LogFAQs > #929345210

47. CarnEvil (17 points)
Nominated by: GavsEvans123 (1/5 remaining)

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Importance: 5
Fear: 3
Snake: 9

To me, CarnEvil represents the pinnacle of arcade shoot 'em ups. Thought not much different in concept from contemporaries like House of the Dead or Time Crisis, CarnEvil brought a lot of attention to itself at the time thanks to a willingness to push the boundaries in arcades at the time. Released on Halloween 1998, its cabinet, guns, and gallows presentation saw players flock to this twisted carnival ride for a chance to peak inside its veritable house of horrors. Bolstered by media attention and hyperbole like "the most twisted video game ever created", CarnEvil was a quick smash hit that came and went like a flash of lightning. Looking back, it's downright quaint, but this was an awesome and interesting time where game companies would just constantly try to one-up each other with shock value and would bank on the media and shocked parents giving it the press for success.

CarnEvil is packaged in a comedic horror wrap, and hosted by a floating jester head known as Umlaut, the most memorable part of the game. His cheesy jokes and Joker-like voice sets the tone for a light-hearted romp rather than horror, but I love this feeling and certainly wouldn't have it any other way. The level designs are incredible detailed, my favorite being Rickety Town, a twisted theme park extravaganza that balances Christmas, an Epcot 1950's vision of the future, and dinosaurs, and it's one of the most hilarious and bat-shit insane shooting galleries you will ever play through. The other levels are just as fun though, the Haunted Hause is exactly what you would expect, with a great Jason-inspired boss with a gatling gun, and Evil Marie, who was controversial at the time for being able to shoot off her clothes. Like most shooting galleries of this type, it's a huge token eater, parodied by the game's main antagonist, Professor Tokkentaker. The best way to experience CarnEvil (well, never mind, the only realistic way these days) played on an emulator to experience all the fun moments this game has to offer. It's a fantastic game that's full of schlocky excess, hearkening back to a time that didn't exist for too long, but left a memorable impression on anyone around at the time. CarnEvil continues to be an influence on modern horror shooting galleries, including the Killing Floor series and Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, and many now famous names worked on CarnEvil, including Tim Miller, director of Deadpool. So, step right up, and experience the most dastardly and devilish carnival show this side of Iowa!
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I try in vain to slumber, my reveries gripped by violent terror. My only salvation, the shock of awakening. Something is very, very wrong here.