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The 11th Hour

40%Game Brain Score
story, music
gameplay, grinding
40% User Score Based on 187 reviews

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PCMac OSWindows
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The 11th Hour is a single player puzzle game with a horror theme. It was developed by Trilobyte Games and was released on October 18, 2013. It received neutral reviews from players.

IN THE 70 DESOLATE YEARS since the horrifying murders chronicled in The 7th Guest, the town of Harley has been ominously silent. Only when journalist Robin Morales vanishes while investigating the rotting abandoned mansion of the legendary toy maker Henry Stauf, do events resurrect a malignant past. AS ROBIN'S COLLEAGUE and lover, Carl Denning, you come to the ravaged estate to find her. What yo…

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40%
Audience ScoreBased on 187 reviews
story20 positive mentions
gameplay6 negative mentions
  • The game features challenging puzzles that can be rewarding for players who enjoy a mental challenge.
  • The atmosphere is enhanced by the use of full-motion video sequences, creating a unique blend of horror and storytelling.
  • The GameBook mechanic provides helpful hints and serves as a useful tool for players struggling with the more difficult puzzles.
  • Many puzzles are frustratingly difficult and can feel disconnected from the narrative, leading to a lack of immersion.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, including crashes and poor optimization on modern systems, making it difficult to play.
  • The constant mocking from the antagonist, Stauf, can become irritating and detracts from the overall experience.
  • story
    100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "The 11th Hour" is a fragmented and often confusing narrative that unfolds through cutscenes unlocked by solving puzzles, which many players feel are disconnected from the overarching plot. While some appreciate the game's attempt at a horror storyline and its improved production values compared to its predecessor, others criticize it for being nonsensical, poorly executed, and lacking coherence. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a mix of intriguing ideas and cheesy execution, leaving players divided on its effectiveness and engagement.

    • “The combination of haunting visuals, unsettling sound design, and cryptic storytelling creates a sense of unease that lingers even when the puzzles themselves frustrate.”
    • “The story is interesting, linking it nicely to the 7th guest.”
    • “The game is notorious for its difficulty, with several puzzles feeling disconnected from the overarching narrative, which can break immersion for those hoping for a more story-driven flow.”
    • “The story itself is basically C-grade horror; it's a little too silly to be genuinely frightening, but there are some creepy moments and cool effects.”
    • “The gameplay is all pretty divorced from the story.”
  • music
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its atmospheric qualities and nostalgic appeal, while others criticize it for being repetitive, poorly balanced, and at times, irritating. Many players noted issues with volume control, making it difficult to hear voice acting over the music, and some found the soundtrack to be mismatched with the game's horror theme. Overall, while there are standout tracks that enhance the experience, the inconsistency and technical issues detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “The haunting soundtrack, creepy ambiance, and surreal cinematics all blend together perfectly, creating an immersive experience that still holds up decades later.”
    • “It was a simple, yet extremely atmospheric game with jaw-dropping visuals, FMVs, juicy horror scenes, and brilliant music by the fat man himself (the man who wrote music for treasures like Loom and Wing Commander).”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing; the 3D rendered graphics and animations were further improved upon, the quality in FMV production improved, the puzzles were equally as challenging as the first game, the story was enough to keep you invested, and all of this lent itself well to a 90s nostalgia-inducing atmosphere similar to The 7th Guest yet unique in its own way.”
    • “I can take basically anything, annoyingly bad and janky UI, zero directions and zero puzzle instructions, horrible music, slow movement, and even 124-second game startup every single time... but what I can't take is when I'm already confused about directions and movement is slow, this Stauf guy stops you (yes, you actually stop moving for 5-8 seconds) every ten seconds to listen to the same maniac mocks over and over again.”
    • “Also, I don't recommend this if you're easily irritated by auditory annoyances - the keys to independently control the volume of the voice and the music don't register, so you have to tolerate too-loud music to be able to hear what Stauf is saying.”
    • “The soundtrack consisting of MIDI music is mostly okay, but the repetition of chosen songs and their suitability to scenes that we encounter is questionable.”
  • gameplay
    47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is primarily centered around a digital gamebook that serves as a map and clue tracker, but many players find it tedious and lacking in narrative engagement, often leading to frustrating mechanical problem-solving. The introduction of a "treasure hunt" mechanic, which relies heavily on cryptic riddles and puzzles, has been criticized for being obtuse and disconnected from the story, resulting in a gameplay experience that feels outdated and less enjoyable compared to modern standards. While the visuals and production values have improved, the overall gameplay is seen as mediocre, with many players expressing disappointment in its execution and pacing.

    • “The central mechanic that ties everything together is the gamebook, a digital companion that functions as a map, clue tracker, and hint system.”
    • “The gameplay is a combination of puzzles and riddles.”
    • “The gameplay is driven by answering 'riddles' which read and are solved like British cryptic crossword puzzle clues.”
    • “This structure sometimes leaves players with long stretches of mechanical problem-solving without much narrative reward.”
    • “But I mostly found myself too annoyed by the mechanics and interface to get more than two hours through it.”
    • “The cutscene-driven narrative and the game mechanics clash harder than in any game I've ever played.”
  • graphics
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are often described as dated, reflecting their cutting-edge status at the time of release but failing to hold up to modern standards. While some players appreciate the atmospheric visuals and nostalgic charm, many criticize the low resolution and lack of detail, with gameplay issues exacerbated by compatibility problems on newer systems. Overall, the visuals evoke a sense of nostalgia but may not appeal to contemporary gamers seeking high-quality graphics.

    • “The visuals, while dated by modern standards, were cutting-edge at the time of release and remain an important part of the game’s identity.”
    • “It was a simple, yet extremely atmospheric game with jaw-dropping visuals, FMVs, juicy horror scenes, and brilliant music by the Fat Man himself (the man who wrote music for treasures like Loom and Wing Commander).”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing, the 3D rendered graphics and animations were further improved upon, the quality in FMV production improved, the puzzles were equally as challenging as the first game, the story was enough to keep you invested, and all of this lent itself well to a 90s nostalgia-inducing atmosphere similar to The 7th Guest yet unique in its own way.”
    • “The graphics are the worst; the puzzles are the stupidest I've ever seen.”
    • “It's really dated; the low-res graphics look quite poor.”
    • “At its peak, it was considered a graphical highlight, but by today's standards, it is highly dated.”
  • atmosphere
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its grim and unsettling tone, enhanced by innovative full-motion video sequences and eerie pre-rendered environments that create a surreal experience. Players appreciate the combination of haunting visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and a sense of dread that immerses them in the eerie world of Stauf's mansion, although some note that certain elements may feel dated by modern standards. Overall, the game's atmosphere is regarded as a standout feature that contributes significantly to its legacy in gaming history.

    • “The 11th hour is an unforgettable journey into the eerie and atmospheric world of Stauf’s mansion, and for me, it holds a very special place in gaming history.”
    • “From the opening moments, the game sets a grim, unsettling tone, using full-motion video sequences and eerie pre-rendered environments to weave together its atmosphere of dread and mystery.”
    • “The use of full-motion video inserts and computer-rendered rooms created a surreal atmosphere, blending live actors with digital environments in a way that was both innovative and eerie.”
    • “And they’re also uncomfortably small in size, and seem overly dark (in a poor-contrast kind of way, rather than a horror-film-atmosphere kind of way).”
  • humor
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely hilarious, particularly in the context of cheesy 90s nostalgia and the absurdity of certain animations and cutscenes. While some lines from the character "Stauf" are amusing, others can be annoying, and the overall comedic effect is often overshadowed by frustrating puzzles. Despite its flaws, those with an open-minded attitude towards humor may still find enjoyment in the game's quirky charm.

    • “What we all wanted was interesting puzzles, more interactions, more funny animations, more atmosphere, and so on.”
    • “People find 'Stauf's' berating annoying in this game, which I agree with, albeit some of the lines were hilarious.”
    • “I was laughing out loud on several occasions, and I honestly can't help wondering just how much of this was intended effect.”
  • grinding
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overwhelmingly tedious, with slow cutscenes and frustratingly lengthy puzzles that detract from the overall experience. Many users resort to using hint systems to expedite the process, highlighting the game's tendency to transform enjoyable elements into monotonous tasks. Overall, the sequel is criticized for its lack of engaging gameplay, making the grinding feel more like a chore than a challenge.

    • “The game's one word summary would be 'tedious' -- it is that, far and above anything else it is.”
    • “This sequel takes everything that was fun and charming about the original and makes it annoying and tedious.”
    • “Some of the puzzles are absolutely terrible (irritatingly boring, or just 'figure this out and solve it because we were too lazy to make a real puzzle'), others are so tedious you know exactly what to do, but need the hint walkthrough just to make them go faster.”
  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is notably poor, with users reporting numerous bugs that hinder gameplay, including crashes when navigating away from the game and unresolved puzzles. Additionally, audio issues and a lack of context in FMV sequences contribute to a frustrating experience, making it difficult to recommend despite its nostalgic appeal.

    • “As much as I love this game, the port to current operating systems is buggy.”
    • “Much as I dig the nostalgia vibes, it's just a little too buggy to recommend.”
    • “Adding to the frustration are game-breaking bugs such as solved puzzles not registering, audio glitches such as some ambient sounds playing at more than double the volume of the speech and music, and lack of context for pretty much all of the FMV sequences.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has been criticized for frequent crashes, indicating poor performance. However, some aspects, such as character portrayals, have been positively noted, suggesting that while the game may struggle technically, certain elements shine through.

    • “The game may crash often due to poor optimization.”
    • “Performance issues make the game unplayable at times.”
    • “The optimization is lacking, resulting in frequent frame drops.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate uncertainty regarding the game's replayability, with some users questioning its value for repeated playthroughs. Overall, there seems to be a lack of consensus on whether the game offers sufficient incentives for players to return after completing it.

    • “Replay value: unknown”
    • “Replayability?”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is perceived as lacking by some players, who feel that the emphasis on puzzle-solving overshadows the growth and tension of the characters. While this focus appeals to puzzle enthusiasts, it may leave others wanting more depth in character arcs.

    • “For fans of puzzle-heavy design, this focus is part of the appeal, but for others, the balance may feel lopsided, with too much emphasis on obstacles and too little on character development or tension building.”
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

The 11th Hour is a puzzle game with horror theme.

The 11th Hour is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

The 11th Hour was released on October 18, 2013.

The 11th Hour was developed by Trilobyte Games.

The 11th Hour has received neutral reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

The 11th Hour is a single player game.

Similar games include The 7th Guest, Sherlock Holmes: The Silver Earring, The Testament of Sherlock Holmes, Phantasmagoria 2: A Puzzle of Flesh, Black Mirror and others.