What is going on?

[Ddraig]

I've been playing this game for a couple of days. Day 2 in the game.
I have basically been walking around the house, and litteraly been 'brute forcing' my way through the game.
I have no idea whats really going on, and there doesn't really seem to be any story.
The only puzzle I worked out so far is the scratching noises bit in the fire place.
Yet I have still progressed though the game. More luck than judgement.

How for example were you suppose to work out that the key for the basement was in vase?
There must have been some kind of narative that points you in that direction, but I didn't come across it. I just found the key by brute force and luck.

Same thing with the safe behind the picture.
I was so stuck/bored that I ended up just clicking randomly on all the paintings on the walls, thinking they had to be somewhat important because you could focus in on them. Then there you go I randomly found a safe.

Am I playing this on a hard setting or something?

I feel that I am missing the excitement and enjoyability of this game.

I'm not a big adventure game player. Perhaps thats the problem?

I've played the lucas arts games, they were difficult in places, but at least there was some sort of narative that gave you a hint as to what you were supposed to be doing.


Anyone else in the same situation?

[LazyFly]

The narrative is driven mostly by exploration- the things you find, journal entries you read, photos you view. If you're not reading and digging into this stuff I can see where the game would feel frustrating or even incomplete.

Just to pick at one item you mentioned- the key in the vase is evident from a photo you find in the servant's quarters- she was an aspiring photographer and one of her photos shows the vase with a key hanging from the hook above- with that in mind, seeing an empty key hook with a vase under it should be at least a little suspicious.

I think the problem is that you may be thinking of it as a game and going at it like it's a game. It's really more of a... interactive novel of sorts, without immersion the effect is lost.

[Ddraig]

I didn't come across that image of the kitchen??? And I have litterally clicked everything (well litteraly i couldn't have clicked everything?!?!).

What about that picture with the safe behind it.
I have been reading everything, and looking closely at the images. I haven't come across anything that tells you about a safe behind a painting.

What about that mirror that you can move on the table next to the painting? That seems to have some importance, as with everything else i've discovered so far that it is the fact that it is interactive that it must be something.

I honestly think that i'm missing something?

For example i'm really stuck again.
I'm wandering around this house with nothing to do.
The only feedback i'm getting fromt the game is from Jerry telling me to get to work and start writing, although the dude i'm controlling is more of a procrastinator than me.
He should get a laptop, instead of that typewriter. That way then he could play a game where he makes some dude wander around a haunted mansion instead of getting on with his work.

So can you help me through this next bit??

Its sunday now i think?
I got the key (from the safe) and been into the locked room in the attic.
I've got the lamp oil, rope and oiling can.
I've found the secret room that the guy dreamnt about.
Using the tools from the previous puzzle.

But now i'm wandering around the house, don't know what or where to go.
Does anyone remember what to do?

I'm trying to hang myself with the rope at the moment, but I can't find any where to lynch my guy up.

I don't want anyone to tell me how to solve it, or answers to any puzzles. Just a nudge in the right direction would be nice. And if you could tell me how you worked that out would be awesome. Will hopefully get me start thinking about what I need to do.

Originally posted by LazyFly:

without immersion the effect is lost.

Cheers

[[DoN] nVader]

Here are a few hints for where I think you are in the game:
- Don't hang yourself with the rope ;-) But you might consider using it for climbing so somewhere that's otherwise difficult to get to
- Do read the journal entries, letters etc. They are creepy and cool as well as necessary to complete the puzzles
- Find the blueprints for the house and be sure to check them out floor by floor
- The flip mirror is important. You'll need it later or at least a part of it
- Your focus should be on the following questions: What happened with the Blackwood family? Who died? How? Why? And what's the deal with that mask?