Gregory Horror Show

Japan frequently provides the most bizarre and wonderfully original games. Gregory Horror Show, based upon a Japanese children’s cartoon, stars a churlish mouse with a Norman Bates-style mother and a penchant for dirty magazines. Other deranged residents of Gregory House include a sadistic nurse who takes pleasure in drawing blood, a zombie cat, a petrified cactus cowboy and a ghostly fish with a TV head. It’s barking mad, and utterly fabulous.

At a bargain price, the game is a rare delight for those prepared to try something different. You are a hotel guest but cannot check-out until you present 12 lost souls to the Grim Reaper. Players must learn the personalities of the balmy characters holding the souls, finding opportunities to trick them or rob their precious property. Spying through keyholes, eavesdropping and learning their habits is fascinating.

The puzzles are clever and inventive: successfully implementing a cunning plan is satisfying. But once robbed, the residents evil become irate, switching to hunters. If they catch you, each will inflict a macabre horror, sending you mad and towards the Game Over screen. As you near the fiery finale it can become wearying being so constantly chased around the mansion like Benny Hill on acid.

Gregory Horror Show could be criticised for being too brief and can frustrate as well as baffle, but is worth the price of admission for its wonderfully kooky, blockheaded characters and ingenious puzzles. Curious gamers will be rewarded. Jason Hill

Verdict: 8
An invigorating and highly original treat.

Pros:
Wonderfully weird cast
Clever puzzles
Wallet-friendly price

Cons:
Constant pursuits get annoying
Some might get flummoxed
Limited lifespan