RokuGuide Quick Look: Mystery House was originally released in 1980 for the Apple II and is recognized as one of the first adventure games to use computer graphics. This Roku version looks very similar to that original game, and plays much the same.
As stated in the in-game instructions, "Mystery House takes place in an old house with many rooms. As you enter the house, seven other persons will be in the living room. Eventually they are dispersed throughout the house and you start finding them - dead! You must find the killer before he (she?) ends up killing you."
You play the game by providing two-word commands that are usually a verb and a noun that state what you want to do. For example, "open door", "climb steps", or "read book". If you provide the correct command, an action will be taken. Moving is also done through commands that include north, south, east, west, up, and down.
The playing screen will give you options to display an inventory of items you've gathered, to take an action, and to move. Commands available to you will be displayed, as will the things you can take an action on. For example, in an early screen selecting "Action" will give you options of taking an action on Stairs, Front Door, and Welcome Mat. Selecting Front Door gives you the options of Open, Examine, and Use. Examine the door and you're told that it' s a solid door with a very secure lock. Select Use and you're told that the front door is closed. Some options will let you go where you want - in other cases, you'll hit a dead end and will need to move, take a different action, or select a different object.
The graphics are, as in the original game, static and exist only to give you a visual reference. They are in no way interactive or in the least bit realistic. Still, this game will be of interest to those who are nostalgic for the early days of personal computing.
-- Information is current as of February 18, 2014
Developer's Channel Description: You and 7 other guests have been invited to an abandoned Victorian mansion to search for the hidden jewels. One of the first text adventure games with graphics recreated as a menu based game for the Roku.
CHANNEL STORE CATEGORY: Games
DEVELOPER: Matt Moores
FEES: $0.99 one-time purchase
RELATED LINKS:
Forerunner Chronicles Website
