Atmosfear product reviews

A couple of years ago I was able to pick up a near new edition of the VHS game, not an issue at the time because some lovely, random, internet stranger had uploaded the video footage onto YouTube (a handy place to look for any game that required a VCR) but it wasn't really a hit and felt a bit clunky overall. The DVD version takes what works in the original but is able to upgrade that a bit - when you first begin play it asks you which characters are playing, so you're never going to have a character referenced and sit there waiting to be able to make your next move. The kids enjoyed the Gate Keeper, fully getting into game mode and responding, only problem was that sometimes they found him too funny and we missed out on his instructions.

The aim is to collect one key of each colour and not have the black key, before heading to the center and hope you pull out your fear first time (otherwise you're just stuck there until your next turn and you can try again). The keys aren't too hard to collect, being able to chose between rolling one dice or two was handy (unless you had the plague, then you were restricted). The only thing we didn't note in the rules was if there was any limit on how many keys you could have (I ended up having to double up some of my keys at a few points).

This was a fun game (I also have a Star Trek themed one) and we enjoyed it enough that I think we might hold onto it.

I played it with a few friends at a games night and as we set it up I thought this might be a complicated game, the instructions backed up this thought.

I was then to learn that one of the players would be the zombie dude's representative, which ment a person that has the rules during the game to make sure no cheating happens and to answer questions about the game. I was hoping (sweating) that it wouldn't be me thinking that I would be asking most of the questions. But I was the chosen one.

As the game started the rules became pretty simple to understand, a learn as you play type of game.

So if you look past all the constant abuse from the zombie.... that really makes U WANT TO GRRRRRRRRR...... it turns out to be a very enjoyable fast paced game as you only have about 50 minutes to complete it or you lose, as we did, but it leaves you eager to have another game.

I played the original game of 'Nightmare' many years ago, and found it quite simple and not particularly engaging. Not to mention the idea of yelling 'Yes, my gatekeeper!' to a television screen seemed quite pointless and silly. So, it was with a little bit of uncertainty that I agreed to play this game.

The board was set, the gamers ready and waiting. A lengthy and, towards the end, slightly confusing explanation of the rules, and we were good to go.

It was really fun. Time flew by reasonably quickly. time cards and fate cards adding quite a good twist with actions to be performed at certain times, or to other players' characters.

I found it still quite a self-conscious thing yelling at the t.v. but that soon went as the game progressed.

Overall, a good game, well worth more of my time.

Many years ago, I encountered a game called 'Nightmare' - it was a VHS tape and a board game and it was fun, novel and totally unlike anything on the market at the time.

Now, at last, we have the newest edition... Atmosfear. Based on DVD, this version offers many improvements over the older game. Firstly, the graphics are astoundingly different. With an almost seamless blend of real-life actor (The Gatekeeper) and CGI imagery, the game now has a much more interesting feel to it.

Also, with the introduction of random branching plot elements, it doesn't matter how many times you play the disc, you'll end up with a different game. (I ran through the disc 5 times and it was different and unpredictable each time - a definite step up from the VHS tape).

Gone are the old cardboard keys, doomed to a short lifetime of rapid dog ears and being bent out of shape, etc. Now there are dinky plastic colour-coded keys and a nifty little rack that allows you to keep track of them easily. I suggest that you practice the simple skill of randomly shuffling your keys around too... otherwise, an observant opponent may challenge you to a duel and pick the key you most need.

Overall, the consensus of the players was that it needs to be played a few times to get the hang of the rules (which can get a little messy when dealing with keys) before the full flavour of the game can be enjoyed. So... it's weekly sessions of Atmosfear for us. :) But, be aware that once the game is underway, the ONLY command the DVD player will accept is the MENU button. There are no subtitles (making the game difficult for hearing-impaired players) and you can't pause, rewind or speed up the game, so pay attention, you only get one shot at the Gatekeeper's instructions.