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I realised the other day that we have DPX's copy of Phantasmagoria here and I decided to install and start playing it. (Thanks for the installer, Collector!)

I haven't played very far, but so far it seems pretty creepy and I'm wondering if I'm going to like the game. Normally I like supernatural mysteries and I've certainly read some that have had some rather graphic and bizarre things occur in them, so I know what to expect in that regard.

What I want to know is: does the story actually have a satisfying ending that doesn't involve the main character dying or something else that's massively disappointing? I mean, I know the game is supposed to be creepy and disturbing, but I want to at least feel satisfied at the end of the game that something turned out for the better. Not like the ending in Twin Peaks. That was terribly disappointing.

I realise that this is a subjective for the most part, but I'd just like some general perspectives on the story and ending, without giving away too much. Don't worry, I accept full responsibility for my choice to play (or not), no matter what anyone says here.

The ending involves a woman whose husband tells her far too many puns, after which she clubs him over the head with a giant pepper cranker.

DeadPoolX wrote:The ending involves a woman whose husband tells her far too many puns, after which she clubs him over the head with a giant pepper cranker.

Hmmm. That sounds vaguely familiar...

I like that ending.

Spoilers ahead...

First, Adirenne survives so don’t worry about that. Second, there are some disturbing parts in the game, especially the ‘flashbacks’ that Adirenne sees. I believe you can click through these or turn the censor off? I forget. Two I found especially disturbing was the flashbacks in the greenhouse and in the large mirror in the upstairs room with a weird wooden machine with a funnel attached to it. If I played it again, I’d skip those but as a first time player, I would want to experience everything, even it human torture is involved. Carno was a murderous sicko, that’s for sure.

I wouldn’t say you’ll have a joyous feeling after finishing the game, other than defeating the monster, but at least a sense of completion of both the game and the mystery that surrounded the mansion and Carno. Phantasmagoria 2 didn’t have as nearly the creepiness as the first one but I still liked the first one better than the second.

The ending to "Phantasmagoria" is very much in the "Screw It" and "No Budget" categories. Essentially, right after you finish the game, Adrienne walks out of the house and the credits run. No dialogue, follow-ups, or last minute plot-holes filled. Also, there's an upbeat pop song over the credits.

So, disappointing? From my end, yes. And I even remember seeing a recent list somewhere where this was #1 on the worst game endings of all time. But of course, it's all relative. I know my aunt liked the ending. In any case, keep playing. The final chapter of the game is still pretty cool.

Thanks for the feedback, guys! I'll give it a try.

Let us know what you think after you finish it.

I sincerely believe that the last chapter is outstanding. The actual ending cutscene may not be much, but everything leading up to is amazing.

I have to say that I agree with Datadog that the ending is a bit abrupt.

Honestly, I found the last chapter an exercise in frustration, since there was so little time to figure anything out. Plus, when you're running around for your life, it doesn't make much sense that you would be stopping in every room looking for items that may be useful,like the freaking piece of glass. Plus, I had to replay chapter 7 under a different profile because my save game for the chapter somehow became corrupt when I quit the game in the middle of it.

I found the incredible linearity of the game very frustrating at times because I often had to go around and visit every single room/location in the game to push it forward, without any indication in the plot of where I was supposed to go. I recall this being one of the limitations of the FMV games (and other adventures).

I can see what Roberta Williams was trying to do with it and it was mostly sucessful in that regard, but I think there are a few gameplay features that could have been improved. The game was also disturbing enough that I can't say I enjoyed the story enough to play it again. It was fairly well done, but just not something that creates a positive feeling. While I wouldn't say I'm sorry I played the game, it certainly isn't at the top of my list of games either.

The three comments I heard the most while Maia was playing Phantasmagoria were:

• "You stupid cheating game!"
• "Oh gross! I can't watch!"
• "That's disgusting!"

I have to admit that some of the death scenes were a bit gory (and this comes from someone who likes turning enemies into bloody chunks flesh) and the overall frustration level seemed way too high.

What I find odd is that so many Adventure gamers dislike action or combat and yet, had no problem with this game. If anything, it seems Phantasmagoria has more action than many so-called "action games."