Last Half of Darkness - Softlab on SynTax PD 423
        (Point & click semi-graphical adventure for PC)

                 Reviewed by Alex McEwan

The title of this shareware game from Softlab of San Diego is a
bit misleading as it is actually the first section of a two part
semi-graphical adventure.  Softlab claim that each part is a game
in its own right, and that part 2 picks up where part 1 finishes.
I found that the ending of part 1 was too abrupt to be considered
a self contained game.

The game works on a point and select type interface where you
choose your actions from a list of only eleven verbs, (including
SAVE, LOAD, and QUIT) and apply it to an object in one of the
three windows on the screen.  The largest of the windows gives a
graphical representation of your current location. The others show
the items in your inventory, and the possible exits from the room.
You move around by selecting GO from the verb list and clicking on

either a doorway in the main window or the small box representing
the door in the 'exits' window.

The plot centres around the recent death of your aunt who was a
practising witch. At the time of her death she was working on some
type of potion. You stand to inherit her wealth if you carry on
her work, by finding the ingredients needed to complete the brew.

As I have never liked point and click interfaces, I was a bit wary
of playing this game but decided to give it a fair trial within
the obvious limitations.  I was pleasantly surprised with the
creepy atmosphere which had been created within the old house
which provides the location for the action. Wandering around the
house and grounds I came across a number of people and 'things'
that all seemed intent on killing me in the most gruesome fashion.
After a few violent deaths and a bit of basic exploration, I
decided that it was time to make a concentrated effort to do
something rather than wander aimlessly.


At this point I found that the 'enemies' were not permanently
present in the locations. This meant that if you entered a room
and were killed by the vampire twins, you could simply reload and
try again until you found the room empty. This was a bit annoying
as having died as a result of losing an arm to a rather nasty dog,
I went back to the location prepared to have my revenge, only to
find the dog did not appear. The sense of anti-climax here was
nothing to that felt at the end of the game.

During play it becomes clear that part of your quest is to create
and use a potion which will bring a dead girl back to life. A few
hidden passages and a rather out of place computer, provide the
items and information needed to help you achieve this. When the
lady in question is revived she opens a locked box which gives you
a message from your aunt telling you to get out, and you find
yourself back at the DOS prompt.

I think the whole thing took less than half an hour to complete,
and I can only hope that the second part provides more of a
challenge. Unfortunately the very limited size and scope of Part
1 did not convince me that it would be worth investing the $20
required as a registration fee to find out.