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ICO meets Resident Evil! MUST PLAY!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 08, 2008
Author: Amazon User

One of the gaming mags I read a while back named this as the underrated games of the year and I think that pretty much hits the nail on the head. I believe it was originally slated to be a Clock Tower game thus I've heard similar to that series. I found the game to be very enjoyable with nice controls, good graphics, etc. I felt that the game gave off a heavy Resident Evil feel to it's atmosphere but I enjoyed the game because it reminded me a bit of the game ICO- but if you were playing as Yorda- which gave the game a very unique feel. Unlike the feeling of many games where you play the hero saving someone else- I felt as in this game you were instead playing the role of the person needing the saving. Fiona (the main character) is pretty worthless on her own but once you meet the dog (Hewie) that you really do bond with- work together to try to escape the castle- kinda reminiscent of the Ico/Yorda feel for fans of ICO.

The negative comments I've read are often really complaints of the fact the game is too realistic in it's gameplay. I've heard complaints of people saying that the character is pretty worthless as far as fighting(she is) or that the characters chasing the dog are beating the dog and it's disturbing. My response to those are they are both true- and they both enhance the game. Being so helpless in the game makes you come up with a better strategy to fight your opponents- being that as you bond with the dog you are able to use your character as bait while instructing Hewie to attack or to attack while you hide- basically figuring out the best way for the characters to leave you alone. Since you are only fighting 4 different people throughout the game- getting progressively harder you will have to change your strategy as you progress I found. Meaning that Debilitas (your first boss) is pretty easy and not smart so you can often outrun and hide from him fairly easily. Daniella was much quicker and if you continued to use the same hiding spots you would be discovered, until the final two guys you really couldn't hide from at all and you in return have to also take care of Hewie as he can be damaged- but again I feel that as much as you hate to hear him being hurt in the game- unless you mistreat him yourself you won't get a bad ending (there are 4) and I feel that the bond you form with the characters is enhanced by the fact they are working together to protect and take care of one another.

The other complaints I've heard about the game is that Hewie occasionally will not listen or one of the other reviews noted that the game would occasionally tell you the coast was clear when in reality the boss would be wandering around outside the door. I actually felt these two things were positive as well if you were looking for a REAL experience. For instance- if Fiona is hiding under a bed and Debilitas is chasing her- once he has left the area the coast does look clear because from your characters point of view the coast is clear- however if you actually go out the door the enemy just went through- he will still be out there- which I feel gives a realistic feel to the game- which I think to some gamers who don't realize that there is a strategy to getting the enemies to leave you alone for a longer period of time- like if Hewie attacks them to the point where they either collapse or retreat. As for Hewie not listening- (or Fiona for that matter when she has her panic attack moments) as irritating as it was I still found this to be true to life as well for anyone who has tried to get a pet to do something they don't want to do- yet again adding to the element of feeling like it's a real dog instead of just a video game dog programmed to do only a set list of actions.

I felt the game was pretty perfect in length being that I was still having fun during the final fight and I replayed it again even to get the different endings. By replaying it you will also get different costumes for Fiona and Hewie. and unlock extras including a minigame where if my memory serves me correctly you play as Hewie instead of Fiona. I would also like to point out that this is a game where I would advise not to judge by first impressions. As I noted from some of the other reviews that they didn't get a dog in the game- which is because often they quit playing the game before they actually get the dog. When I had initially tried the game I actually had done the same thing only going back to it at a much later time and discovering that it's easy to have a bad first impression of the game. Needless to say I was glad I went back to it because it's a truely fantastic game if you can appreciate it for a less hack and slash feel and approach to strategy from a different perspective. Although I haven't played most of the series- I've heard fans of Silent Hill, Clock Tower, and Fatal Frame will find in comparable.

Haunting

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: February 16, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This game is alright. It is fustrating and yet exciting to. Its this i wish i could do more , yet glad you dont kind of game. The dude chasing is fustrating and makes one angry to rid the world of him . Yet the castle and walk around is pretty good. And the Dog attcking the enemy and using him to get things you cant reach is a great concept . Over all its pretty good . And its exciting at times .

Haunting Ground

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: January 14, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I really like this game. It sorta reminds me of resident evil.I havent finished it yet. So far its captivating,good story,a few good scares. Its not real gory. Good puzzles too. Her,and the dogs movement is a little off,but ya dont really notice it after awhile playing it. I recommend this game to people that like puzzle based games solving how to get into next area, ectra. No weapons used not really violent. Enjoy

One of PS2s most Haunting and beautiful!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 13
Date: January 02, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I am a huge survival horror gamer and purchased this game when it was first released in stores back in 2005. I have played it at least 5 times now as it offers an exciting, fulfilling and truly haunting experience every time!

Haunting Ground features awe-inspiring graphics not only exhibited by the elaborate, painstakingly detailed cutscenes, but also during the actual gameplay itself where creepy environments are perfectly rendered. I am sure anyone would agree that this game has to be one of PS2s most beautiful and breathtaking!

The characters are extremely life-like in both their movements and their interactions as they seem to project real emotion and responses to physical pain and fear. Fiona, the female protagonist, captures the sympathy of her audience right from the beginning, because she is alone and must find a way to escape this horrible nightmare. She wanders the Belli Castle along with her devoted companion, Hewie, who has to be the most realistic dog featured in any game I have ever played! The enemies who reside within the castle are extremely terrifying and creepy and consistently hunt Fiona and Hewie down with such speed and skill. Without a doubt, they create a haunting experience for any player while generating fear, stress, and even frustration.

Belli Castle is frighteningly immense and unfolds slowly room by room as the player discovers hidden keys, switches and levers. The creators of the game really thought of everything, because they knew it would be almost impossible for the first time player to memorize the layout of the castle; therefore, they even strategically placed doors that lead to nowhere and an abundance of dead ends. This aspect of Belli Castle parallels that of a labyrinth while Fiona attempts to flee the enemies only finding herself trapped and vulnerable to deadly attacks.

My favorite aspect of Haunting Ground is not found in any other game and that is the Alchemy Room. In this room, Fiona is able to forge health items for both herself and Hewie, fashion weapons such as exploding magnesia and electrifying antimony and even make potions like nigred that could become deadly. If you are lucky enough, you can even forge some very helpful equipment such as chokers, earrings and boots -a variety of each having their own unique ability to aid Fiona. Since this method of obtaining items involves luck and chance, the replay value is extremely high as you may or may not have the same items every time!

This is definitely a title I cherish as part of my survival horror collection and I could never recommend it enough! This game is still pricey considering how long it has been available which only proves how excellent and sought after this masterpiece is. If you are truly a connoisseur of survival horror games, do not rent this... BUY IT!

Good game with a decent storyline!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: December 21, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This is a good game for those who like the Resident Evil type of gameplay with puzzles to solve. I still enjoy playing this game and I would certainly recommend it to people looking for a good game. Gameplay is good and the graphs look good. A few things I don't like though are that the Hewie sometimes doesn't obey your commands and you have to get close to him to get it to do what you what and Fiona's boobs don't look real. They are too pointy and look stiff and giggle unnaturally when she stops running. Other than this I like the game and I will keep it in my private collection for years to come.

surprisingly good

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: November 18, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Sorry, but I will start off with the same phrase,which has already been said by many people.This game is something like an improved Clock tower 3 (actually it was planned to become a CT4), but still somewhat different.And I gonna compare those two for a while.
Seems like Capcom (stealing *a bit* of the CT idea) had put all their efforts to make this one much better.I was really enjoying the plot but only the first half of the game.Later it got somewhat ridiculous in my opinion.
All the hiding-fighting thing is made much better than in CT3.The location of the game (castle) adds more mystery and likeness to this game.
The main character.Ok,the idea of making horror games with a teenage girl is not new anymore,so I dont really get why they are still doing this.For the male gamers?Or just because the female char is supposed to be more weak by nature,which adds the game more "spookiness"?Anyways, Fiona's breasts were drawing way too much attention by shaking with any move she did.
The dog.It was both a plus and a minus.Its quite nice to see somebody else 'normal' in the castle and get some help from it.Giving commands to Hewie (the dog) is a bit annoying, just repeating the same phrases before Hewie actually does smth, gets on nerves.
Enemies.The first two were pretty good,I really enjoyed the second - Daniella.Her theme music was really giving me the creeps.
The boss fights arent like in CT3,so that was another plus as well:)
Another annoying thing is the panic state.You dont have a health bar,its just the panic,that matters.The more she gets hit or scared,the more uncontrolable Fiona becomes.So when that gets to the highest point,Fiona just runs like crazy and falls pretty often and no commands work on her except for the directional buttons.That is another thing which is a distress.
Haunting ground has both creepiness and action, for gamers, who dont like to spend hours in a 'spooky' SH or Fatal frame athmospheres with nothing happening.Like me.Dont get me wrong- I still like SH.
Overall I think this game is a really must try for all horror fans.

A little bit of Silent Hill mixed in Clock Tower 3

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 15, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game is really good, but my boyfriend didn't think this game was good he thought the graphics were poorly. Anyways, I loved this game, Fiona who is a girl who gets trapped inside this castle called Belli Castle.
Then she meets up with a dog named Hewie and the try to escape the castle together.

I've played this game so many times, I never get tired of it playing. I love surival horror games, this game is really fun.

Best game to play with friends in the dark.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: September 25, 2007
Author: Amazon User

It's a tricky but spine chilling game. Great interaction. You may need to find a walkthrough of it, but it's worth it. The panic mode probably makes it the funnest. I don't recommend for people who get scared very easily. But I guarantee if your looking for a scary game to play that's different from the rest, this is the game.

haunting ground is the best game ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: May 24, 2007
Author: Amazon User

after playing this game like 100 times this game rocks.riccardo is hard at some points.fiona can only attack by useing a weak kick and a strong tackle.i'm almost to the end of the game.hewie is always geting in my way when i'm hideing and then the enimy finds me.i just can't stop playing it alot.

Haunting round

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: May 19, 2007
Author: Amazon User

The game is really fun. It's got great graphics and it's quite scary. The bad guys can get annoying at times when they won't give you a chance to hide or get away and the panic mode is really bothersome. Hewie can also get in the way at the wrong times. It's realistic though and it makes you think. Overall this is an awesome game for any horror fan, you just have to be willing to have patience and have good trategies.

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