#michael gentry

Game Review: Anchorhead

By Michael S. Gentry

The original Anchorhead game was written by Michael Gentry in 1998, which is well after the original text-based game era had become almost ancient.  But thanks to its rich story-telling, Anchorhead developed a devoted following.  In 2018, its creator issued a revised version of the game, with improved text, additional puzzles, and illustrations.  I recently played the 2018 edition, and it was as enjoyable and engrossing as I’d hoped.  At first you’re just given free-reign to explore this large, spooky town.  The locals are unfriendly, the woods are eerie, and your husband is acting very bizarre.  Gradually you uncover the terrible secrets behind this town, your house, and the horrible, cursed family that used to live there.  

Be wary, though, because the leisurely pace that the game starts with takes a very sharp turn on Day 3, when evil and danger is waiting around every corner.  I died, a lot, trying to get through this day.  But honestly, these were deaths that I didn’t really mind.  Often, you couldn’t figure out what you needed to do until you’d been killed once or twice, and the deaths themselves are written very well.  They are gruesome, but in the best spirit of horror writing, thoroughly entertaining.  I never knew there were so many ways to be disemboweled or have my eyes poked out.  

Cragne Manor by Jenni Polodna, Ryan Veeder, Adam Whybray, Adri, Andrew Plotkin, Andy Holloway, Austin Auclair, Baldur Brückner, Ben Collins-Sussman, Bill Maya, Brian Rushton, Buster Hudson, Caleb Wilson, Carl Muckenhoupt, Chandler Groover, Chris Jones, Chris Conley, Damon L. Wakes, Daniel Ravipinto, Daniel Stelzer, David Jose, David Petrocco, David Sturgis, Drew Mochak, Edward B, Emily Short, Erica Newman, Feneric, Finn Rosenloev, Gary Butterfield, Gavin Inglis, Greg Frost, Hanon Ondricek, Harkness Munt, Harrison Gerard, Ian Holmes, Ivan Roth, Jack Welch, Jacqueline Ashwell, James Eagle, Jason Dyer, Jason Lautzenheiser, Jason Love, Jeremy Freese, Joey Jones, Joshua Porch, Justin de Vesine, Justin Melvin, Katherine Morayati, Kenneth Pedersen, Lane Puetz, Llew Mason, Lucian Smith, Marco Innocenti, Marius Müller, Mark Britton, Mark Sample, Marshal Tenner Winter, Matt Schneider, Matt Weiner, Matthew Korson, Michael Fessler, Michael Gentry, Michael Hilborn, Michael Lin, Mike Spivey, Molly Ying, Monique Padelis, Naomi Hinchen, Nate Edwards, Petter Sjölund, Q Pheevr, Rachel Spitler, Reed Lockwood, Reina Adair, Riff Conner, Roberto Colnaghi, Rowan Lipkovits, Sam Kabo Ashwell, Scott Hammack, Sean M. Shore, Wade Clarke, Zach Hodgens, Zack Johnson & Andrew Schultz

Michael Gentry (1940-1994)