Haunting Ground - PS2

Described by Capcom as a ‘physiological thriller’, Haunting Ground, known as Demento in Japan, is a highly atmospheric horror/puzzle/adventure game. You play Fiona Belli, an 18 year old girl-next-door type living away from home. When she meets up with her parents, they are involved in a car accident where she is the only survivor. Fiona can’t remember anything happening after the accident, but she comes round in a large, unfamiliar castle.

Meeting some of the inhabitants of the castle, Fiona discovers that, as a result of her parents death, she has apparently become the castle’s heiress, but she can’t seem to find a way out. The denizens of the castle are a scary bunch indeed: there’s Daniella, the emotionless, puppet-like maid, and Debilitas the gardener, a horribly deformed and bitter man who chases Fiona relentlessly. Things take a turn for the better when Fiona comes across another prisoner in the castle – a splendid white German Shepherd by the name of Hewie. Somebody has shackled him, and when Fiona is able to release him, they become friends. Hewie has all the idiosyncracies of a real dog, and will trot around smelling things of interest and also attack enemies who threaten Fiona. Though Fiona is physically quite weak she is cunning and resourceful, but with Hewie’s strength and loyalty they may be able to survive together. You’ll have to put up with the eerie and menacing ambience of the castle, as well as the mysterious experiments going on there, as you try and solve the puzzles to find out why you are there, and if you can leave. more