from every character, that really allows the haunting story to be told perfectly.
COMFORT
THE VERDICT
Summary
The 7th Guest has been perfectly re-imagined in VR by Vertigo Studios and Exkee. They have used the new technology to bring this old game back to life like never seen before. From the re-designing of the puzzles and it being clear that every puzzle has been carefully planned out, allowed them to bringing the mansion to life in Virtual Reality. With the live-action capture and the ghostly appearance of them fitting in perfectly with the setting on the game, to finish of that eerie and haunting feel. The outstanding performances from all the cast really made sure the story didn’t play second fiddle to the gameplay either. Everything comes together perfectly to make this visceral and haunting story be told like never before.
