Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness
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| Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness | |
|---|---|
 North American cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Tecmo |
| Publisher(s) | Tecmo |
| Series | Deception |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Genre(s) | Tactical role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness, usually referred to simply as Deception, is a video game released by Tecmo in 1996 for the original PlayStation. Deception was released as Kokumeikan (刻命館) in Japan, and as Devil's Deception in Europe. The game is the first in the Deception series.
Premise and gameplay
Deception is an action game with RPG elements, resembling the FMV genre of games, particularly Sega CD such as Night Trap and Double Switch. The primary object of the series is to dispatch intruders through the positioning and activation of traps. What sets Deception apart from the Digital Pictures' predecessors is that moral judgment comes heavily into play.
The player takes on the role of an unjustly executed man, who pleads to the devil to spare his life at the moment of his demise. The devil (explicitly referred to as 'Satan' in the manual) grants his request, and gives him command over the 'Castle of the Damned'. Soon after taking control of the castle, many visitors soon find themselves drawn to the fortress: some for power, some for salvation, and some for something as simple as shelter.
The player has the option of either destroying the intruders or letting them escape, but both choices carry consequences: for example, the player may choose to either kill two parents, who are out to find a cure for their ailing daughter, or let them escape to inform others of the demonic presence invading the mansion. Additionally, killing intruders is sometimes the only way to proceed and gain more Magic Points (earned by taking the victims' souls) or gold (earned by killing the victims).
Gameplay is carried out by a three-dimensional representation of the character, and traps can then be activated and setup within varied rooms of the castle and then created before each respective level. The story will take various paths depending on the choices the player makes.
Traps
Traps include the Spikes of Pain (three spikes stab an invader), the Square of Confinement (a cage falls from the ceiling, caging an invader), a pit trap, and a magic claw that picks up an invader. All traps can be upgraded to something more powerful than the last. For example, the trap called Stomp causes a giant foot to fall from the floor and can be upgraded to the much stronger Poison Toe, and then to Fire Foot, the strongest trap in the game.
The player can also make use of various items and use the cadavers of captured invaders to create monsters.
Characters and setting
- Satan
Your sole purpose in this game is to ensure the resurrection of this nefarious lord of negativity and to obtain his terrifying power. You must first make an unholy covenant with the Tempter of Souls in order to become the Master of the Castle.
- Astarte
- Satan's Messenger
She is the right hand of Satan, who spared your life in its dying moments.
- Souls
As you seek to revive Satan, you will capture uninvited castle invaders and steal their immortal souls. Upon sacrificing their obtained souls, you must choose to exchange the value of their soul for magic or for money, or you may retain their carcasses for your own diabolical Frankenstein-esque experiments.
- Intruders
They may come for many reasons: some to take your place as master of the castle, and yet others seeking to rid their beloved homeland of the insidious forces of darkness. All want you dead, so don't hesitate to send them on a one way trip to the void.
- Unrest
A once united kingdom of two differing nations now grows restless. The sword-wielding nation of Angelio and the magically powerful nation of Zemekia had peacefully emerged from a war-ridden past, but now that alliance grows fragile.
- Yurias
- King of Zemekia
Your former brother, who plotted the death of your father and framed you for it. The rake has seized the throne and your fiancée.
- Fiana
- Princess of Angelio
She is your fiancée who is unwillingly held captive by your former brother.
- Ardebaran
- Contractor
He is the current Master of the Castle of the Damned. He will be your first enemy test. Defeat him to become new master.
Reception
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| AllGame |   [1] |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 33/40[2] |
| Game Informer | 6.5/10[4] |
| GamePro | 18.5/20[3] |
| IGN | 7/10[5] |
| Publication | Award |
|---|---|
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | Best Original Concept[6] |
The game was met with a generally positive reception upon release.[citation needed] Electronic Gaming Monthly scored it 33/40 (8.25/10 average), referring to it as "perhaps the most innovative console RPG ever released", noting the player character is "an evil ghost who traps and slaughters any trespassers who enter his castle."[2] Electronic Gaming Monthly later gave it the "Best Original Concept" award.[6] GamePro scored it 5/5 for sound and 4.5/5 for graphics, control and fun factor. They praised the "engaging story line", "innovative gameplay", "great sound", and sense of "terror", concluding it to be an "excellent addition to the RPG market" that "has something most other RPGs seem to have lost: originality."[3]
References
- ^ Marriott, Scott Alan. "Tecmo's Deception - Review". AllGame. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- ^ a b Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 89 (December 1996), page 94
- ^ a b GamePro, issue 89 (December 1996), page 206
- ^ "Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness". Game Informer. 1996.
- ^ IGN staff (February 3, 1997). "Tecmo's Deception". IGN. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- ^ a b Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 92 (March 1997), page 90