Beyond Solitaire
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Public History
  • Solo Reviews
  • Work With Me

Retro Gaming — Atmosfear: The Harbingers

11/1/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
I was a kid in the '90s, but I never played Atmosfear or any of the "video" board games that were trendy at the time. So while I knew they existed, I was never nostalgic for them and never had any inclination to seek them out. That general feeling hasn't changed... but I feel so lucky that I got to try out Atmosfear: The Harbingers at a game night last night! 

Atmosfear is a roll and move game in which you attempt to pick up different-colored keys, get back to your starting space, and escape from the "other side" in which you and your fellow players are trapped. In addition to competing with other players, who might challenge you for your hard-earned loot, you are routinely interrupted by "the Gatekeeper."

​The game itself is boring as hell, but the Gatekeeper? He's gold. I have never enjoyed being called a maggot so much in my life. And if I had been a little kid the first time I played this game, it would have totally enchanted me. See him in this clip: 

 
The whole thing makes me wonder whether more purist gamers complained about games with video elements the same way they now complain about games with app integration. It also makes me think about how much external media can potentially add to a game. The video element of Atmosfear is the best thing about it. It would not be even remotely fun with no video. But the Gatekeeper's hammy delivery and hilarious nastiness imbue the whole experience with personality that doesn't come from the mechanics. 

I have zero desire to play Atmosfear again anytime soon—as a game, it sucks. But I'm definitely going to peruse YouTube this afternoon in search of more of those hilarious videos. What would this game have been like if there were a perfect marriage of great mechanics with integrated video? Although I did not experience Atmosfear ​as a kid, and wasn't swept up by nostalgia, I'm so grateful that I got to experience a part of board gaming history. 

Also, as far as I can tell, the actor who plays the Gatekeeper, Wenanty Nosul, is still alive, well, and calling people maggots. 
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    My name is Liz Davidson, and I play solo board games. A lot of solo board games...
    ​
    YouTube:
    Beyond Solitaire
    Twitter:
    @beyondsolitaire
    Instagram: 
    @beyondsolitaire
    Facebook: 
    @beyondsolitaire

    Archives

    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All
    Apps
    Books
    Commentary
    Conventions
    Education
    Fun
    Game Accessories
    Kickstarter
    Movies
    Podcasts
    Reviews
    Video Games
    YouTube

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Public History
  • Solo Reviews
  • Work With Me