| The Excavation of Hob's Barrow | |
| Developer: | Cloak and Dagger Games[1] |
| Publisher: | Wadjet Eye Games |
| Designer: | Shaun Aitcheson [2] |
| Artist: | John Inch [3] |
| Engine: | Adventure Game Studio[4] |
| Platforms: | |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Modes: | Single-player |
The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is a folk horror point-and-click adventure game developed by Cloak and Dagger Games and published by Wadjet Eye Games in 2022. Players attempt to solve a mystery in rural England during the Victorian era.
Players control Thomasina Bateman, a Victorian antiquary who has been invited to the fictional village of Bewlay to excavate a tumulus. Upon arrival, she is discouraged from this pursuit by the unwelcoming local villagers. Leonard Shoulder, the man who invited her, is initially nowhere to be found. Players can gain the villagers' favor by performing tasks for them, which take the form of puzzles. The graphics are stylized pixel art and occasionally include close-ups that are more detailed. As she investigates further, Bateman encounters various folk horror plots in the village.[5] The story is narrated by Bateman several years after the events of the game have taken place.[6]
Developed by Shaun Aitcheson, John Inch and Laurie MH of Cloak and Dagger Games,[7] it was published by Wadjet Eye Games for Linux, Mac, and Windows on September 28, 2022, and for Switch on January 25, 2023.[8]
For much of the development period the game was known as INCANTAMENTUM.[9]
Hob Hurst's House, a Bronze Age barrow on Beeley Moor near Bakewell in Derbyshire, was an cited as an inspiration for the game by its writer Shaun Aitcheson.[10]
The Excavation of Hob's Barrow received "generably favorable reviews" according to Metacritic.[11] [12] PC Gamer described it as "a splendid adventure that's well paced, excellently voiced, and doesn't outstay its welcome."[5] Commenting on the atmosphere of dread, Rock Paper Shotgun said it feels like "a beautifully dank, damp, gloomy folk horror".[6] Eurogamers reviewer said the game stuck stuck in my mind after completing it, and he enjoyed thinking deeper about its plot and themes.[13] NPR strongly recommended it to "anyone who loves mysteries or story-focused games".[14] Adventure Gamers called it "an outstanding horror game", praising the story, art, voice acting, and puzzles.[15]
It was nominated for PC Gamers game of the year for 2022.[16] At Adventure Gamers, it won best drama writing,[17] best story,[18] and best traditional adventure.[19] It was nominated for best adventure game[20] and best voice acting.[21]
Samantha Béart was long listed for a BAFTA Games Award in the category of "Performer in a Leading Role" for their role as Thomasina Bateman.[22] Subsequently, Béart received a BAFTA Breakthrough award for their performance as Bateman. [23]