BW 1 > BW 3 > BW 2
Here is me copy pasting my older remarks from screenshot thread.
Blair Witch Volume 1: Rustin Parr
I've closed again my first case of Blair Witch trilogy, and it still hold up well. What is really interesting, is how Terminal Reality combined their Nocturne universe with BW mythos. We have our old friends from Spookhouse agency, but we don't control Stranger like before. Instead we play as a research scientist Elspeth "Doc" Holliday. This time instead of werewolves, vampires, zombies and other monstrosities we fight with something different. Here is where the connection with the original BW movie starts, but in the year 1941. I've never liked it, but here everything just clicks together. The survival horror with adventure elements with great atmosphere build up thanks to camera angles and light/shadow usage is superb. The story slowly develops, as we are building up the case. The sense of dread and isolation, being subjugated by it, it never makes cheap jokes and keeps you focused. Well, apart from a little nod to Twin Peaks series. Also soundtrack made by Kyle Richards helps being immersed in the game world. I heard that later parts aren't that good, but I've decided to finish all of them.
There is only one problem regarding running it on modern systems. The map screen is only available to view in lower resolution. While the main game can have way higher one, it can result in showing a gibberish on the screen that will make it unplayable. The only quick fix I have found is to alt+tab and return to the game. Or just play in lower resolution to match the one that is used on the map. Probably dgvodoo fixes that, but it was too late for me to test it. I write this, because at first venturing through the woods can be really confusing and make it harder, than it really is.
Blair Witch Volume 2: The Legend of Coffin Rock
It was first game released by Human Head Studios, which was formed by ex-Raven people. And unfortunately it has many problems, that can't be fixed and left me disappointed after the great predecessor. Volume 2 tells the tale of eight-year-old Robin Weaver, who goes missing in the woods near Burkittsville, and the five men in the search party sent to find her, who are found roped up and disemboweled at the titular Coffin Rock. We are a Civil War soldier, who finds Robin before that even. As we don't remember anything being wounded, we are named Lazarus by the grandmother of Robin. She tells us to find the kid, as she feels something bad in the woods.
So we are in the past again, but even further. This is a good beginning for an interesting story. Which is chopped into pieces, where we watch cutscenes and for the most of the time fight against soldiers and unnatural creatures. The puzzles are almost non existent and we are just being moved from scene to scene, while we try to gather what's happening through the cutscenes (which are sometimes too long). We also have more ammo to find through the whole game, which makes it easy for us. The rustic feeling of interiors is really good, since the Nocturne engine works well to make them believable and atmospheric. The music is still great, and there are some interesting lore fragments for those who care.
It's an ok game, but due to the cutscenes/battles system of narration, and how short it is, it feels like a huge letdown.
Time to close the last chapter of Blair Witch book and see The Elly Kedward Tale.
Sometimes you can have problems regarding sound. Some of them will be missing, or/and you will not hear the dialogues. You need to do this thing:
- Go to Sound options menu.
- Change the Hardware mixing setting, then change it back to the original setting.
Blair Witch Volume III: The Elly Kedward Tale
Unlike the first two games, which used some of the BW lore, with the final chapter made by Ritual we are getting something entirely new when it comes to story. We are witnessing the creation of Blair Witch legend, as we play Jonathan Prye, a former priest who is visiting Blair Township. Which later on became Burkittsville. Prye had a crisis of faith, and decided to become a witch hunter. We are investigating the disappearance of Elly Kedward a couple weeks ago before our arrival.
It was a good move to try and create an origin of the Blair myth, and wrap everything in an elegant way. There are some crumbs of it in previous titles, but here we are on unknown land. The feeling of dread and that something is not right in the town never leaves us. We talk to some folks, including wise Indian Asgaya. Just as in Rustin Parr, the myths and folklore elements of the natives is being used as a good adhesive, and make the journey even more interesting. Our hero is fighting with the powers, that are hard to comprehend. His struggle regarding the faith is accented more than once, and works good enough for me observing his spiritual journey.
One of his weapons is a burning crucifix that should be used on stronger enemies. The combat is fluid, and while we don't have many weapons, it's sufficient with encounters being less frequent than in Coffin Rock. We also again venture through the woods, so using map at first is obligatory if you want to make it short and save ammo by just simply running. Creatures here will appear constantly, so I advise to just run and use weapons if you really need to. Audiovisually it's still the same engine as before, with good voice acting and music. No complaints here. As usual the Ritual's bard Zak Belica made some tracks, which are fitting for the corresponding stages.
I think "The Elly Kedward Tale" concludes really well the Blair Witch story, even if you aren't a fan of the movie. It's the interpretation that doesn't change something drastically, but adds something and leaves you satisfied after seeing ending credits.
