Reviews

Finally, the most awaited and controversial video game ever is now available everywhere this summer! "Harvester" has been in development for over 2 1/2 years and features the latest in game technology. Harvester will disturb you like no other has before!

Features:


What the reviews say!

"'Harvester' is a radical departure for this rather staid genre, and it may prove a watershed release for the industry at large."

"You've never seen anything quite like 'Harvester'."

"I can't remember the last time I played a 'traditional' adventure game with genuine puzzles and an enrossing plot."

"If you thought Phantasmagoria was stomach-churning in places (and let's face it, it was), you're in for a shock when you see Harvester."

"DigiFX have developed an adult adventure game which is unlike anything you are likely to have ever seen in the field of PC gaming."

"Harvester is difficult to compare with any other game and as such should be applauded for its boldness."

"But then there is a disturbing undercurrent to the game. Rather than walk the fine edge of the abyss between dark comedy and obscenity, Harvester has jumped into said abyss with both feet and is cavorting in its own depravity at times."


A Letter found on the Net

October 15, 1996, Dallas, TX
HARVESTER RECEIVES CRITICISM ON VIOLENCE.
The following letter was retrieved off the internet yesterday criticizing the violence in Harvester. Jack Irons, President of Merit Studios, said "I'm sorry this parent is upset but, we have been telling people all along that this is a game for adults only. Guess it is everything we were telling people it was."
HERE'S THE LETTER:
"Normally, I am completely against any type of censorship and most types of rating systems. The rating system by the ESRB for computer games is one of those. And of course, it has not force of law behind it. A store can sell an M-rated game to a 12-year-old with impunity.
However, I've just seen a computer game that represents an incredibly clear case of the pornography of violence -- the kind that should be prevented from getting into kids' hands. It's called "Harvester." My thirteen-year-old daughter came home with it a few days ago, having purchased it with her baby-sitting money. She heard from friends that it was "pretty cool." After trying it out for five minutes, she was actually physically ill.
"Apparently the creators of Harvester (Merit Studios) have taken it upon themselves to confront the entire concept of "family values" with this piece of computer trash. Harvester is so disturbingly violent, that I can't conceive of anyone who would not be completely offended. I suspect even the ACLU would refuse to defend it.
"In one scene, a small infant's eyes pop out of its head in such a realistic manner that I'm not convinced it was done with special effects at all. In another a man splits his own skull open. One scene is simply more disgusting than the next. If this is a game, then I guess I don't understand what a game is supposed to be any more.
"I haven't used my name here because I don't want to get phone calls or e-mails or anything like that. And I don't want my daughter to be embarrassed either. But it seems to me that an organization like yours might spread the word about this game and let people know. Maybe you could look into it. It's available right there on the shelf in most stores that sell computer games.
Sincerely,
Really concerned and disgusted parent"


Review from a Game Player

Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 14:14:19 -0600 (CST)
From: Mike Galgano
Subject: My upcoming post to Usenet

This is going to be lengthy so I'll state my point now before I expand upon it:

HARVESTER IS A GAME WITH AN INCREDIBLE, UNIQUE PLOT. IF YOU CAN STOMACH THE GORE, YOU WILL BE GREATLY REWARDED WITH A TRULY INTENSE GAMIMG EXPERIENCE.

Now I will go into greater detail.

Okay, before I say anything more, let me stress an important point: This game is violent. We've all heard the rumors, read the newsgroup posts, heard the commercial on the radio, etc. I will not sugarcoat this review by saying it's not really that violent. The point I intend to make is that Harvester is one of the most well thought out, and well written games I have ever played. Gilbert P. Austin [author of the story] is a literary genius. I judge a good game the same way I would judge a good book - you can't put it down. I wish they hadn't hyped the gore - That's not what makes this a great game.

What makes this such an intense experience is that, unlike other adventure games where your character will collect objects without a second thought. In Harvester, you just don't go grab the next inventory item to advance the game; the objects belong to someone else and taking them is going to effect them in some way, often emotionally if not physically. In games like King's Quest, do you really care when you pick up something or steal an object? When I had to perform tasks in Harvester, I genuinely felt a substantial amount of guilt or concern when doing the things I had to do in this game. By the way, I'm not being very specific about the events in Harvester on purpose so as not to spoil the game for anyone that wants to try it out. The graphical depiction of violence is present in the game because it is appropriate to the story. I've seen plenty of horror movies on TV and most of them are flat out silly. We all know the routine: some group of young people go somewhere they don't belong, usually a big scary old house, and then monsters come and get them. Some bimbo is always running half-naked through the forest and is required to trip and fall at least two are three times to build the "suspense". I'm sorry, but that stuff is so over done and not scary that it's really quite pathetic. Harvester, on the other hand, has very well developed, rounded, dynamic, believable characters. And the story is unique. For the first time I was genuinely frightened by a horror story. This game is intense.

Let me sum up by saying that the greatest misfortune would be that a lot of people will be turned off by the violence and miss out on an intense psychological thriller. But like anything else, it's not for everybody. I am firmly against censorship. This is America, if you don't like it, you don't have to watch it, play it, read it, listen to it, etc. Just don’t tell other people they can't enjoy it either. Quite honestly, if gore disturbs you, you might not want to try this game. And it is definitely not for kids. But many people flock to the movies when Steven King puts out a film that is just as gory. So why should they shun computer games. Harvester is better than a movie - it's interactive. You will become totally immersed in Harvester if you play it. It illicits genuine emotional responses from the player. The computer entertainment industry is putting a great deal of effort into virtual reality. We as game players want to feel like we're in the game. That's the whole point! If a game is non-interactive and you don't care about finishing it, what good is it?!

If you can handle gore and violence, play Harvester. It is excellent. After all, we watch senseless violence, and horrible, depressing accounts of unspeakable events on a daily basis anyway... It's called the 6:00 news.


- Mike Galgano



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