Sweet Home (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Sweet Home


developer = Capcom
publisher = Capcom
distributor =
designer =
engine =
version =
released = ^JPN 15 December 1989
genre = RPG
modes = Single player
ratings =
platforms = Famicom
media = Cartridge
requirements =
input =

"Sweet Home" is a survival horror game that was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989 that was produced by Capcom. The game is related to the Japanese horror film of the same name.

Though more of an RPG, "Sweet Home" served as the inspiration for "Resident Evil". "Resident Evil" borrowed many elements from "Sweet Home" including the mansion setting, the puzzles, and even the "door" loading screen. While considered by some to be the first "survival horror" game due to inspiring the "Resident Evil" series, this is untrue as there were games that could be considered survival horror released as far back as "Haunted House" (as well as now-hard-to-find adaptations of the films "Halloween" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre") on "Atari 2600", years before "Sweet Home" was released. Nevertheless, "Sweet Home" remains an important game within the subgenre.

The game

Throughout the game, "Sweet Home" follows a team of five people who venture into the deserted mansion of the deceased Mamiya Ichirou to photograph her frescoes. Upon entering the house, the door locks behind them and the group discover that the mansion is haunted by Mamiya's ghost, among other creatures. Now they must find a way out of the mansion before they are all killed.

"Sweet Home" was only released for the Japanese market and was never released outside of Japan, however, the game has received an unofficial translation to English. Despite selling poorly overall, the game had some unique and creative features such as:

*Permanent character deaths (characters who die in battle can never be revived, unlike most other RPGs)
*Unique skills (Each character has a unique skill that is necessary to complete the game. However should a character die, certain items can be found that will grant other character the necessary skills. For example, should Akiko (the team's nurse) die, the team may find Pill Bottles which can be used to heal wounds.)
*Five different endings, as well as large environments and a scary atmosphere.

Characters

; Kazuo: The team leader, and producer of the documentary. He wields the lighter, a very important item which can be used to burn down ropes and attack enemies. He has the highest HP. In the movie, his wife died prior to his exploration of the mansion.; Taguchi: Known as Taro in the translated version due to name length restrictions, Taguchi is a camera man. He takes photographs of the frescoes with his camera, which can also decode hidden messages within the frescoes. The camera can also be used to inflict damage to some enemies. In addition to having the second highest HP, he has the highest defense.; Akiko: She is a nurse and can heal team members with her first aid kit. She is the weakest member of the team.; Asuka: A maid. Using her vacuum cleaner, Asuka can clean dirty frescoes and remove broken glass. She is the second strongest female character. In the movie, she often gets possessed by Mamiya, reciting eerie phrases such as "Give me back my baby" and "Everybody dies."; Emi: She has no occupation in the game, but has a key which can open locked doors. She is the strongest female character, as well as the lightest of the team. In the movie, she is Kazuo's daughter.; Lady Mamiya: The main villain of the game. Following the death of her child, she has gone insane, going so far as to kill other children as "playmates" for her child in the next life. She has two forms in the game.; Ichirou: Mamiya's husband, as well as a famous painter. He has left clues scattered around the house in addition to his diary.; Yamamura: Mysterious old man. He gives the team aid in the later parts of the game. In-game hints suggest that Yamamura and Ichirou are the same person.

Movie

There was also a film released in 1989. In an interview, with Capcom game designer Shinji Mikami, it was stated that the game was licensed from the movie. The game and the film were released simultaneously. "Sweet Home"'s trailer is both an advertisement for the movie, and a sales pitch for the game, as it includes footage from both.

The film and video game versions both contain duplicate copies of very specific images. Even more so, specific things, such as the fresco, the skull statue, and the tool, look exactly the same in both the film and the game. More so, the facial appearance of the character portraits in the game mirrors the look of the actors in the movie.

According to the game credits, the producer for the game is Juzo Itami, who acted in the film.

External links

* http://www.youtube.com/user/DokiDokiJapan
* [http://www.rpgclassics.com/shrines/nes/sweethome/ A fan site of "Sweet Home", with hints and information.]
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* [http://www.codiekitty.com/File/SuitoHomu/index.htm Detailed movie synopsis with pictures]
* [http://www.vgmuseum.com/end/nes/b/sweet.htm Game Ending]
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* http://www.bioflames.com/miscsection5.htm