A traditional date goes something like this: a nice dinner, a movie, and then, if things go well, up to someone’s apartment for some “coffee.” In “The 11th Hour,” it’s more like: investigate your girlfriend’s disappearance, track her down to a house owned by a demonic toy-maker, sleep with a seductive stranger, and then have your insides grilled and eaten.
“The 11th Hour” is a sequel to the early ’90s adventure game “The 7th Guest,” which used the then-brand-new CD-ROM technology to mix puzzles with horror movie-inspired full-motion video. Like its predecessor, “The 11th Hour” asks players to wander around Henry Stauf’s mansion, uncovering the mystery of what exactly happened there in the past. The plot is convoluted and confusing, especially if you haven’t played the first game, but for our purposes, there’s really only one thing that you need to know.
After the protagonist, an investigative reporter named Carl Denning, solves most of the mansion’s mysteries, he’s forced to choose between three women. Samantha, one of Stauf’s victims, promises that she’ll end Stauf’s reign of terror for good. Robin, Carl’s girlfriend, appeals to Carl’s emotions. Marie, who is attractive, offers sex.
Choosing Samantha leads to the “good” ending, but choosing Marie results in the fun one. Marie leads Carl to the bedroom and they start making out, but before they start bumping uglies, Marie transforms into Stauf, rips off his wig, and starts munching on a plate of ribs.As it turns out, the ribs are Carl’s (when exactly they were removed and barbecued isn’t totally clear), and the game ends with Stauf chowing down and laughing.