Fascination (video game) explained
Fascination is an erotic thriller graphic adventure game developed by Tomahawk and published by Coktel Vision for the Amiga, Atari ST, and MS-DOS in 1991.
Gameplay
Fascination is a first person point and click game, the player picks up objects or interacts with the environment (activating or moving objects) using the mouse cursor. The player advances the plot by solving puzzles.
Plot
The protagonist is a flight stewardess. A passenger who died on the last flight gave her a suitcase containing a capsule containing a secret substance. That secret capsule gets her involved in a murder mystery.
Reception
Fascination received mixed reviews reception upon its release, including some very positive review scores of upwards of 90% for the PC version in French magazines; the Amiga reviews ranging from a high 80% in CU Amiga, through moderate 67% and 65% in Amiga Power and Amiga Format, to only 51% and 47% in Amiga Action and Amiga Computing.[1] Retrospectively, Richard Cobbett of PC Gamer opined the game has had "perhaps the stupidest ending of any game in history".[2]
Polish scholar Filip Jankowski criticized Cobbett's opinion, remarking that Fascinations ending predicted the finale of David Fincher's film The Game (1997). Compared to Fincher's film, Fascination more evidently criticizes capitalism. Jankowski stated that in the game's ending, all game characters turn out to participate in a murder party, the majority of them belonging to the white male establishment responsible for the pornographic content of the game world. Thus, leaving the area of the murder party, Doralice questions the patriarchal norms. Jankowski also stressed that Fascination was among the first video games featuring the female protagonist and adopting her viewpoint.[3]
Overall Reception:
- Critical Reception: The game received mixed to positive reviews upon release, with some critics appreciating its unique blend of adult content and traditional adventure gameplay, while others were less impressed by its execution. The game was often seen as a curiosity due to its provocative themes, which were a major talking point in reviews.
- Graphics and Sound: The graphics of Fascination were generally well-regarded for the time, with detailed hand-drawn scenes that fit the game’s semi-erotic narrative. The game utilized the capabilities of the Amiga and MS-DOS platforms to deliver visually appealing environments, though the animation was somewhat limited. The sound design, including the music and voice work (where applicable), was considered decent, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the game.
- Gameplay: As a point-and-click adventure, Fascination offered typical gameplay for the genre, including puzzle-solving and inventory management. However, the gameplay was seen as relatively straightforward and less complex than other adventure games of the time, which led to some criticism regarding its depth. The puzzles were sometimes criticized for being illogical or arbitrary, a common issue in adventure games of that era.
- Storyline and Themes: The narrative of Fascination involves a mystery with adult overtones, focusing on a young woman who becomes embroiled in a plot involving a deadly aphrodisiac. The story was divisive; while some appreciated its boldness and novelty, others found it to be shallow or sensationalist. The game’s focus on adult content was a significant part of its identity, but it also limited its appeal to a broader audience.
Ratings:
- Magazine and Review Scores:
- Amiga Action gave the game a score of 75%, noting that while it was an interesting and visually appealing game, its appeal might be limited due to its niche content.
- CU Amiga provided a slightly more favorable review, with a score in the 80% range, appreciating the game’s graphical quality and its appeal to fans of the adventure genre, but cautioning that it wasn’t for everyone due to its mature themes.
- Power Play (a German gaming magazine) gave it a more critical score, around 60%, mentioning that while the game was intriguing, the gameplay and puzzles were not as strong as those found in other adventure games.
- Player Reception: Among players, Fascination developed a small, cult following, particularly among those who were interested in the game’s unique themes. However, it never achieved widespread popularity, in part due to its adult content and in part because it was overshadowed by more universally acclaimed adventure games of the time, such as those from LucasArts and Sierra.
Notes and References
- Web site: Amiga magazines - Amiga Magazine Rack . Amr.abime.net . 2015-08-12.
- Web site: Richard Cobbett . Saturday Crapshoot: Fascination . PC Gamer . 2011-10-08 . 2015-08-12.
- Jankowski . Filip . 2020 . The Presence of Female Designers in French Video Game Industry, 1985–1993 . Games and Culture . en . 15 . 6 . 678–679 . 10.1177/1555412019841954 . 150836593 . 1555-4120.
