A horror point-and-click FMV game
Harvester is a horror game that makes use of full-motion video (FMV) in place of 2D or 3D graphics. This technique was popular when this game was released in the 1990s, as computer hardware was not powerful enough for realistic graphics. The game is a point-and-click adventure that features lots of gore.
The original release of Harvester came at a time when FMV games were already in decline, but following the success of similar gory FMV horrors like the Phantasmagoria games, coupled with the popularity of point-and-click adventures like the Broken Sword games, it was able to acquire a cult following.
Mysterious places and inexplicable sights
The story of the game sees the player waking up in a town full of strangers. The protagonist shares their home with an unusual family with his fiance living next door. The player won’t have much time to get to grips with this strange situation, however, because things soon take a dark and gory turn.
Point-and-click FMV
The game uses FMV, which is a method of game development that involves shooting real footage of actors and using the video as the visuals in the game. As was common at the time, Harvester mixes real footage of actors with pre-rendered 3D sets. The effect, while good at the time, looks quite dated now.
More of a cult classic than a good game
Many of the problems with Harvester can be put down to the fact that it is a very old game now. The dated graphics and clunky controls were more common in the 90s. For players looking for a shot of nostalgia, however, Harvester should deliver.
