Blair Witch Volume I: Rustin Parr

With a strong storyline, fantastic graphics, interesting presentation, wonderful voice acting, and engrossing gameplay, Blair Witch is another in a long line of excellent TRI releases.

One of my biggest problems with Nocturne was its system requirements, which placed the game frankly rather ahead of its time.

A thoroughly absorbing title, complete with a suspenseful script, top-notch production values, the perfect balance of action and adventuring, puzzles that are intelligently integrated into the plot, and big dollops of atmosphere.

The similarities between this game and the film are quite ironic. Both feature nausea-inducing camera work and each is a tad bit on the short side. The similarities end there though, as Blair Witch Project Volume I is arguably scarier than the movie.

The game itself is remarkably well put together. Graphics, sound and gameplay come together to create a terrifying yet intriguing experience. You'll be on edge of your seat and scared as you play even during "safe" areas, just because of previous experiences or the feeling that something is about to happen.

This game is what the movie should have been.

It isn't often that a game becomes so engrossing that I actually do have to turn on the lights to continue playing without whimpering, but that's the type of game BWV1: Rustin Parr is (even after shutting off the lights, my body was still at full alert at all times).

Creepy and adventurous.

Just make sure to play it late at night, someplace isolated, to fully experience Rustin Parr at its best.

Truly spooky graphics and nut-shriveling sounds.

While this first PC foray into the Blair mythos is excellent, you needn't bother unless you have a relatively high-end system. If you harbor any doubts as to whether your system is good enough, it isn't. The base requirements (Pentium II 233, etc.) refer to the game running at all, not the game running well when you've got multiple enemies onscreen...and believe me, you will.

The only thing that keeps this title from top marks is the shifting camera angles and lousy action sequences.

Despite some clunky combat, Blair Witch Volume 1: Rustin Parr is a delightfully spooky game with some clever puzzles and well worth the twenty bucks.

Certainly not the deepest title you'll ever play and the control system can be horribly frustrating, but the atmosphere makes it worth persevering with, especially if you liked the movie.