A Thriller with a Storied Past
You could say that this story starts with a dark and stormy night, but its true origins date much further back than that. Nathaniel Black reached out to one Doctor Amber Blythe, enlisting her help so that he could track down the incredible Shroud of Lazarus. This otherwise simple fabric could contain unfathomable power.
According to the tales passed down over the generations, the Shroud of Lazarus was what Lazarus was wearing when he was buried and placed in his tomb, but it is this same shroud that allowed him to rise from his grave and live again. Mr. Black yearns for this knowledge and this great power.
With a deeply dark and fear-filled atmosphere, Born into Darkness offers exceptional thrills, no shortage of chills, and a great sense of accomplishment too. Just be wary of what goes bump in the night, because you will encounter more than a few frightful scenes.
The Ancient Art of Discovery
The narrative in this game is presented through a series of film stills, running through an actual film strip once scene at a time. This adds greatly to the moody atmosphere and gives a better sense of the historic nature of your journeys around the globe.
Further adding to the unique experience that this title offers, the gameplay style is quite different from other similar games too. Rather than show a text-based list of items, you are shown the silhouettes of a small number of objects. The key is that these objects are usually comprised of several parts and you have to build these objects back together again.
For instance, one of the early stages requires you to fix a light fixture, but you need a ladder to access that lighting structure. You must then find the three pieces of the ladder, put them back together, and erect the ladder in the right spot in the scene so you can fix the lighting fixture. Only then can the story progress to its next logical chapter.
This is a tale of exploration and discovery, so it's also fascinating to see that each stage is composed of several different rooms and several different phases. You can move between the areas by clicking at the right place and you can track your progress by checking the meter in the center.
Seeking the Assistance of the Spirits
You are only provided with a small number of hints, as represented with the gems on the lower-left and lower-right corners of the screen, but you have the opportunity to earn more at any time. Rather than waiting for a gauge to refill, you need to work for them.
There is a specialized medallion in the two lower corners. Clicking on the one to the left, you will see a fluid collection of words floating about on the screen. Click on the target terms within the time allotted and you can earn an additional hint. The medallion to the right is much more frightening, because you need to catch the ghosts drifting through your scene. Again, complete the task in time and you get another hint.
Doing an excellent job of sending chills up and down your spine, this game is truly immersive and it does a great job of motivating you to progress through its expertly-narrated story. Will you recover the legendary Shroud of Lazarus?
