Enclosure

Enclosure is a 2004 freeware adventure game where Mike Goodman, a con artist, and his girlfriend Sarah are hired to investigate a haunted oil drilling station in Greenland. After a helicopter crash strands them at the station, they uncover eerie mysteries alongside a team of scientists and paranormal investigators, navigating puzzles and supernatural encounters in a 3rd-person perspective using the AGI game engine.

Enclosure: A Masterpiece of Retro Adventure Gaming

Introduction

Enclosure (2004), developed by Femo Duo Entertainment, is a hidden gem in the realm of indie adventure games. This freeware title, crafted with the New Adventure Game Interpreter (NAGI), pays homage to the golden age of Sierra-style point-and-click adventures while infusing its own unique narrative and atmospheric horror. Drawing from the rich legacy of classic adventure games, Enclosure stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of text-based puzzles and pixelated storytelling. This review delves into the game’s development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, and its lasting impact on the genre.

Development History & Context

The Studio and Creators’ Vision

Femo Duo Entertainment, a small indie studio, developed Enclosure as a labor of love, inspired by the adventure games of the 1980s and 1990s. The game was created using the New Adventure Game Interpreter (NAGI), a fan-made engine based on Sierra’s Adventure Game Interpreter (AGI). This choice allowed the developers to emulate the look and feel of classic Sierra titles like King’s Quest and Police Quest while adding their own modern twists.

Technological Constraints and the Gaming Landscape

Released in 2004, Enclosure emerged during a transitional period in gaming. The industry was shifting from 2D to 3D graphics, but Femo Duo Entertainment chose to embrace the retro aesthetic, catering to a niche audience that appreciated the charm of pixel art and text-based commands. The game’s development was constrained by the limitations of the AGI engine, which required meticulous planning and creative problem-solving to deliver a polished experience.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Characters

The game follows Mike Goodman, a con artist who, along with his girlfriend Sarah, tricks people into believing he can contact the dead. After a particularly unsuccessful day, Mike receives an offer from William Mayfield, the son of an oil tycoon, to investigate a haunted drilling station in Greenland. The station, known as “Mary,” was abandoned after mysterious events and sightings. Mike and Sarah join a team of scientists and paranormal investigators on an expedition to uncover the truth behind the hauntings.

The narrative unfolds through a series of eerie encounters and puzzles, as the team becomes trapped in the station and strange phenomena begin to occur. The plot is a blend of horror, mystery, and sci-fi, with themes of deception, survival, and the unknown.

Dialogue and Themes

The dialogue in Enclosure is well-written, with each character having distinct personalities and motivations. The game’s horror elements are subtly integrated into the narrative, creating a sense of dread and suspense. Themes of isolation, paranoia, and the supernatural are explored through the interactions between the characters and the environment.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loops

Enclosure features a classic adventure game structure, with the player controlling Mike’s movements using arrow keys or the mouse. Commands are entered via a text parser, allowing for a wide range of interactions with the environment. The game includes puzzle elements, inventory management, and dialogue trees, all of which contribute to a engaging and immersive experience.

Combat and Character Progression

Unlike many modern adventure games, Enclosure does not feature traditional combat. Instead, the focus is on solving puzzles and uncovering the truth behind the station’s hauntings. Character progression is minimal, with the player’s primary goal being to navigate the environment and interact with objects and characters to advance the plot.

User Interface and Innovative Systems

The user interface is straightforward, with a text parser at the bottom of the screen and a point-and-click system for movement. The game includes shortcuts for common commands, such as “l” for “look” and “o” for “open,” which streamline the gameplay experience. Additionally, the F6 key displays a list of characters present in the current room, a useful feature for keeping track of the various NPCs.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

The game’s setting is a remote drilling station in Greenland, a location that adds to the sense of isolation and dread. The station is filled with eerie details, such as strange oil stains and unexplained phenomena, which contribute to the overall atmosphere of horror and mystery.

Visual Direction

Enclosure features EGA-like graphics with a 160×100 resolution and 16 colors, reminiscent of classic Sierra games. The pixel art is well-crafted, with detailed animations and cinematic scenes that enhance the game’s atmosphere. The visual style is a deliberate nod to the past, appealing to fans of retro gaming.

Sound Design

The sound design in Enclosure is minimal but effective, with beep-like sounds imitating a PC speaker. The audio cues complement the visuals, creating a cohesive and immersive experience. The game’s soundtrack, composed by HwM and Joker, adds to the eerie atmosphere, with haunting melodies that enhance the horror elements.

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Enclosure received positive reviews from critics, with an average score of 78% based on four ratings. Critics praised the game’s atmospheric horror, well-written narrative, and faithful recreation of the Sierra-style adventure game experience. Players also appreciated the game’s puzzles and the sense of immersion it created.

Influence on Subsequent Games and the Industry

Enclosure has had a lasting impact on the indie gaming scene, inspiring other developers to create retro-style adventure games. The game’s success demonstrated the enduring appeal of text-based puzzles and pixel art, paving the way for modern interpretations of classic adventure game mechanics. The 2022 release of Enclosure 3-D, a 3D remaster of the original game, further cemented its place in gaming history.

Conclusion

Enclosure is a masterpiece of retro adventure gaming, blending classic Sierra-style mechanics with a unique narrative and atmospheric horror. Its development history, narrative depth, and innovative gameplay systems make it a standout title in the indie gaming landscape. The game’s lasting legacy is a testament to the enduring appeal of text-based adventures and the creativity of indie developers. For fans of classic adventure games and horror mysteries, Enclosure is a must-play experience that continues to captivate and inspire.