This paranormal horror adventure revolves around Hermitage, the sinister bookstore that attracts most unusual customers – all of whom seem to be involved in mysterious cases bordering on the paranormal. Investigate mysterious cases by taking on the role of a less than motivated bookshop owner, a former anthropology professor who for unknown reasons has never been seen outside of his bookstore. With the help of a hacker genius on the run, a self-proclaimed detective and a short-tempered legal consultant, you must get to the bottom of a row of horrific incidents, bearing in mind the supernatural horrors that lurk within the pages of Hermitage's Lovecraftian book collection...

You're introduced to each mystery via lengthy text based scenes

Before I delve into this game I wanted to offer a quick warning to those thinking of buying this. If you're the sort of person who hates reading pages and pages of text between characters, Hermitage: Strange Case Files will leave you cold. However, if you're the sort of person who loves pouring over multi layered storylines, that are slowly revealed, then you're going to love this game.

There are a number of mysteries to solve here and you're introduced to each one via lengthy (sometimes too lengthy) text based scenes. Through these dialogues you'll collect clues (as well as from the TV, the Internet, phone messages and emails. You can discover leads by talking to other characters and working out what approach will work with them.

Collect clues from the world around you

You can also use a handy pinboard to string together information to link and analyse characters and events; check on character's backstories and skills. And find intel to back up your suspicions.

The cases are weird and creepy and, as I said before, this is not a game for those who like to be handheld though games. If you think of yourself as something of a detective and you love taking your time piecing together clues, you'll spend many happy hour in Hermitage.

7

Darren Rea