Blu-ray discs, DVDs, CD-ROMs, and CDs are well-known formats today. However, that was very different 35 years ago. Movies were released on VHS tapes, games came on floppy disks, and music was available only on vinyl and cassette tapes.
The storage capacity of floppy disks was quite limited, so it was not unusual for larger games in particular to be shipped on multiple disks. As a result, the industry began searching for an alternative storage medium, which they found in the Compact Disc Read-Only Memory, better known as the CD-ROM.
Thanks to this format, game developers were able to create larger games with improved graphics, better sound, and, for the time, groundbreaking full-motion video (FMV). Real actors performed in front of green screens and were then integrated into the games. Alongside Myst, The 7th Guest was the killer app you simply had to own if you bought a CD-ROM drive.
Over the past few years, both Myst and The 7th Guest have received various remastered and remade versions. In 2023, The 7th Guest even received a full VR remake from the Dutch studio Vertigo Games, which was met with critical acclaim. This remake is now being re-released for the current generation of consoles without the VR requirement.
I have completed The 7th Guest multiple times and can confidently say that I am a fan of the game. Unfortunately, because I do not own a VR headset, I was unable to play the remake, which was quite disappointing. Fortunately, that is finally changing.
Not just a simple remake
To cut to the chase, The 7th Guest Remake is not just a simple resolution upgrade and texture swap of the ’90s classic. Vertigo Games built this remake from the ground up with VR in mind, yet at no point during my playthrough did I feel like I was playing a stripped-down version without this VR experience. But before we dive deeper into that subject, let’s start at the beginning.
The 7th Guest tells the story of Henry Stauf, a well-known toymaker who, after a series of events involving his toys and children becoming ill, retreats to his mansion to live in solitude. The game begins with our protagonist arriving at the mansion’s dock with no recollection of who he is or why he is there.
From the moment you enter the house, however, it becomes clear that you are not there by accident. Through flashbacks, you witness six individuals entering the mansion, all equally unaware of why they have been summoned by the mysterious Stauf. It is up to the protagonist to uncover why they are there and what ultimately happened to them.
The story unfolds through these flashbacks, as well as postcards scattered throughout the mansion. While there are obviously similarities to the story of the original game, this remake explores its narrative in far greater depth, making it engaging for both newcomers and longtime fans of the series.
Superb FMV goodness
As said, the original The 7th Guest was well known for its FMV sequences. More often than not, however, FMV scenes in games of that era came across somewhat cringy. The 7th Guest was no exception, with many scenes feeling overacted and awkward to watch.
Fortunately, for this remake, Vertigo Games managed to cast a solid group of actors to bring these scenes to life. The chemistry between the cast works well and adds an extra layer to the game’s story. While you will not find any Oscar-worthy performances here, the scenes are well executed and serve their purpose effectively.
The mansion itself has also received a significant overhaul. Iconic locations such as the grand staircase at the start of the game, along with reimagined versions of the guests’ bedrooms, are a welcome treat for fans of the original. These familiar locations blend seamlessly with the newly added rooms. Each room has its own distinct theme and is built around a specific concept. For example, you’ll encounter rooms centered around musical instruments, lavish dining areas and even a children’s room filled with dolls and cradles.
It is obvious that the game was designed with VR in mind, so do not expect the most visually advanced title ever made. That said, it is still an attractive game. Vertigo Games has done an excellent job designing the many objects scattered throughout the mansion and a large number of them can be picked up and examined from different angles. I would have liked to see more environmental storytelling through the newspapers and articles found around the house, but most of them seem to function primarily as decorative filler.
Fans of the original will also be pleased to hear that the soundtrack has been completely reorchestrated from the ground up while still retaining the spirit of the original. The new score draws inspiration from the classic soundtrack, weaving familiar motifs into its compositions. As a result, it is both nostalgic and fresh, and a pleasure to listen to.
New Puzzles
If we take a look at the key element of this game—the puzzles—I can say that Vertigo Games did a decent job. The puzzles match the themes of the various rooms and are cleverly woven into the environment. I expected to relive the puzzles from the original The 7th Guest, which could be quite challenging at times. To my surprise, however, almost all of the puzzles, with perhaps one or two exceptions, were completely redesigned.
The new puzzles are cleverly crafted and generally provide a decent level of challenge. To be honest, though, I was a little disappointed. While I have played many puzzle games throughout my life, I would consider myself an average puzzle solver at best. Yet at no point during my playthrough did I feel that I really had to work hard to solve a puzzle. Apart from one puzzle, which I solved through a combination of logic and trial and error, none of them truly pushed me. Even though I enjoyed the new puzzles, I occasionally found myself wishing they had offered a greater challenge.
New to The 7th Guest is a magical lamp that you acquire at the beginning of the game. By shining it on objects, you can reveal hidden messages and see items as they appeared when the mansion was still in its prime. The lamp also plays a key role in several puzzles, as it reveals clues that help guide you toward their solutions.
I enjoyed the way this mechanic encouraged exploration, prompting me to search each room for hidden hints while also allowing me to witness how the mansion and its many paintings had changed over time. However, this feature also contributes to the game’s relatively low difficulty, as the clues it provides are often very obvious.
If you do get stuck, you can use a Stauf Coin—found throughout the mansion—to solve a puzzle automatically. Of course, no true puzzle enthusiast would resort to such blasphemy, right?
Not all is perfect
My biggest disappointment came with the final puzzle. Normally, you would expect the puzzles to become progressively more difficult as the game unfolds, with the final challenge serving as the culmination of everything you have learned. Unfortunately, after completing the game in roughly five hours, I found the final puzzle to be a major letdown. It required little actual puzzle-solving ability and failed to deliver the satisfying conclusion I had hoped for.
The 7th Guest remake really surprised me. Although the VR component has been removed, it never felt like the game truly needed it in the first place. Fans of the original will feel right at home in the newly redesigned Stauf Mansion and will undoubtedly experience a healthy dose of nostalgia along the way.
The puzzles, on the other hand, may feel a little too easy for experienced players, even though they remain enjoyable to solve. Searching for clues with the newly introduced lamp is a welcome addition, and the reimagined soundtrack is an absolute treat for the ears.
At around five to six hours in length, the game felt a bit short in my opinion, as I would have loved to spend more time exploring Stauf's mansion.
The Good
- Great soundtrack
- The FMV's are well done
- Fun for new as old time fans
The Bad
- Anti climatic end puzzle
- a bit short
