MS-DOS Game 'Ecstatica'

[trickybus]

I have no experience with MS-DOS games.

I discovered Ecstatica (1994) through OneyPlays and I'm trying to find more information on it, particularly about the game's monster AI. I'm specifically impressed with the werewolf: he's got great path-finding, unique animations for ambushing the player, a solid (if somewhat cheap) grasp on the fighting mechanics, and displays self-preservation behavior when he experiences resistance.

I can't think of another retro survival horror game that has such diverse behavior for a chasing monster. Even survival horror games considered masterpieces, like Silent Hill 2, have basic monster interactions *insert metal pipe noises here*. Was it considered too action-y for survival horror? Did early console the hardware make similar feats nonviable? Inquiring minds just got to know!

The OneyPlays video for anyone who's curious:

And the Repo link:
https://retrogametalk.com/repository/msdos/ecstatica-dos-iso/

 

[Spike's iconSpike]

I remember uploading this for DOSBOX, it's weird yeah.

Also has a sequel

Ecstatica II screenshots - MobyGames

In-game screenshots for Ecstatica II

www.mobygames.com

EDIT: I found there's a re-release for windows on CD-ROM I'll upload that. Has better graphics allegedly.

 

[pr0xy]

I didn't know this game existed.
It actually looks pretty amazing, especially considering it's from 1994. I might give it a try next time I feel the itch for a horror game.

 

[Pinballbuzzbro]

This game in general is insanely impressive. The rly smooth animations, the use of pre-rendered backgrounds and vectorman sprites, the sheer ammount of unique enemies and characters there are, it's basically the precursor to resident evil and deserves to be talked about just as much (if not more) than sweet home and alone in the dark when it comes to innovating the survival horror genre. Also it has a sentient table boss fight which instantly makes it a 10/10

 

[lil_thang]

i only heard about this through a youtube year or so ago, this upload is for the sequel but pretty sure he covered the first as well. not helpful to your technical query but might give some background info or something