Back in 1993, Trilobite and Virgin Interactive Entertainment released a notable game that you may have heard about. Perhaps you even played it at one point. Either way, that title was The 7th Guest — a puzzle game that used full motion video footage featuring real actors, who portrayed its characters. Back then, that was neat and cutting edge, but it didn’t age too well. Then again, we are talking about a game that released for DOS, and was one of the first to be issued on a CD-ROM.
You could say that The 7th Guest was a hit, because it — along with Myst — helped sell CD drives, and the game was called “the new standard in interactive entertainment” by none other than Bill Gates. It went on to sell over two million copies, and other games, versions and even a board game followed.
Then, in October of 2023, Vertigo Studios and Exkee released a new take on The 7th Guest for virtual reality devices. Featuring new puzzles, a similar story and new actors who were filmed and placed in the game, it was pretty well received.
Fast forward to last March, and The 7th Guest Remake was announced for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PC and Xbox Series X/S. We were provided with a review code for the latter version.
Back in 1993, my family didn’t own a computer of any kind, and the only ways I got to use one were at school or when I went over to my cousins’. I didn’t hear about The 7th Guest, nor was I privy to it or able to play it. Then again, I was perhaps a little too young for it anyhow. As such, this was my first experience with the title.
If you’re also new to the party, the set-up is pretty straightforward: After years spent having its foreboding doors closed, a mysterious mansion in the middle of nowhere opens them and welcomes six different individuals to a party. All of the above were promised their wildest desires if they attended, be it getting out of debt, becoming young again or making a name for themselves. However, when they arrived at the home, something went wrong and what they were promised was never delivered. Now, as a seventh guest to this strange party, it’s up to the player’s character to figure out what happened.
The story involves a strange, reclusive man named Henry Stauf, who made a lot of money in the toy business while also dabbling in things no human should. He taunts you as you play; especially if you keep failing to solve his puzzles. Meanwhile, as one progresses, they’ll see visions of the other guests arriving, and taking part in different things, while also stumbling across notes, bank drafts, pictures of them and more. Those, as well as cartoon-like postcards that tell Stauf’s story.
When I first heard about this game, and its remake, I thought that it was more of a horror styled FMV experience. However, it’s not very scary. Instead, this is a very puzzle focused campaign, and one that will take different people various amounts of time to complete, as it’ll depend on how good they are at such puzzles. A lot of thought was put into them, and they’re not so easy or straightforward.
The general gameplay loop involves entering the house, and finding most of the doors locked. At first, you’re able to go into the dining room to solve its puzzle, before being able to go upstairs and enter select guests’ rooms. There, you’ll find puzzles themed after their issues and desires, including using a comptometer that’s missing buttons to add up debt, moving train tracks to couple onto cars in a certain order, moving coffins out of the way so that one can reach a gravesite, organizing a strange map and rigging a drinking game so that the evil husband drinks the final glass of poison. Others involve getting into a magician’s trunk, collecting keys, and using magical hats, for instance.
As you complete each room, you’ll gain access to more of the house. The goal is to complete all of the puzzles found within, and figure out what’s going on. You’ll get a map, find some old records to listen to (featuring recordings made by the homeowner), and find messages that he’s given to each of his guests.
As mentioned above, some of the puzzles can be quite head scratching, meaning that those who aren’t so good at them — like yours truly — will likely get stumped and stuck. The game offers clues, but they’re very basic and you only get two of them. I didn’t really find many of them helpful. However, it’s also possible to auto-solve puzzles by spending coins that can be found throughout the mansion. This is a nice touch, which presents an option for those who are too confused and too stuck to continue, and would maybe otherwise quit. I tried to avoid it, though, despite finding lots of the gold coins. I won’t lie and say that I didn’t go online for some help though.
By the player’s side in this first-person puzzler is a somewhat magical lamp, which can help you find clues and solve puzzles. Raising it will sometimes show you things that were hiding, including when it’s raised to posters or pictures and shows completely different versions of them.
The story is unlikely to wow players, but it sets up what is a good puzzle game, with some really well thought out, creative, unique and intricate puzzles. While I’m not exactly the target audience for such a game, and am often one who avoids puzzle games instead of playing them, I really respect the thought and effort that went into these. Some may have stumped me good, but it felt great when I solved them, and I enjoyed my several hours with it. If you’re a puzzle game fan, you’ll likely find that it’s right up your alley.
Although I can’t say for sure, what I’ve gathered is that The 7th Guest Remake is a non-VR version of the VR game that came out a few years ago. It’s essentially the traditional or flatscreen version, if you will. As such, these puzzles were made for VR, but are now being figured out using a controller. The result isn’t perfect, as the controls can be a bit frustrating at times. The lamp also decided to shine the wrong way for a bit, and I’m not sure why. Outside of these slight annoyances, though, it’s transitioned well.
As mentioned above, new actors were used for this release, and the old FMV footage wasn’t kept in. That’s likely for the best. What they ended up doing, by projecting the characters as if they’re ghostly apparitions, using what they call Volumetric Video, works really well and looks good. It feels modern, isn’t cheesy, and they’re pretty well acted.
The rest of The 7th Guest Remake looks great, with lots of detailed environments and tons of care put into its presentation. The house is incredibly well designed, and each room feels unique. The sound is also good, with eerie and fitting sound effects, plus quality voice acting and music. There’s a great sense of atmosphere to be found within, too.
Although I’m not big on most puzzle games (outside of Hue, which I loved), The 7th Guest Remake was an impressive and enjoyable experience that really exercised my brain. It’s well crafted, with some truly impressive puzzles, and the full package comes together quite well, outside of the odd control issue and bits of frustration. If you’re interested in such a title, then it’s definitely recommended.
This review is based on the XBOX Series X version of the game, which we were provided.