Barrow Hill: Curse of the Ancient Circle

Hey! It's Halloween! So I thought I'd replay one of my favorite adventures, Barrow Hill. I knew I could get through it in one day rather easily because I'm so familiar with it, but I haven't actually played it in years. Today seemed like a perfect time for it, especially because I didn't have it in my games list. It needs to be there, because this was one of the games that really cemented my enjoyment of adventures.

The things I enjoy so much about this game are, first, the place that it creates. We get to know it so well that when we got to return to it ten years later in Barrow Hill 2, the nostalgia almost creates tears. It's so great to get back to it because it was so great to be in it in the first place.

The second thing I love about the game is how well it's put together. There are clues to everything. You just have to keep your eyes open. The game is essentially one puzzle with many parts. I didn't have to go to any walkthrough to figure out the final placement of the items--it's all there in the diaries and paperwork and other clues that you find. However, that doesn't mean the puzzle is straightforward. No, you have to notice that things are not in the order that you'd expect. 

Also, the atmosphere just pervades everything. We're alone in this game, mostly. We meet Ben, the terrified service station worker, only through the door of his office, which he refuses to open. We meet Emma Harry, the local DJ of Barrow Hill Radio, only through the mobile phone (once we find it, charge it up, and restore the local signal). We walk through the dark woods, finding mushrooms and other plants, exploring an ancient well, a swamp, and a deteriorating shack. 

There have been people here, but they've disappeared somehow. Now, I admit, there are a few things rather cheesy about the game. The radio ads of course are intentionally cheesy, but frankly, the monster involved here just doesn't really terrify too much. 

However, let's plunge into the game and see what's there!

I've always admired the menu screen, with it's candle. It lights when we load the screen, and snuffs out when we quit the game.

Super menu screen

The spooky atmosphere starts with our drive into Barrow Hill, a black and white film with Emma Harry telling us that it's the autumn equinox, and we're going down the rabbit hole.

Driving in

Whooooo's watching?

We walk down a long dark road and finally find an oasis of light: the service station.

Civilization

We explore the service station and it's three hotel rooms (to which we will have to find numerical door keys). 

The lobby, with important clues

Read the pamphlets

The café menu won't help you, but it's fun

I really enjoy it when I find references to other games from Jonathan and Matt! They always have some recognizable items from their other games!

These "Mountain Cakes" turn up in other games

Once we start looking for the items we need for the final puzzle, we branch out a bit. But we can find the first one right in the café. Each time we find the seven "offerings" we need, there's this great effect that really gives you a charge!

A really nice effect when we unleash the magic

And we find some items that will turn up ten years later!

This old slot machine turns out to be useful

Authentic looking celtic design

And the surrounding area has some nicely atmospheric items too:

Scarecrow

Can we use the phone?

And of course, the stone circle itself, out there in the darkness, looms over everything:

The Barrow Hill Stone Circle. What is it for?

When I first played the game years ago, I thought there was a bit too much reading. However, I read it all again this time and didn't think it was too bad at all. Plus, nearly everything you read has clues!

And it contributes to the atmosphere

The longest read in the game, but without it you can't solve the final puzzle

When I first played, I was able to solve the game without looking at a walkthough. This time I had to peek to see why oh why I couldn't find the flask of whisky when I knew exactly where it was! Also, I missed the first room number (although it's extremely easy to find) and learned that Matt anticipated that players might make that mistake. You need Barrow Hill Radio's phone number, but you won't get it the first time you hear it on the radio--usually in the motel room. This time I encountered what is usually the second time you hear the number, but as it was the first time for me, the number was masked out, just as it should have been.

I discovered a few things I had never noticed before. You can look through the windows, for example. Also, this time I noticed subtle music or sound effects that are just barely there but that contribute to the atmosphere. Nice! Just shows the amount of care that went into making the game.

The game plays fair, which is another reason I enjoy it so much. The clues are good if you just read the stuff and look around thoroughly. It's imminently solvable, and it's a lot of fun getting to that solution (plus there's a marvelous effect out in the stone circle when you solve the puzzle, but I won't spoil that).

I watched the video playthrough by CJU a while back. On his first playthrough he didn't give the game a very good review. However, when he played the sequel much later he went on and on about how much fun it was to be back at Barrow Hill and see all the old items and locations! He was really excited about it, and that's because this first game is a lot better than he gave it credit for at the time. 

I mean, when you have a game that really immerses you in a unique atmosphere and world, well, that's a big reason we play! And when the puzzle is as elegantly pieced together as this one is, with actual clues that mean something, what more do you need?

OK, I admit that the monster is a bit on the lame side. Aside from that, this is a super little game!

Play it!!