The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana to open early next year

Written by K R Parkinson — November 16, 2017 at 12:19

What would you do if you found yourself standing before the creepy gates of a famous magician’s abandoned manor, an otherworldly power beckoning you forward? Would you resist the urge to risk life-and-limb, or would you enter and face the darkness within? Early next year, fans of spooky point-and-click puzzlers will get the chance to make that exact not-too-difficult choice in The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana.

Inspired by titles such as The 7th Guest and Shivers, The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana centers on the eponymous Arcana Manor, the “castle home of Doctor Arcana, the world famous magician who vanished several years ago.” You are compelled to find a way in, but as soon as you do, “the door slams shut behind you, sealing you inside.” Once trapped, “a ghostly vision appears before you, presenting you with a challenge: Resolve a maze of riddles and perplexing puzzles, or be doomed to spend eternity locked inside the inescapable mansion.”

Indie developer Monolith Graphics promises players “more than 50 logic puzzles, word puzzles, mazes, riddles and codes” to solve. Graphics are hand-drawn, and the mansion will display some of studio co-founder Joseph Vargo’s own artwork, featuring such creatures as “witches, warlocks, vampires, gargoyles, ghosts and other denizens of the dark.” In addition, Vargo’s band Nox Arcana will be performing the soundtrack. The action is controlled using the mouse, utilizing an “old-school, slideshow point-and-click” interface. Hints will be given by Doctor Arcana himself, but his anti-social attitude will show through when his help is sought, “scolding and ridiculing the player for doing so.”

The Cabinet of Doctor Arcana is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2018 for Windows and Mac. In the meantime, interested gamers can browse over to the official website for more information.