As it’s Spooky Season, it seems only fitting to revisit this underrated classic from PlayStation. For this week’s Retro Respawn, we’re going to take a trip down memory lane and into the depths of Kalisto Entertainment’s Nightmare Creatures.
Nightmare Creatures is a survival horror game developed by the aforementioned Kalisto Entertainment, first released way back in 1997 for the PlayStation, PC and Nintendo 64, with a sequel being released three years later and a mobile adaptation from Gameloft in 2003.
There was also a third game, Nightmare Creatures III: Angel of Darkness, that was unfortunately cancelled in 2004. The game itself draws upon gothic horror elements of the 19th century and takes place in 1834 when London falls victim to many evil occurrences.
Let’s Get Spooky
Monsters and vile beasts from the very depths of Hell itself engulfed the city. The dead are rising from their graves to walk amongst the living. And worst of all…THE DFS SALE HAS FINALLY ENDED!!! Oh, the horror!!
The whole of London is in chaos all thanks to a certain Adam Crowley, a mad scientist and occultist enlisting the help of the Brotherhood of Hecate, who themselves are attempting to develop an elixir to bestow superhuman powers to themselves. Instead, they end up creating these disgusting and grotesque beings known as Nightmare Creatures.
The game is single-player only, but you are able to play as one of two different characters: Ignatius Blackwood, a priest and occult expert or Nadia Franciscus, daughter of Dr. Jean Franciscus, a renowned American immunologist. Both armed with their primary weapons, you will also have the use of secondary weapons, such as, pistols, mines, elemental bombs and magic spells, to help put an end to all of this madness.
Spooky, Scary Skeletons!
Let’s take a look into the Creatures themselves. There are a number of these spooky boys knocking about, from demons to hairy monsters, all of which vary in their degree of toughness, the weakest of them being the demons. Now, there are two different types, simply red and grey.
The more common type of demon, the red ones, aren’t really all that formidable. The more rare version are the grey statue-imitating ones found in the first level. Both very easy to take out.
Then there are rats and werewolves. Though a lot tougher than the previously mentioned beings, when approached correctly, they are simple enough to dispatch. Then there are the motherf@$!ing Hellhounds!! Now, these bad boys are Hell’s version of canines. And I tell you this from experience, they most certainly are NOT man’s best friend. You will come across them at around the ¾ mark of the game. Using basic attacks against them does about the same amount of damage as throwing a damp towel on a roaring fire.
Clean Underwear on Standby
Not only that, but the Hellhounds are also completely immune to your torch and freeze spells. So, enjoy yourself while it lasts as these guys can pick you apart quicker than Usain Bolt ran the 100 meters. And just to add fuel to the fire, the main characters have an adrenaline meter.
When this meter is drained, you will start to lose health, and the only way to refill it is by defeating enemies, so good luck with that.
Graphics-wise, in comparison with other games of the era, this game is pretty standard and nothing to really boast about, in all honesty. But that doesn’t stop it from giving you the absolute willies.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
With its eery soundtrack, spooky atmosphere and all-round freaky vibe, it’s damn near impossible to not get your adrenaline pumping with Nightmare Creatures; the game will have you on the edge of your seat on more than one occasion.
So, if you’re currently at a loss for that Halloween gaming vibe, then I suggest you dig out that old console, load up this bad boy, turn out the lights and have a few spare pairs of underwear on standby.