I was going to review Heavy Rain today but it looks like I’m going to need an extra day to work on that review and hopefully figure out an appropriately way to describe Madison Pagie’s role in the game.

Until I do that, how about taking a look at Shadows Out of Time?  Shadows Out Of Time is a text adventure game that begins with you, a student at Oxford, waking up in your favorite chair in the Old Bodleian Upper Reading Room.  In front of you is a copy of Lovecraft’s Shadow Out Of Time, which you were reading before you fell asleep.  Upon waking up, you discover that the library appears to be deserted.  Further searching reveals that the entire town appears to be bereft of human life!  Are you alone or is there something with you?  You’ll have to explore to find out.

Shadows out of Time is a choose your own adventure-style game.  You read the descriptions and then you decide which of two options to go with.  Do you go out to the quad or do you continue to explore the library?  Do you try to reach Rad Cam or do you steal a bike and try to return to your home?  It can be a challenging game but, fortunately, you always have the option to “wake up” if you want try again.  (Or you can “stay asleep forever.”)

It’s an atmospheric game that captures the unique feel of Oxford.  (The game itself was obviously specifically written for students at Oxford.  For any Americans who may want to play, Radcliffe Camera is not a camera shop.)  It’s an entertaining tour through haunted Oxford.  You can play it here.