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House of Hell

House of Hell Game Cover
82%Game Brain Score
atmosphere, humor
story, gameplay
93% User Score Based on 40 reviews

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House of Hell Game Cover

About

House of Hell is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Tin Man Games and was released on January 19, 2016. It received very positive reviews from players.

"House of Hell" is a survival horror game that traps players in a haunted mansion. Players must navigate through the mansion, solve puzzles, and avoid various monsters and supernatural beings to uncover the mansion's dark secrets and escape. With permadeath and limited resources, players must approach each playthrough strategically. The game features retro-style graphics and a chilling atmosphere, harkening back to classic horror games.

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House of Hell screenshot
House of Hell screenshot
House of Hell screenshot
House of Hell screenshot
House of Hell screenshot
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93%
Audience ScoreBased on 40 reviews
atmosphere5 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • Faithful adaptation of the classic Fighting Fantasy gamebook, capturing the original's essence while enhancing the user experience with digital conveniences.
  • Atmospheric storytelling and minimalist art style create an immersive horror experience that engages players deeply with the narrative.
  • The integration of traditional gamebook mechanics with modern features, such as automatic dice rolls and inventory tracking, makes the gameplay smoother and more accessible.
  • The game's difficulty can be frustrating, with many paths leading to dead ends and requiring specific steps to progress, which may deter some players.
  • The lack of a map and confusing house layout can make navigation tedious, especially for completionists looking to explore every option.
  • Some players may find the reliance on dice rolls and the turn-based decision-making slow and less dynamic compared to other gaming experiences.
  • story
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "House of Hell" is a chilling interactive narrative set in a haunted mansion, where players navigate a branching storyline filled with sinister secrets and deadly threats through key choices. While the atmospheric illustrations enhance the mood, the game prioritizes storytelling and pacing over flashy graphics, delivering a well-crafted experience that can feel somewhat linear despite its multiple outcomes. Overall, it offers a solidly written, albeit occasionally obtuse, dark tale with replay value, especially for those interested in its achievements and lore.

    • “At its core, House of Hell is a horror-themed interactive narrative that immerses players in a chilling story set within a haunted mansion filled with sinister secrets and deadly threats.”
    • “The gameplay revolves around making choices at key narrative junctures, steering your character through a branching storyline with multiple possible outcomes.”
    • “Rather than relying on flashy graphics or sound effects, the game leans on its storytelling, pacing, and well-crafted writing to deliver scares and tension.”
    • “While the game shines in its faithfulness and storytelling, it does have limitations.”
    • “The branching paths, while offering replay value, can also feel somewhat linear at times, with certain story beats remaining fixed despite different choices.”
    • “In conclusion, I don't feel that I should recommend it due to its obtuse nature unless you want a relatively tame dark story with ghosts, demons, and spooky skeletons.”
  • gameplay
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in "House of Hell" combines traditional gamebook mechanics with digital enhancements, allowing players to make choices that influence a branching narrative. While the turn-based decision-making and text-heavy format may feel slow for those seeking fast-paced action, the immersive horror experience is enriched by a compelling story and challenging mechanics, including a punishing "fear" system. The inclusion of save points offers a degree of leniency, but players must still navigate carefully to avoid dire consequences.

    • “The gameplay revolves around making choices at key narrative junctures, steering your character through a branching storyline with multiple possible outcomes.”
    • “What makes House of Hell stand out is its integration of traditional gamebook mechanics with digital enhancements.”
    • “Its compelling narrative, combined with accessible mechanics and atmospheric presentation, creates an immersive horror experience that challenges players to think carefully about their choices while navigating a sinister and unpredictable world.”
    • “Additionally, players seeking fast-paced action or more dynamic gameplay might find the turn-based decision-making and text-heavy format slower than expected.”
    • “As a gamebook, the gameplay is quite simple; you get to roll your stats and fight/decide where to go, which redirects you to different paragraphs.”
    • “Now, this digital version is fortunately generous in handing out regular 'bookmarks' (read: save points) which ensure that you can essentially cheat and skip over any rooms which prove to be a source of naught but a one-way ticket to the funny farm, but even my shameless exploitation of such mechanics has led me to a point where I need to have fluked the attainment of a particular item or it's game over anyway.”
  • graphics
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game feature a blend of original black and white artwork and newly colored versions, which some players feel detracts from the charm of the gritty style while others appreciate the enhanced visual appeal, particularly the vivid depiction of blood and gore. The use of the Unity engine allows for various in-game features that complement the art, and the background music effectively enhances the overall experience. Overall, the combination of Steve Jackson's writing and Tim Sell's artwork creates a haunting atmosphere, making the visuals a significant aspect of the game's storytelling.

    • “The blood and gore of the old illustrations looks splendid rendered in full color, and this legendary artwork was very controversial at the time.”
    • “The game is exactly as it was all those years ago, and not only are the original black and white artworks here, but full color versions as well.”
    • “Tin Man Games' coloring of the original black and white artwork was a pleasure to see, and it does add something to it (particularly the now red blood), but at the same time, the black and white art (which can also be viewed in the game) is still very effective.”
    • “Great art as always, although this time coloring them took away some of the charm of the gritty black and white art style.”
    • “Tin Man Games' coloring of the original black and white artwork was a pleasure to see and it does add something to it (particularly the now red blood), but at the same time, the black and white art (which can also be viewed in the game) is still very effective.”
    • “Rather than relying on flashy graphics or sound effects, the game leans on its storytelling, pacing, and well-crafted writing to deliver scares and tension.”
  • atmosphere
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game excels in creating a tense and immersive atmosphere, effectively utilizing sparse yet impactful illustrations and sound design to enhance the horror experience. Players appreciate the compelling narrative and accessible mechanics, which, despite some flaws, contribute to a captivating and atmospheric adventure that keeps them engaged and on edge. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that charms fans of interactive fiction and choice-driven horror.

    • “From the moment you take shelter in the eponymous house of Drumer, the game masterfully builds a tense atmosphere that keeps you on edge as you try to survive the night.”
    • “Sparse but atmospheric illustrations by Tim Sell punctuate the story, effectively setting the mood without overwhelming the narrative.”
    • “Its compelling narrative, combined with accessible mechanics and atmospheric presentation, creates an immersive horror experience that challenges players to think carefully about their choices while navigating a sinister and unpredictable world.”
    • “It's a case of an adventure that has some considerable problems, which are forgivable when you appreciate its overall atmosphere.”
  • music
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The background music composed by Adrian Watkins enhances the game's atmosphere, complementing the text and artwork effectively. While the music is presented in mono, it contributes positively to the overall experience, especially in the context of the game's improved features and engaging combat system. Overall, the soundtrack is a notable addition that elevates the interactive fiction experience.

    • “The background music added by Tin Man Games, composed by Adrian Watkins, suits the text and artwork well.”
    • “Adding music and automation to the combat system and keeping track of hints and other features make this game an improvement on the original material, unlike other interactive fiction products which, in their attempt to add features, somehow subtract from the sum of its parts.”
    • “Background music is in mono.”
    • “(Only this has a soundtrack to it.)”
    • “It's a perfect digital alternative: automatic dice rolls, counts, links between the pages, 3 difficulty levels, background music... the writing is okay, mostly simple, but the game itself isn't; you'll spend your time trying to figure out how to escape from a labyrinthine house in which everybody and everything wants to kill you.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players appreciate the game's branching paths for their potential to enhance replayability; however, some feel that the experience can be somewhat linear, as certain story elements remain unchanged regardless of the choices made.

    • “The branching paths provide significant replay value, allowing players to explore different outcomes and experiences with each playthrough.”
    • “Each decision you make leads to unique storylines, making every replay feel fresh and engaging.”
    • “The variety of character builds and strategies encourages multiple playthroughs, ensuring that no two experiences are the same.”
    • “The branching paths, while offering replay value, can also feel somewhat linear at times, with certain story beats remaining fixed despite different choices.”
    • “After completing the game once, I found little incentive to go back and experience it again, as the outcomes felt too similar.”
    • “The lack of significant changes in gameplay mechanics on subsequent playthroughs made it hard to stay engaged.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity, with players often finding themselves in ridiculous situations that can lead to frustration. The inclusion of "bookmarks" allows players to bypass particularly challenging or nonsensical sections, but even with these aids, the game can still present unexpected challenges that contribute to its comedic tone.

    • “This digital version is generously handing out regular 'bookmarks' (read: save points) which allow you to essentially cheat and skip over any rooms that lead to a one-way ticket to the funny farm. Even my shameless exploitation of such mechanics has led me to a point where I need to have fluked the attainment of a particular item or it's game over anyway.”
    • “The humor in this game is absolutely delightful, with witty dialogue and absurd situations that keep you laughing throughout your adventure.”
    • “I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, with hilarious character interactions and unexpected comedic moments that make every playthrough enjoyable.”
  • grinding
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect in this installment of the Final Fantasy series to be particularly tedious, as navigating the confusing maze-like house requires learning a specific order that can take many hours and multiple playthroughs to master.

    • “This is nothing new to the Final Fantasy series, but in this game, the house is a confusing maze with little to no hints on how to navigate it in a particular order. Learning that order is tedious and would take anyone many hours and multiple playthroughs.”
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Frequently Asked Questions

House of Hell is a role playing game.

House of Hell is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

House of Hell was released on January 19, 2016.

House of Hell was developed by Tin Man Games.

House of Hell has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its atmosphere but disliked it for its story.

House of Hell is a single player game.

Similar games include The Forest of Doom, Sorcery! Parts 1 & 2, Fabled Lands, Starship Traveller, Deathtrap Dungeon: The Interactive Video Adventure and others.