Harvester is a DOSBox port of a dark horror game from the mid 1990’s. This game is renowned as the game was advertised to be ‘the most violent adventure game of all time’. The game also is infamous for its examination of fictional/real world violence. The DOSBox port of this game is very good as it authentic to the original experience of the game. This game does run very well, the game even includes the moments in game where you had to swap the disks in the CD drive. However some versions such as the steam version of this game have been censored. But as far as I can find out the only cuts made is the removal of a few cutscenes from the steam version.
Gameplay wise Harvester is a point and click game that provides little insight at the start and throws you straight into the game. After the brief introduction trailer, that provides a glimpse of the town of Harvest. But when I first started playing, I was pleased to realise that it does provide you some very basic tips on what to do. I like that it provides advice as I can imagine that this could be a first time playthrough on a point and click game. Even though it is possible to complete this game without using walkthrough guides online it is challenging at times.
As previously stated it is a frustrating and difficult game to play on. Since the only way you can find out what to do is to talk directly to other characters to take hints that they may drop in conversations. In this game there is limited ways you can find out information you require.
For example on the first day one of characters asks for a magazine. You will not only have to figure out how to obtain the magazine. But he will only ask for it when his boss is out at noon. You cannot find out the time in game as the game doesn’t provide an in game clock. It took me a while to figure out how to complete the first day. Purely due to the lack of information that was given to me. I feel that Harvester should at least tell me what my objective is and the in game time.
To add to this, the game does also penalise players if you don’t do complete every given task. Such as picking up an item or meeting a specific person on a day. The prospect having to restart the game from scratch is a likely consequence for not completing everything. Even for making even the most basic of mistakes.
I don’t like the limited Interaction you can have with characters in the game is. In game you can only discuss predetermined subjects in conversation. Although there is an ‘other’ box that is underneath the discussion box, I found that it has limited to no use. I tried speaking to different characters using various topics to see what reactions/information I could obtain. Firstly I asked Mom for advice on how to get a pair of sneakers, the question I asked Mom managed to confuse her. Later on I found Stephanie I complimented her hair cut and I got a confused response from her.
Additionally when showing items unless they have an interest in the item you will get the same response from them. Much like asking a non scripted question there is no different emotional responses based on items shown to others. For example I received an autograph from an actor from a cowboy show. I presented the autograph to the characters younger brother who is watching the show. When I showed him the autograph I had obtained, he shown no interest in it. I also showed him a roll of duct tape. He presented the same emotional response to both the duct tape and the autograph.
The game also is quite strange for many reasons. Visually there aren’t many parts in game which are scary. However there is plenty of cutscenes that are weird and/or gory but the cheesy acting does also detract from the cutscenes. The Gameplay is also a mixed bag. Since the first 2/3 of the game I was playing a point and click game. That provided commentary on various topics including the culture of 1950’s cold war America. With topics often referenced with intelligent,witty and occasionally providing humour and innuendo ridden dialogue.
But in the final part of the game it tries to become a fighting game. Consequently it loses most of its original gameplay and instead forces you to use an awkwardly implemented combat system that is clunky to use. I was somewhat unsure on what to expect from this part of game on. As the game didn’t know what it wanted to be. Alternatively the game could have wanted to be a fighting game with minimal point and click mechanics. I think that last part of the game should have been more refined in what it wanted to be.
Overall Harvester is a mediocre experience that does start well. However it loses the charm and quality the further you go into the game. As a result I would only recommend anyone picking this game up if you have interest in games within the genre,FMV or older games. Although many will find Harvester to be a unpleasant experience. Primarily due to the cutscenes and/or varied subject matter. Nevertheless Harvester is a difficult and potentially frustrating game to play without resorting to finding a walkthrough.
