Games

5 Days a Stranger
Author: Yahtzee Resolution: 320x200 at 16-bit color Downloaded: 51058 times (1 Mb) Genres: Contemporary, Horror, Original Length: Medium length games
Added on: 22 September 2003 Website: http://www.fullyramblomatic.com/5days/ Ratings: AGS Panel: (what is this?) Player rating: 88% Awards won: Best Game Created with AGS 2003 Best Gameplay 2003 Best Dialogue Scripting 2003 Best Puzzles 2003 Best Scripting 2003 Get in, get the loot, get out... that's how it usually goes for master cat burglar Trilby. But after he breaks into the supposedly vacated country manor erstwhile of the aristocratic DeFoe family, he quickly finds that things are not that simple. Together with a group of strangers, he finds himself imprisoned by some invisible intelligence. A force prepared to do anything to keep them there. Download Now (if the download doesn't work, try Right Click, Save Target As)
User ratings for 5 Days a Stranger:
From 474 peoples votes so far: (vote here) Visual: 79% Immersion: 89% Puzzles & Pacing: 85% Overall Enjoyment: 88% You can see a detailed breakdown of the votes.
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Other games by Yahtzee:
1213 Episode 1 (Medium length games) 1213 Episode 2 (Medium length games) 1213 Episode 3 (Medium length games) 6 Days a Sacrifice (Medium length games) 7 Days a Skeptic (Medium length games) Adventures in the Galaxy of Fantabulous Wonderment (Medium length games) Rob Blanc I - Better Days of a Defender of the Universe (Short games) Rob Blanc II - Planet of the Pasteurised Pestilence (Medium length games) Rob Blanc III - The Temporal Terrorists (Medium length games) The Art of Theft (Non-adventure games) The Trials of Odysseus Kent (Medium length games) Trilby's Notes (Medium length games)
AGS Panel review for this game:
The AGS Review Panel has left a comment about this game: Ben 'Yahtzee' Croshaw's first entry in this popular series provides a solid gaming experience that entertains and even provides a few scares. 4 Cups!
User comments about 5 Days a Stranger:
Posted by R. M. Brennan on 2009-12-23 at 22:56 (IP logged): I think that the game itself is a brilliant game, superbly well-written with a good antagonist figure. the game's history has been thoroughly planned-out and well executed, and the puzzles were fun and I never had to trek around wondering just what to do. 5 Days is an example to anyone making a game with AGS of how to create a well-paced enjoyable game. Posted by j on 2009-11-05 at 10:05 (IP logged): One question... hopefully it hasn't been answered already or that I blinked during the game and missed it... but how did the brother get buried in the bathroom if he was the last living soul in the house? Posted by Crimson Wizard on 2009-08-29 at 20:50 (IP logged): Actually finished this game back in 2008 (or maybe it was 2007? don't remember exactly), but realized I forgot to vote/comment it. Firstly, I actually agree with people who say it is not so much a "true" adventure game, but rather an interactive story, nevertheless I LOVED it. This was one of the first AGS games I played (maybe second or third one) and I must say that this game perhaps made me addicted to AGS :). Quite spooky and thrilling, with interesting story behind, charismatic characters and wonderful intro (music is lovely). Best played at night with lights off and nobody else around! :) Posted by taniav on 2009-08-17 at 03:15 (IP logged): Geez, I can't stop until finish it. Interesting story! Posted by gameguru on 2009-06-21 at 04:07 (IP logged): Excellent characers, excellent puzzles, excellent story, excellent everything. EExcept the graphics. They could have been done a little better. Posted by Sledgy on 2009-06-07 at 14:42 (IP logged): There's Russian version ^_^ http://raritet-site.narod.ru/files/5days_RUS.rar 5-7 Days are cool !!! Posted by pick yer poison on 2009-05-28 at 03:23 (IP logged): This is my third favorite AGS game, and the other ones are 7 Days a Skeptic and Trilby's Notes. This game constantly surprised me by actually being scary (or at least very creepy), despite its pixelated look. The characters are great, although I did laugh when Jim died; I kind of expected it after he said, "It's every man for himself!" The music and sound effects were, in my opinion, well placed. The music was not annoying or all over the place, and it complemented the mood quite nicely. Same with the sound effects. In the end, I think this game is well worth the 4 cups it has (at this moment). Posted by spanish_roboteer on 2009-02-08 at 21:24 (IP logged): What can I say, if this game does not deserve 5 cups no one does! :) Posted by Anon on 2009-01-06 at 12:32 (IP logged): fantastic! one of the best ags games Posted by federexwow_69 on 2008-11-22 at 03:26 (IP logged): Only one word: Exellent The series are great!! I loved when the whole story was revealed in Trilby's note! This "cuadrilogy" is a must-play! Posted by Dharma_and_Greg#1fan on 2008-05-21 at 06:59 (IP logged): Nice game, the story was interesting and makes me want to check out the other games in the series. Somewhat short, but not disappointingly so. I think I played through in a single sitting. Some of it was a bit predictable which kept it from being as immersing as it could have been. Also, Trilby without his mask looked weak, keep that shit on. Posted by rbaleksandar on 2008-03-28 at 15:37 (IP logged): Superb! Too short though. But the story and the atmosphere are great, the characters awsome etc. etc. (you get the point ;)). This is a must-play game. Thanks, man, you rock! Posted by alpha45 on 2008-03-09 at 15:13 (IP logged): Great game. the storyline was well done, and the game has a nice atmosphere. One of the best ags games ever. Posted by Spc120 on 2007-12-11 at 00:14 (IP logged): This Game is awesome!!!!!!!!!. With great animations, sprites, Backgrounds and puzzles. Posted by DrWee on 2007-11-02 at 19:07 (IP logged): This was the game that pulled me into adventure gaming. This is a classic. If you haven't played it yet you are missing out. The best of the series. (I recommend playing this, then 7 Days A Skeptic, followed by Trilby's Notes, and 6 Days A Sacrifice.) This is a must play. Starts out slow, but it sure speeds up! Posted by Mcboy on 2007-10-27 at 17:23 (IP logged): If there is such a thing as THE AGS GAME then this is it. Ok, at first glance the graphics aren't outstanding but the story, the dialog, the characters, the atmosphere, the puzzles and almost everything else is brilliant, better than many professional adventure games. Posted by Optimus on 2007-06-22 at 16:45 (IP logged): It's the first AGS game I ever played and it really got me started into the DeFoe mystery and Trilby character. The puzzles are quite satisfactory and logical. The plot made me willing to finish this and all other yahtzee games based on the same story. Finish this and later go on with 7days, Trilby's Notes and at the end with 6days in this order. They get even better than this! Posted by adventurer on 2007-05-14 at 21:06 (IP logged): You are a writer? This story through the four game is perfect! Posted by szabod on 2007-05-14 at 20:59 (IP logged): You make this beautiful characters, and backgrounds? Can you say a graphics maker program for me? Posted by szabod on 2007-05-14 at 20:52 (IP logged): This is the best game quadrilogy of the world. This games is amazing. Cool! Posted by glamrocker91 on 2007-03-16 at 15:00 (IP logged): This is one of Yahtzee's greatest games to date, it has alot of work put into it and really showcases the Adventure Game Studio engine. The Graphics are astonishing well hand drawn graphics. The Music is great at pulling you into the game world. The story is amazing could actually become a national best seller if someone does write a novel about it, the characters grow throughout the story and they have great stories to begin with and its just overall a great game, play it you will like it. Posted by cajunpepper on 2007-03-12 at 19:57 (IP logged): This game was amazing, I really got into it. Great job. Posted by Fleshstalker on 2007-03-03 at 22:43 (IP logged): This is the 3rd AGS made game that I have played, the first being "Maniac Mansion Deluxe" and second by the name of " A Tale of Betrayal". So you could say that this is really the 2nd original AGS made game that I have played, since Maniac Mansion Deluxe is actually a remake using the AGS program with the original Maniac Mansion. Any how, 5 Days a Stranger is the best AGS made game I have played so far (I haven't fully played all the other AGS games I have been downloading for the past 3 or so days). Visuals: 85% Great use of colors and graphics being this is over 3 years old. Very good animation. Immersion: 90% The intro really draws you in. The cast of characters are very well thought out with a good amount of backstory to them to make them believeable. The sound effects and music fit it just right as well. Puzzles and Pacing: 90% Excellent puzzles and nothing seems forced. Very well executed and had me stumped on about 2 of them, but made sense. Superb! Overall Enjoyment:95% That was a nice length game with a great atmosphere that pulls you in. Excellent cast of characters. Trilby is one memorbale character I will never forget. This has to be the most enjoyable AGS made game I've played. Posted by CapCase on 2007-01-27 at 04:26 (IP logged): One of the spookiest games I have played. And I don't spook easily. It really sets the mood even though the graphics aren't anything to speak of (though they do the job okay). Most of the puzzles are well done, though not all. For instance you may want to "speak" to a certain item more than once. Also, the story is rather contrived in places and full of plot holes. But the characters are interesting and the game sets the mood so well that I barely noticed the flaws. I was spooked enough that I did not want to send my character into the basement. Great game! Posted by Granknight on 2007-01-06 at 14:33 (IP logged): Good job! Only thing to improve is graphics, there should be more realistic background, i thing grayer colors and a bit of shading would do. ;) Posted by samtam90 on 2006-12-17 at 18:52 (IP logged): One of the best games you can find in this website. Even if character development isn't so deep (especially for Trilby), the story is absolutely great (the ending leaves many questions and make you want to play the first sequel, 7 days a skeptic, which STILL leave even more questions, and the second sequel, Trilby's notes). Probably the only criticism I can move against this game is that sometimes it's hard to figure out what to do to advance with the plot, but this is only a minor complaint. Beware that 5DaS is very scary sometimes (although not as much as Trilby's notes)* and it's also quite gory, menaning it's not a game for children. 9/10 Posted by MaddieGail62 on 2006-12-11 at 05:27 (IP logged): My absolute favorite all time game ever. No exaggeration. I love the VGA graphics, and the atmospere is perfect! I was actually scared to move from my computer until I finished the game. Not only that, but Trilby is my favorite character I think I've ever encountered in a game. 10/10. Flawlesss Posted by kantor_98 on 2006-11-14 at 08:56 (IP logged): It is the proof that you don't need 1.000.000 GB to create an extraordinary game. Perfect story. Posted by Greyhound on 2006-09-19 at 07:15 (IP logged): FX were really good such as footsteps and creaking doors - suited the haunted house theme and I really enjoyed this game. - Well done Posted by Louigi Verona on 2006-09-04 at 02:19 (IP logged): Creepy sound effects are what I loved about the game. However, I didn't like the graphics, gives a very amateur feel, and the music too. Posted by SinSin on 2006-08-30 at 09:26 (IP logged): Absolutly fantastic I enjoyed it thoroughly Great great GREAT Come out of retirement and make some more Posted by KingMick on 2006-07-31 at 15:49 (IP logged): Yahtzee is a legend in the AGS community by now, and this is probably his absolute best game. I have played very, very few AGS games I enjoyed as much as 5 Days a Stranger. From beginning to end--great story, amazing atmosphere, just overall a great feel. What I'd really love to see now, even more than more games by Yahtzee, is a remake of this game--better, high-res graphics and maybe a bonus puzzle or two. Three thumbs up! Posted by AnT hook on 2006-07-17 at 07:28 (IP logged): One of the best AGS games. Creepy, smart, beautiful and well-written. Loved every second of it. Posted by globalizer on 2006-07-12 at 12:32 (IP logged): after i played the game, il looked for the the continuation in the www. and found it: i played "trilby´s note" (hard for a runaway in english language - i am german, ecuse me ;) an "7days a sceptic". 5 and 7 days more than one times. i would prefer less of occult - perhaps more logical reasons for stranger.. like.. mhh.. you know the ??? from alfred hitchcock? ;) always a explainable reason for mistery :) .. but at all: very good work!! thanks Posted by ophilius on 2006-05-24 at 04:10 (IP logged): Great game. Great story. Great characters. Good graphics for a 320x200. Wasn't too fond of the music however, since I've heard those RPG maker songs millions of times. But that's an aside. :P Posted by ophilius on 2006-05-24 at 04:08 (IP logged): Great game. Great story. Great characters. Great graphics for a 320x200. Wasn't too fond of the music, as I've heard those RPG maker songs a million times. But that's an aside. :P Posted by Blizzaga Dragon on 2006-03-22 at 11:09 (IP logged): This game is awesome. A little creepy and gory but interesting. There was also plenty of suspense. Posted by mwahahaha on 2006-01-29 at 01:59 (IP logged): Great game through and through, I loved it, although some bits were just a bit confusing sometimes ( the metal detector bit, for example ) it never ceased to be fun. My only complaint is that it takes quite a while to get to the actual puzzel solving bits. (IMO, 7 days is better!) Posted by Cam Shea on 2006-01-27 at 05:04 (IP logged): I really liked your article in Hyper Magazine. Bloody interesting it was, and it lead me to this site. Well done on the game as well. Posted by Puppet Master on 2006-01-14 at 11:37 (IP logged): This is better than most professional hollywood horror movies. PLAY IT NOW! Posted by Plaguewielder on 2005-12-27 at 05:11 (IP logged): Superb game and a turning point for Yahtzee. I'll try doing this without spoilers. Anyway, the game has decent yet fitting graphics and excellently chosen music which is somewhat eerie and directly fits into the atmosphere the game wishes to create. Thanks to the music and the way the story builds, you'd be feeling like a killer could jump out at anytime (in the game) and kill you. Yet, what makes this game stands out from other AGS games is it's unmatchable plot, everything is sketched out with true perfection and Trilby's nightmares are an excellent feature to the game. Truly, a groundbreaking game in AGS and seeing that it has won 5 awards - I believe it has got it's due. The game is so immersive that once you start playing, you wont let go till your done. 9/10 for everything and 10/10 for the plot Posted by GabySoft on 2005-12-02 at 03:31 (IP logged): What Great GAME!!! I dont stop of play it until finish it, in a morning. Great Final, the music its very common to me and another, but fit perfectly. I agree with anothers with these things about food & these moment of "What i must do now?" The problems is logical, i find it even easy sometimes. The graphics are Great, for be an indie game. This is my first AGS game i played and ... OMG ! Im wishing download de program and give it a look!! Posted by longpantsman on 2005-08-19 at 20:38 (IP logged): Wonderful game, scared the crap out of me at times, but still remained funny. great ending Posted by Tremulas on 2005-07-16 at 08:46 (IP logged): Excellent story !!! I'm downloading 7 days and expecting the same. Well done! Posted by guybrush on 2005-07-15 at 13:11 (IP logged): I don't usually comment on games, but this is a work of a genius, i like it very much. One of the best AGS games there is! Yahtzee, you're the man! Posted by TheHidden on 2005-07-12 at 02:22 (IP logged): Great atmosphere ! Sometimes you are almost scared to enter the next room. Good work on this part ! The Puzzles were good, except from some pixelhunting which made me search for the walkthrough. I hate it, when I have the right idea , but the character won't do it because you didn't get the few right pixels to pick up that particular item. The graphics are OK for that kind style, but could be better. Posted by Copterman on 2005-06-15 at 09:24 (IP logged): This was my first AGS game to play and I must say I'm hooked. There is something exhilirating about sharing in someone's creative abilities. When playing 5Days, I could tell how much went into creating this game simpy for the pleasure of doing so rather than money. As far as the game goes, I really enjoyed it. At first, I was a little nervous (almost scared). Opening the shower curtain for the first time was especially frightening. Once it was apparent what the menace was I was no longer scared. Instead, I felt determination to rid the world of this abomination. I enjoyed it and am now hooked on AGS games. Posted by ganome on 2005-03-04 at 15:40 (IP logged): wow i was riveted good grafics good plot great sound and music good ending good controls 5 out of 5 Posted by Shpongled on 2005-02-20 at 05:37 (IP logged): The game kept me hooked all night last night, until 6am. I was wearing a pair of headphones, and the "whispering" sounds and footsteps started to really creep me out. I hated being in the "basement room," because it just spooked the hell out of me. I think the game is really great and the storyline is too, but I found a problem with one of the puzzles. First puzzle that was kind-of rediculous was the tiles in the bathroom. I walked around the house for at-least an hour clicking on random things, because I didn't know I had to UNdo the device I had put together. Couldn't I have just used the machette while it was attached? Other than the detach-the-machette puzzle, the game was very enjoyable for me and the designer has some talent that I hope we'll see more of soon. Thanks for the great game, would love to see some more scary works. Posted by aRealAdventureFan on 2005-01-16 at 16:28 (IP logged): JackDark gives an excellent review of this game. I'm sorry, but it really doesn't deserve all this recognition! It has got excellent, consistent graphics and animation for an amateur-made game with an immersive atmosphere, but that's it! The biggest problem with the game is that it's a BRUTE FORCE adventure game. The majority of puzzles you solve will not be based on clues, but simply on clicking around with every possible action and item to see what happens next. Don't get me wrong, there are some puzzles that are logical, but far too many of them provide absolutely no visual or verbal cues - you just walk around a static house with a very limited number of rooms back and forth trying different things until you find something that works. If this trial-and-error no-hint no-visual cue-style gameplay is what people think of as the 'Best Puzzles of 2003', I think that the quality of non-commercial adventure games is in a poor state. The game may last you several hours or more. For me it lasted 5 or 6 hours. I endured the poor logic and bad puzzles because the game does do something very nicely - it keeps you wanting to find out what happens next. As an interactive story, it does deserve some recognition. However, had it not been for the brute force style of puzzle-solving, the game would have lasted me 10 to 20 minutes tops. It only packs about that much content. However, when you go through a game as frustrating as this, you expect something great and ultimately satisfying at the end. While the game does manage to immerse you into the story, what really happens is that it provides a very promising and potentially horrific beginning, and then devolves into a slew of silliness with no real twist or anything of that sort - just a bunch of crude explanations on the state of affairs. At the end I felt cheated out of something interesting all together, and the game has one of the most anti-climactic endings I've ever seen. Posted by Bigmac on 2004-12-29 at 08:05 (IP logged): This was the first AGS-engine based game I've played and it one of the best. Yahtzee made one hell of a storyline and the music suited the mood of the game.The graphics were detailed for a 300x200 game and I have now played this many times.If you are reading this and haven't downloaded this game yet, get a move on! Posted by madmanmunt on 2004-10-03 at 05:50 (IP logged): 5 Days a Stranger was my introduction to AGs games. I downloaded it from Yahtzee's own site, which in turn lead me to this site and a treasure trove of games. As an introduction to AGs adventure gaming, 5 Days a Stranger is just right and should please old and new gamers alike. Although Yahtzee purposefully states that this is an experiment in dramatic character development and not a comedic game like his others, there are plenty of hilarious moments in 5 Days a Stranger (including what I still consider to be the finest closing line in an AGs game), as well as some truly spine-chilling surprises. The main character, Trilby, is a sedate but likable lead and the other inhabitants of the house, particularly the angry young man Philip, are memorable recreations of well-known stereotypes. The real trump card of 5 Days a Stranger is the wonderful, claustrophobic atmosphere that makes the player feel as if they are right there in the house. I played this game late at night and jumped out of my skin at least once. Also, the interaction between the characters is impressively convincing. There is a real warmth in the protective attitude everyone has towards Jim and a sort of dysfunctional family vibe develops. I developed a real affection for these guys and caring what happens to the characters keeps you gripped throughout and the puzzles were not so hard that I became frustrated but not so easy that I finished the game too quickly. Although it boasts some nice graphics and good puzzles, 5 Days a Stranger is made a classic by the excellent writing. The story, the dialogue and a very satisfying climax make this one a must, an already highly revered classic. Posted by Tommy Filth on 2004-09-25 at 21:21 (IP logged): This is probably one of the best adventure games I've ever played, and I'm not just saying that to get on the author's good side. The story is fantastic, the characters actually have some true depth to them (or, as much as is possible for the medium the game is presented in), and despite the lack of a huge budget, top-shelf technology and a state-of-the-art physics engine, this game actually packs a few genuine scares. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, John Carmack. If the big boys of gaming want me to be scared, maybe they should stop playing with the lights and put some effort into their games like Yahtzee obviously did. Posted by JackDark on 2004-09-02 at 17:24 (IP logged): This seems to be the most highly recommended game to be found here at AGS. And by many means I can see why 5 Days comes in such high regard. However, I feel that 5 Days is no where near the masterpiece it is claimed to be by so many, not to say that 5 Days is a bad game. Let's look at the highlights and misteps then: Highlights: 5 Days A Stranger has an EXCELLENT story, very unusual and untypical of the genre. It could be a book, or better yet, a great horror film. The plot and characters are all quite interesting (though knowing more about AJ would of been nice) and the dialogue maintains a constant degree of intrigue. The graphics, while not commercial quality by any standard, are very serviceable. The animations put into play are done very well considering the more blase artwork. I feel the Yahtzee could of made the graphics much better had he spent more time on them. However, in his defense the graphics do maintain a constant standard. So nothing sticks out as horrible more than anything sticks out as decently okay. Again, though, the animations were great for a fanmade title. So on the positive side, the graphics and story of 5 Days hold up considerably well given the genre and the one-man-army methodology behind it. The game maintained my interest long enough to finish it, given the intrigue of the story. So in those regards, 5 Days is not a failure. Missteps: There are some -serious- logic holes in this game. Firstly, the fact that no one can -leave- the house, despite the fact that the house and even the front doors are full of windows. Why couldn't Trilby or his fellow prisoners not just bust a window out on the ground floor? When Trilby first enters the DeFoe house, he's wearing a black velvet mask to cover his face, but he's not wearing any gloves to deter leaving fingerprints?! Trilby can open the large safe WITHOUT lockpicks, but he can't pick any of the simple doors until he gets some?! WHY would the ghost bother to drive Trilby's car into the backyard?! WHAT were the 5 people eating during this whole time? 5 Days takes into account that they had to -sleep- but there is no food available anywhere within the DeFoe house, other than a large bag of salt. How is it that Trilby can carry a 2-man saw, a metal detector, a pickaxe, the bones of a corpse, etc... but can't carry a simple hunting rifle due to it's "weight"?! The list of illogical circumstances just go on and on in this game. I wouldn't nitpick a game in this regard usually, but 5 Days makes itself out to be a very serious adventure, but constantly falls flat on it's face in the reality department. I found such missteps quite often detracted from any sense of immersion I would of attained without them. I found the puzzles in this game to be highly aggravating. They all seem simple in hindsight, but hindsight is always 20/20. You are hardly ever given any clue as to what you are suppose to do next, and when you are, it's always vague. 5 Days resorts to the player having to constantly revisit the same areas over and over again clicking on everything randomly hoping that some new action or event will occur eventually. It's aggravating and illogical. The perfect example of this is during Day 1, I examined the tree and shook it and nothing happened. Later that day, when I had to find Jim, how the heck was I suppose to know to shake the tree again? Yahtzee could of left some sort of clue like Jim's feet standing on a branch or -something-. Instead you are left to your own devices to click on everything until you figure out Jim's hiding in the tree that you've already searched once before and found nothing. So, in that regard, the puzzles may be simple and easy, but they are presented in such an irrational manner that they instead become tedious and distractive, ruining the suspense of disbelief you might attain otherwise. I've beat KQ6 and QFG2 without walkthroughs, I think I know my way around puzzles, insofar as they are presented logically. Conclusion: While 5 Days A Stranger is a fine game, especially given it's humble creation, I don't think it quite deserves the 10 star status that you often see it given on various indie game review sites. I think by spending more time thinking his games through before ever scripting a single event, Yahtzee could indeed create a 10 star mini-adventure. But 5 Days is not that game. It is however, a pleasant diversion, if you have the patience for illogical plot holes and unintuitive puzzles. Jack's Rating: 7/10 Posted by D_Dawn on 2004-07-28 at 17:05 (IP logged): 5 days and Pleurghburg: Dark Ages are my favorite games made in AGS. As you can tell, I'm really big on a serious story line. Not only did this game have a good story to it, but it also was very well done, Yahtzee has but so much time into his game, and I thank him so much for allowing me to play this amazing game for free. Posted by LostTraveler on 2004-07-23 at 18:47 (IP logged): Check out 5das Sequal, 7 days a skeptic found at yahtzees site Posted by sp on 2004-07-17 at 18:44 (IP logged): i liked that game. i admit that it freaked me out when: *SPOILERS* simone whacked my head when the first dream when the second dream, the skeleton jumped out when the portriat was a skeleton when aj was dead when my rival was dead when new killer maniac came in the bathroom i give it a 9/10 great job! create a sequal or a prequal Posted by vicepro on 2004-07-08 at 17:28 (IP logged): Yahtzee has really out done himself. I love the atmosphere, the setting, and the "horror". Not many games are like this. It has a great day changing engine, and things change each day. The story line is wonderful, and well thought out. It feels so closed in, almost like your in a real house, in real life. AGS usually gives you a very big and confusing feeling, but not this. I love the intro ending, and in between cutscenes. Trilby is quite an interesting character, as well as everyone else. The whole game feels so solemn. Heres some numeral ratings: Graphics:9/10 I can't give it a low rating because AGS can't really do better. The characters are well drawn, and I loooove that painting. Gameplay:10/10 The peak of AGS entertainment! If you can give me a better AGS gameplay experience, Ill give you 1000 dollars. Or pounds. Whatever. Sounds:6/10 When it comes, it comes. Kinda. Needs a bit more focusing. Atmosphere:10/10 Once again, the ultimate AGS atmosphere. Solemn, Closed in (small, but long), Scary, and you really know the characters. Characters (dialouge and personality):10/10 The characters play quite an excelent part in the storyline. This game really showed how good the "personalities" of game characters could be. Some people like to stick with you, while others just wanna kill you. Jim even idolizes you. The dialouge is very cool, and is fun reading Storyline:10/10 Wow. Amazing. Well planned, and it's like everything has a story to it. You can just sink right in. The days system is really cool. Everyday it tweaks the house, the areas, the people, and the famous portrait. Gotta love that picture! Overall:10/10 I don't care if it should be 8/10 or whatever, SCREW IT! THIS IS THE BEST EVER! Posted by brown on 2004-05-25 at 10:04 (IP logged): a very very nice game.......should everyone play it....... Posted by HillBilly on 2004-05-16 at 13:47 (IP logged): Awesome stuff. It got a little hard the last 2 games, but nothing a little coffee break can't solve. Lot's of drama and horror. Scary stuff! A must-play. Posted by Hollister_Man on 2004-05-07 at 15:18 (IP logged): Great game so far, I haven't finished it yet. I dislike having to wander, as I am a born cheater, I'll sooner get a walkthrough than wander aimlessly. The interface being non standard is annoying, to say the least, I'd have allowed the player to choose rather than have the goofy right-click=inventory that by now should feel un-intuitive to any adventure gamer. Posted by Broken Sword on 2004-04-29 at 06:55 (IP logged): Very, very good ! First of all Trilby is a very intriguing character. I really enjoyed "controlling" such a (for an adventure game) complex character. The story gets better and better as you play along. I really did enjoy gathering all the clues concerning the DeFoe family. Another pro is the location. The DeFoe manor reminded me of THE maniac mansion, which is a HUGE plus ! The interface isn´t perfect though. I would have preferred to choose the actions via right-click. Favourite parts: The intro The 2nd nightmare The changing painting The Showdown Posted by lissette311 on 2004-04-28 at 20:41 (IP logged): It was okay, needed a lot of help with some of the puzzles though. (Wandered around a bit). Posted by RastaJew on 2004-04-18 at 09:09 (IP logged): It's been a while since I played this game but if it had a bad interface it didn't stick in my mind. There were only a few problems I remember with it. At first when the character is wandering around the house looking at stuff he talks about not being able to get out before he's even attempted to or met anyone. The ending involves some stuff that didn't have any part in the mystery leading up to it. They were just sort of cliches. Looking back on the overall story it's a little bit generic and doesn't go into enough depth. It only seems to go as far as the puzzles require. There are other plot problems that people have mentioned like the game specifically mentioning that the fridge is empty but no one starves. No one seems to have tried to just bust out of the house or dig a tunnel either. Despite these things the game has GREAT atmosphere and really is scary. A couple of puzzles in particular helped the immersion because they weren't just "examine everything until something triggers" or "use every inventory item on everything". You had to have a plan beforehand and execute it properly to advance. I'd really like to see sequels. Posted by Dart on 2004-04-07 at 18:20 (IP logged): One of the best AGS games out there. Although the music is simple (eg. creaking in the background), it matches the game's creepy atmosphere perfectly. It would be nice if the author explained how the characters managed to live so far on so little provisions, but meh... Oh. My sister was scared stiff when she played this game. Good job, Yahtzee, for creating this wonderful game. Posted by Andy on 2004-03-29 at 01:17 (IP logged): This is a must play for any adventurer gamer! I agree with the first user comments about how they eat, and how the idol was focused on more, but overall this game was really enjoyable to play. I tell ya, I was freaked out going to bed afterwards, for the last couple of days, as the mystery unravelled. The question is, can YOU figure out the mystery when on day 5, you are asked if you can. It doesn't matter if you can't though, either way, it's an exciting game! Posted by Quinny on 2004-03-19 at 01:48 (IP logged): This game is awesome! This is the first AGS game I played and it's what got me interested in playing other AGS games. I didn't even know AGS existed until I played this! The atmosphere of this game is superb and I liked the character interaction and the way the story flowed. Posted by Unskinny Bob on 2004-03-03 at 13:10 (IP logged): Anyone else feel the need to keep checking over thier shoulder for intruders while playing this? Only me then. Posted by Czar on 2004-03-02 at 12:14 (IP logged): Very nice, it had a nice development of the story, the characters were well designed (pshychologicaly). Posted by Gilbot on 2004-03-01 at 23:45 (IP logged): It's a great game, if only the interface can be more friendly. Posted by Darren Johnson on 2004-02-22 at 11:55 (IP logged): This is clearly one of, if not, THE best games created with AGS. The story, graphics, characters, all contribute to this great game. WELL DONE!!! Posted by Alfa 1 on 2004-02-21 at 14:22 (IP logged): Oh my God! This game is so damn good! Good work Yahtzee! Man, this game had me so scared...Especially that dream part, when they were all lying dead, I mean, I buyed the trick, and when that woman with the scissors comes in, its just so damn good! The music makes you creep out, and the creeks and footsteps add to the atmosphere really nicely. Altogether- this is the best horror game I played in a long time... Posted by Ahmet (Gord10) on 2004-01-30 at 03:06 (IP logged): Great game! It is the best AGS game I've ever played. The nightmare cutscenes were wonderful. But if I were you, I wouldn't name the game as "5 Days a Stranger"; I thought it wasn't a scary game when I saw the game first time. And the red car in the garden was too small, isn't it? But the game was very good. We are waiting for new games :) Posted by raptorscout97 on 2004-01-20 at 17:58 (IP logged): Quite possibly the best adventure game I have ever played since the Hugo trilogy. Great graphics, gameplay and puzzles, and quite creepy too. A must play for every member. Posted by jrp on 2004-01-07 at 08:16 (IP logged): Brilliant. Probablly the best AGS game I ever player. I was so involved, that I had trouble sleeping. I think it´s the first amateur game I played with "gusto". usually I´m more focused on the "how far can the amateur comunity go", but this time I was sucked in. My only complain was the interfase, which I found a bit unfriendlly. Posted by Wormmaster on 2003-12-24 at 01:23 (IP logged): THIS GAME IS GREAT!!! It's big game. It needs about a hour to finally finish the game. Posted by Squinky on 2003-12-22 at 09:15 (IP logged): Whelp, I finally got around to playing this and I really enjoyed it. Great stuff, all of the "weak points" add to the character and feel of the game in my opinion, like the fact that you have to wander aimlessly around the house at some points...it all adds to the suspense and crap...anyway, good job Posted by Gonzo on 2003-12-12 at 02:51 (IP logged): Yahtzee has done it again, working secretly then releasing a stonking game when no-one expected it. This time he's ditched most of his great comedy (see the awesome Odysseus Kent) and concentrated on characterisation and an intense plot - we certainly don't see the former much in AGS games so it's exciting to see someone trying. The first few days are a bit slow, but once things get going it's a great intense horror plot. So long as you're not stuck for too long, the limited locations you can visit shouldn't get too dull, as it's always clear what you're supposed to be doing at any time. The effort he made with the characters should be applauded, but it falls short in that each day you've got set conversation topics and they don't change according to what you discover in the house etc. This makes it slightly less immersive, but the relationships between the characters are better fleshed-out than most amateur adventures. All in all, fantastic stuff - Yahtzee is going from strength to strength. Trilby is a great character but even if his next game is not a sequel to this, I'm sure it will rule. Posted by deltamatrix on 2003-12-06 at 16:18 (IP logged): I finally got round to playing this game. Just finished it. Very good game here! Great graphics(amateur level of course), nice plot and writing. MARVELLOUS ATMOSPHERE! I like it! Well done! Posted by Akseli Hiltunen on 2003-11-27 at 03:59 (IP logged): By the way... I liked that idea whitout music and just creepy voices and footsteps... It was a good choise... Posted by Akseli Hiltunen on 2003-11-27 at 03:58 (IP logged): Well done... This game really got me... Excellent storyline, nice artwork and nifty puzzles... I was really impressed by this one. Good job. Posted by Zooomer1990 on 2003-11-03 at 09:16 (IP logged): Just awesome!! Too good! Wish it was longer though. Like "10 days a stranger" maybe. Hoping for a sequel! Posted by Ozwalled on 2003-11-01 at 14:07 (IP logged): A fantastic game, with great atmosphere! Great character developmet! And some of the scripted scenes were especially good. Overall, a very, very good game that deserves to be played by any fan of adventure or horror games, or anyone who likes a well-paced story. Easily amongst the best AGS games I've ever played, and very possibly THE best. Play it! Posted by Loco on 2003-10-23 at 09:41 (IP logged): this is the only adventure game I have played that genually scares me. Just as good as it's predessesors. Well done Yahtzee. Posted by MrFrisby on 2003-10-20 at 17:22 (IP logged): This is the best adventure game I have played all year (maybe even longer). Well done Mr. Yahtzee. Between adventure game making and running a world wide range of convenience stores you must have little or not time left to be yourself - I would be in your shoes, they smell. Posted by Atsutane on 2003-10-19 at 08:16 (IP logged): Very nice game. The story was excellent and you did a great job to make a scary feeling. Although I think the music should be a little different. Posted by JSimon on 2003-10-15 at 11:43 (IP logged): The best game ever made with AGS, I think! The story - great. The feeling - more than great (the killer-scenes = the best ever seen with AGS!) The visual things - also great. Posted by Best Willis on 2003-10-12 at 11:49 (IP logged): Tis is goin to be like a fun mailist. I just wanted to say, that tis is prob. t best amateur adventure game Ive ever played. Greatest atmosphere! Posted by Migs on 2003-10-09 at 10:08 (IP logged): Script-wise, this is a fantastic game of the classic trapped-in-a-house theme. The dark, haunting mood is set very well, and the terror factor is extremely well-done and real. For an amateur game, this is top-notch. I personally think music could go either way with this one: either silence or creepy music can be used to fulfill the game's music needs; this game is silent throughout most of it, letting you hear the house's creaks; I think more music might still have been a better choice. Anyway, this game rocks! Posted by Sergio on 2003-10-08 at 18:11 (IP logged): This game rocks! It reminded me of the movie Cube, and the sounde effect were great. Posted by leagle_my_deagle on 2003-10-04 at 13:31 (IP logged): Absolutely amazing game! Great story. Could have used more music. One of the best games i've seen for AGS. A great example of what can be achieved with AGS if you put your mind to it. I loved the GUI and the graphics where terrific. Overall supurb game. Keep 'em coming. 10/10 Posted by InCreator on 2003-10-03 at 22:22 (IP logged): An excellent exaple of creating a good game with just few rooms and characters. Graphics is well done, only thing that seemed a little bit weak is that there are very few shadows and everything is just too straight and rectangular - like you've used too much line tool. Well, story is superb and I got stuck only twice. Story is very linear - and that's the only real weak spot there. Rooms could have more interactions and pickable objects, but... yeah, that is a great game added to world of adventure games and there is *very few* additions which could make it better. Posted by Do0kie on 2003-09-28 at 03:49 (IP logged): Best fan adventure I've ever player. Definitely a must. Posted by ida on 2003-09-24 at 06:28 (IP logged): Plenty of good puzzles to keep you interested. Good creepy build-up to the climax! Posted by Trapezoid on 2003-09-23 at 14:49 (IP logged): I thoroughly enjoyed this game. It has some problems and plot holes, most of which were mentioned by Big Brother, but otherwise it was a solid game. I played it through in one sitting, and never really got stuck, but nonetheless the puzzles and plot were still challenging and kept my interest. Also, it was pretty damn creepy. Keep 'em coming, Yahtzeeee! Posted by Big Brother on 2003-09-23 at 14:17 (IP logged): Well executed! The puzzles reminded me a bit of the voodoo doll parts in MI2, like the way a few of the puzzles repeated with variations. However, this game needs some atmospheric music. The RPG maker stuff doesn't cut it, and for half the game there's no music anyways. It'd be nice if it explained how these people go without eating for over 5 days. I'd like to see the dream sequences drawn out a little more for dramatic effect. Also, it'd be nice if certain themes (the African idol, for instance) were focused on a little more. Overall, a good game, just needs a bit more chrome.

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