Blair Witch Volume 1: Rustin Parr

"Number one in a mediocre trilogy"

The Blair Witch movies were wildly popular but not very good in my opinion. They basically used widely hyped gimmicks that were dumb despite being called ''Innovative.'' Where the movies were innovative, the first game in the trilogy of games based on the different legends surrounding the Blair Witch is a copycat of better games like Resident Evil and Nocturne. Now on with the rest…

THE GOOD:
The story surrounding the game involves a mass murdered named Rustin Parr and how he killed children back in the early 1900's. It is told in an interesting fashion with a few surprising plot twists to keep it fresh. The only little nitpick with the story is that it can get a little convoluted. Packed into the story are some really frightening moments that I won't ruin for you here but I promise they may make you literally jump out of your skin. Also worth noting about the story is that the game features a great automatic note-taking option that really helps keep you in the know if you happen to take a prolonged break from the game. The puzzles found in the game are surprisingly well integrated into the surroundings and the story. Like Resident Evil before it, Rustin Parr has combat involved but thankfully you can easily run away from the monsters saving your limited health supply. The sound is rightfully fright inducing and appropriate for the game and the lighting and shadowing effects are unbelievable.
Unfortunately, along with the good comes the bad…

THE BAD:
First off, for a game that tries to be a surreal experience this game has too much gunplay. They should have just left it out and the game would be much better. In fact, the monsters present in the game don't fit the feel of the game either. Did you see any monsters in the movies? I think not. This game forces you to go through a training mode before you are able to begin the actual game. I personally don't understand why some games force you to go through the training mode. They should just be there for you to utilize if you like. Stop making them mandatory! The training mode in this game is just so boring! It teaches you all the basics but does so in a dull, dull fashion. The terrible camera angles present in training make the already terrible mode even worse. The auto-aim feature in this game is also useless most of the time because it aims wrong. Instead of aiming at the enemy it gets a mind of its own and goes off to the side making you miss the shot as the monster converges on you looking for dinner. One of the many features in this game that is underused is the interaction with the townsfolk. While you can talk to them at times, half the time the game won't allow you to do so.
You know how some games have annoying mazes that break up the flow of the game?(Cough..Max Payne Cough) well, this game also has them. I wish games would just leave them out. They serve no purpose other than to artificially add length to the game. I also have to tell you that the ending of this game is ruined because of the game taking over and making you watch the action on screen instead of playing.
Overall, all of the bad overshadows the good making this game not worthwhile.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 08/28/01, Updated 08/28/01