Summary

• Release Year: 1982
• Genres: Adventure, Puzzle
• Platforms: Atari 2600
• Developers: Atari
• Publishers: Atari, Polyvox

Haunted House (1982): The Granddaddy of Survival Horror

Released in 1982 for the Atari 2600, Haunted House is widely regarded as one of the earliest examples of the survival horror genre. The game was developed by James Andreasen and published by Atari, Inc., and it quickly became a hit with gamers.

Gameplay

Haunted House is a top-down adventure game in which the player controls a pair of eyes that must navigate a haunted mansion to recover the three pieces of an urn. The mansion is filled with all sorts of spooky creatures, including ghosts, bats, spiders, and even a giant eyeball. The player must avoid these creatures while also solving puzzles and finding keys to unlock doors.

One of the things that makes Haunted House so unique is its atmosphere. The game’s graphics are simple, but they are incredibly effective at creating a sense of dread and suspense. The mansion is dark and eerie, and the sound effects are suitably creepy.

Legacy

Haunted House was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to popularize the survival horror genre. The game has been ported to numerous other platforms over the years, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers.

Haunted House has also been cited as an influence on many other survival horror games, including Resident Evil and Silent Hill. The game’s simple but effective gameplay and creepy atmosphere have stood the test of time, and it remains one of the most influential horror games ever made.

Graphics

The graphics in Haunted House are simple, but they are incredibly effective at creating a sense of dread and suspense. The mansion is dark and eerie, and the use of black and white adds to the game’s atmosphere. The character sprites are also well-designed, and they convey a lot of personality.

Sound

The sound effects in Haunted House are suitably creepy. The game’s soundtrack is minimal, but it is effective at creating a sense of tension and suspense. The sound of the wind howling outside the mansion is particularly effective at setting the mood.

Gameplay

Haunted House is a top-down adventure game in which the player controls a pair of eyes that must navigate a haunted mansion to recover the three pieces of an urn. The mansion is filled with all sorts of spooky creatures, including ghosts, bats, spiders, and even a giant eyeball. The player must avoid these creatures while also solving puzzles and finding keys to unlock doors.

One of the things that makes Haunted House so unique is its atmosphere. The game’s graphics are simple, but they are incredibly effective at creating a sense of dread and suspense. The mansion is dark and eerie, and the sound effects are suitably creepy.

The gameplay in Haunted House is challenging, but it is also fair. The player has to be careful to avoid the creatures in the mansion, but they can also use their wits to outsmart them. The puzzles in the game are also well-designed, and they add to the game’s challenge.

Overall

Haunted House is a classic survival horror game that still delivers scares today. The game’s simple but effective gameplay, creepy atmosphere, and challenging puzzles make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Score: 8/10

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots