Description

"Haunted House" is an iconic video game for the Atari 2600, released in 1982 by Atari, Inc. Designed by James Andreasen, the game is considered one of the earliest examples of the survival horror genre and has become a cult classic over the years. In "Haunted House," the player navigates through the eerie mansion of the late Zachary Graves to collect the three pieces of an urn and exit the mansion — all while avoiding bats, spiders, and the ghost of Mr. Graves himself. The game is notably one of the first video games to feature elements of horror and a first-person perspective, as represented through the eyes of the player visible on screen.

Gameplay in "Haunted House" is distinguished by its rudimentary but effective use of graphics and sound to create a spooky atmosphere. The player is represented only by a pair of eyes illuminated by a match, the light from which can be snuffed out by gusts or strategically extinguished to evade enemies. The mansion is a maze of rooms and corridors spread over three floors, and the player must navigate this labyrinth using locked doors and hidden staircases, collecting items like keys and matches to aid in their journey. The simplistic controls and pioneering use of graphical overlays to simulate darkness and limited visibility were innovative at the time, adding layers of strategy and suspense to the gameplay. The game's formidable challenge and the eerie setting were unusual for the time, contributing to its lasting appeal and influence in the evolution of video games with horror themes.

Title

Haunted House - Title

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Gameplay

Haunted House - Gameplay

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