House of Shadows The Electric Toy Company SNEAKING through a haunted house... HIDING from spooky ghosts... OUTSMARTING fiendish puzzles... Do you love all things … Free Buy Now Watch Media DetailsSNEAKING through a haunted house... HIDING from spooky ghosts... OUTSMARTING fiendish puzzles... Do you love all things sneaky and spooky? Then welcome to House of Shadows! Check out the trailer at: http://youtu.be/FY2sDKWmaO4 In House of Shadows, your little sister has wandered into a haunted house. Sneak in after her, avoid the monsters, and lead her back to safety before the ghosts catch you! House of Shadows offers Hide-and-Sneak gameplay with gorgeous light-based visuals. Torches glow and flicker in real time. Lightning casts shadows across dusty rooms. Your flashlight lights up dark corners. You've never seen graphics quite this lush on your iOS device! FEATURING: * Delightful Hide-and-Sneak gameplay * Great for all players young and old * Unbelievable lighting effects * 60 levels, with more arriving soon * Two distinct monster types: ghosts and zombies * Choose your own character: girl or boy * Two haunted houses full of puzzles, treasure, and adventure Information Seller:The Electric Toy Company Genre:Action, Adventure Release:Oct 04, 2012 Updated:Jul 24, 2017 Version:1.2 Size:50.2 MB TouchArcade Rating:Unrated User Rating: (2) Your Rating:unrated Compatibility:HD Universal Subscribe to the TouchArcade YouTube channel Inspired by Atari's "Hounted House"? LCDDreams Well-Known Member Jul 11, 2011 402 0 0 Game Designer San Jose, CA http://www.lcddreams.com #2 LCDDreams, Oct 4, 2012 Looks to me like it's more inspired by Dynamite Jack - looks almost identical in fact. dadamlamim Member Sep 17, 2012 17 0 0 #3 dadamlamim, Oct 5, 2012 Looks like Luigi Mansion for WiiU Filing Cabinet Well-Known Member Aug 20, 2011 997 0 16 #4 Filing Cabinet, Oct 5, 2012 Yeah that was my first thought as well. Especially the environment lighting/colours. Bertman Well-Known Member Sep 7, 2011 308 0 0 #5 Bertman, Oct 5, 2012 Anyone play this? This looks kinda cool! anada Well-Known Member Oct 20, 2010 79 0 0 #6 anada, Oct 5, 2012 Looks interesting. Might pick this up when I get home runliketurtles Well-Known Member Feb 21, 2012 191 0 16 #7 runliketurtles, Oct 5, 2012 That's what I was thinking too. I really like Dynamite Jack, but not sure about this game based on the description. Is there a video of gameplay anywhere (I couldn't find one). Andy C83 Well-Known Member Oct 20, 2010 3,627 20 38 Over the Rainbow #8 Andy C83, Oct 5, 2012 I enjoyed reading the app description, and will probably buy it based on that alone. The game might be a little on the easy side though, if it's aimed at kids as well as adults. We'll see though, I'll download at 12.00 GMT. Bertman Well-Known Member Sep 7, 2011 308 0 0 #9 Bertman, Oct 5, 2012 Ok so I got it and its nothing like I thought it would be. I have only played the light version of Dynimite Jack but I would say this is closer to spy mouse. Each room is a little level where you have to get gems and solve real simple puzzles. There are ghost you have to avoid from seeing you. I only played for a little while but so far I regret getting it. It is line drawing I guess but you can just tap somewhere and go there. I don't like how the controls feel. So far the low lighting has no effect on game play. Maybe it's because I was expecting more but it feels like a cheap game to me right now. I'll play more and hopefully it will be more to my liking. Bertman Well-Known Member Sep 7, 2011 308 0 0 #10 Bertman, Oct 5, 2012 Ahh I hate the controls! The light effects were starting to come into play but the line drawing feels more like dragging and just aren't as tight as I'm used to. I know they say this will never go free but I definitely see a price drop in its near future. With better controls it might be fun if not a little more of the same. I hope to see other people's opinions to see if its just me but I wouldn't recommend getting this. anada Well-Known Member Oct 20, 2010 79 0 0 #11 anada, Oct 6, 2012 Lucky I went to sleep when I got home from work and forgot to get this. So no go (for now) at least? Anyone else got impressions? How's the difficulty? I love stealth games and was hoping this one would nail the controls and be difficult bababewey Well-Known Member Jun 8, 2012 272 0 16 #12 bababewey, Oct 6, 2012 I'm having trouble believing this is made by the same people that made kingdom rush metalcasket Moderator Staff Member Patreon Silver Patreon Gold Patreon Bronze May 24, 2010 11,064 1,340 113 Deepest Circle, Hel #13 metalcasket, Oct 6, 2012 It isn't. It's merely published by the same people who published Kingdom Rush. Ironhide Game Studios made Kingdom Rush, but I have no idea who made this. That comment earlier in the thread is misleading. bababewey Well-Known Member Jun 8, 2012 272 0 16 #14 bababewey, Oct 6, 2012 Ah, makes sense then MidianGTX Well-Known Member Jun 16, 2009 3,738 10 38 #15 MidianGTX, Oct 6, 2012 The blending of colours in the screenshots makes me think Sword of Fargoal. JeffWofford Member Oct 8, 2012 22 0 0 Programmer #16 JeffWofford, Oct 8, 2012 From the developer... Hi all! This is Jeff Wofford, the designer and programmer of House of Shadows. So glad to see you guys are discussing my game! Let me answer some of your questions from above. First, influences. The games that most directly influenced me on this one were Thief and Metal Gear Solid. Remember those? I definitely was feeling Luigi's Mansion as I thought about the spooky look and feel of the game. More recently, I had played Spy Mouse, and it helped me think about how to make the game more "casual" and accessible. I had not seen Dynamite Jack, but it looks cool. Somebody asked about a gameplay video. We're working on that and will let you know when it's ready. We dropped the introductory price down to $0.99. If that's still too much to at least try out the game, well... good luck buying a coffee, or a gallon of gas. As for the controls... give them a little time. We've done extensive playtesting with this game, comparing the control scheme with what Spy Mouse did and many, many other approaches, and we found that this scheme was what people ultimately preferred. It's actually a Diablo-style control scheme. You just tap where you want to go, and your character goes there. No fuss. Or, you can drag your finger and your character continues to move toward your finger. Later in the gameafter 15 rooms or soyou get your flashlight. You can aim it by moving your finger near your character. I mean, the game explains all this, but if you're feeling some discomfort from the controls, it may be a matter of getting used to them and getting the flashlight. So please, keep an open mind about this game. It's crafted with care and love. It's just been out for four daysit's had no marketing yetand we've already had hundreds of downloads and lots of great ratings on the App Store. Please try it. We think you'll love it, too. You were asking about my relationship to Armor Games, so let me tell you a little something about myself. I've worked in the games industry a long time, having worked on Ultima Online at Origin Systems. I worked at Gearbox Software for several years, helping to ship Halo for the PC and to get Borderlands started. I also was lead programmer, project manager, and a chief designer on Brothers in Arms. For the last several years I've working with Armor Games on Flash and iOS titles. We made Coffee Shop together, Phit, and others. I brought Crush the Castle to the iPhone and iPad. I did a little internal play testing and advice-giving on Kingdom Rushwhich is a terrific game, as you knowbut otherwise didn't work on that one. Again, thanks for your questions, and please enjoy the game! Let me know if there's anything else I can answer, or other ways to make the game even better! metalcasket Moderator Staff Member Patreon Silver Patreon Gold Patreon Bronze May 24, 2010 11,064 1,340 113 Deepest Circle, Hel #17 metalcasket, Oct 8, 2012 First of all, welcome to TouchArcade, Jeff. Second of all...Thief? MGS? This for just a buck? I must say the screenshots are gorgeous, but I guess I let Bertman's impressions make or break this purchase for me. Gonna go against that and give House of Shadows a try. metalcasket Moderator Staff Member Patreon Silver Patreon Gold Patreon Bronze May 24, 2010 11,064 1,340 113 Deepest Circle, Hel #18 metalcasket, Oct 8, 2012 Last edited: Oct 8, 2012 Sorry for the double post, I'm trying to get this thread some attention. Yeah, ermmm...okay? Where do I begin? As Sanuku would say, just smash the buy button, OK? This is magical. So much polish, flawless controls, the best lighting in a game on iOS not called Dynamite Jack...I'd say they're equal tbh and...and....so I'm just a few levels in, so I can't judge the difficulty, but honestly, I don't care. The game is so bloody charming, I can't wait to charge my phone up and continue. Wow...I completely regret not buying this earlier. WOW! EDIT: DAT MUSIC! How could I forget it? Just a charming game altogether. Get it. Now. Now. Now. Sanuku Well-Known Member Jun 14, 2009 11,954 4 38 Austria http://www.touchgameplay.com #19 Sanuku, Oct 8, 2012 Game Impressions Subscribe to the TouchArcade YouTube channel sugimulm Well-Known Member Aug 28, 2010 2,456 46 48 The last time zone for iOS game releases :( #20 sugimulm, Oct 8, 2012 Trusting Metalcasket and Sanuku, will buy. It is nice to see Jeff on the site and with credentials like his, I am impressed. Will support, just because love Borderland series. Thanks for the post Jeff and welcome to TA! 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That's what I was thinking too. I really like Dynamite Jack, but not sure about this game based on the description. Is there a video of gameplay anywhere (I couldn't find one).
I enjoyed reading the app description, and will probably buy it based on that alone. The game might be a little on the easy side though, if it's aimed at kids as well as adults. We'll see though, I'll download at 12.00 GMT.
Ok so I got it and its nothing like I thought it would be. I have only played the light version of Dynimite Jack but I would say this is closer to spy mouse. Each room is a little level where you have to get gems and solve real simple puzzles. There are ghost you have to avoid from seeing you. I only played for a little while but so far I regret getting it. It is line drawing I guess but you can just tap somewhere and go there. I don't like how the controls feel. So far the low lighting has no effect on game play. Maybe it's because I was expecting more but it feels like a cheap game to me right now. I'll play more and hopefully it will be more to my liking.
Ahh I hate the controls! The light effects were starting to come into play but the line drawing feels more like dragging and just aren't as tight as I'm used to. I know they say this will never go free but I definitely see a price drop in its near future. With better controls it might be fun if not a little more of the same. I hope to see other people's opinions to see if its just me but I wouldn't recommend getting this.
Lucky I went to sleep when I got home from work and forgot to get this. So no go (for now) at least? Anyone else got impressions? How's the difficulty? I love stealth games and was hoping this one would nail the controls and be difficult
It isn't. It's merely published by the same people who published Kingdom Rush. Ironhide Game Studios made Kingdom Rush, but I have no idea who made this. That comment earlier in the thread is misleading.
From the developer... Hi all! This is Jeff Wofford, the designer and programmer of House of Shadows. So glad to see you guys are discussing my game! Let me answer some of your questions from above. First, influences. The games that most directly influenced me on this one were Thief and Metal Gear Solid. Remember those? I definitely was feeling Luigi's Mansion as I thought about the spooky look and feel of the game. More recently, I had played Spy Mouse, and it helped me think about how to make the game more "casual" and accessible. I had not seen Dynamite Jack, but it looks cool. Somebody asked about a gameplay video. We're working on that and will let you know when it's ready. We dropped the introductory price down to $0.99. If that's still too much to at least try out the game, well... good luck buying a coffee, or a gallon of gas. As for the controls... give them a little time. We've done extensive playtesting with this game, comparing the control scheme with what Spy Mouse did and many, many other approaches, and we found that this scheme was what people ultimately preferred. It's actually a Diablo-style control scheme. You just tap where you want to go, and your character goes there. No fuss. Or, you can drag your finger and your character continues to move toward your finger. Later in the gameafter 15 rooms or soyou get your flashlight. You can aim it by moving your finger near your character. I mean, the game explains all this, but if you're feeling some discomfort from the controls, it may be a matter of getting used to them and getting the flashlight. So please, keep an open mind about this game. It's crafted with care and love. It's just been out for four daysit's had no marketing yetand we've already had hundreds of downloads and lots of great ratings on the App Store. Please try it. We think you'll love it, too. You were asking about my relationship to Armor Games, so let me tell you a little something about myself. I've worked in the games industry a long time, having worked on Ultima Online at Origin Systems. I worked at Gearbox Software for several years, helping to ship Halo for the PC and to get Borderlands started. I also was lead programmer, project manager, and a chief designer on Brothers in Arms. For the last several years I've working with Armor Games on Flash and iOS titles. We made Coffee Shop together, Phit, and others. I brought Crush the Castle to the iPhone and iPad. I did a little internal play testing and advice-giving on Kingdom Rushwhich is a terrific game, as you knowbut otherwise didn't work on that one. Again, thanks for your questions, and please enjoy the game! Let me know if there's anything else I can answer, or other ways to make the game even better!
First of all, welcome to TouchArcade, Jeff. Second of all...Thief? MGS? This for just a buck? I must say the screenshots are gorgeous, but I guess I let Bertman's impressions make or break this purchase for me. Gonna go against that and give House of Shadows a try.
Sorry for the double post, I'm trying to get this thread some attention. Yeah, ermmm...okay? Where do I begin? As Sanuku would say, just smash the buy button, OK? This is magical. So much polish, flawless controls, the best lighting in a game on iOS not called Dynamite Jack...I'd say they're equal tbh and...and....so I'm just a few levels in, so I can't judge the difficulty, but honestly, I don't care. The game is so bloody charming, I can't wait to charge my phone up and continue. Wow...I completely regret not buying this earlier. WOW! EDIT: DAT MUSIC! How could I forget it? Just a charming game altogether. Get it. Now. Now. Now.
Trusting Metalcasket and Sanuku, will buy. It is nice to see Jeff on the site and with credentials like his, I am impressed. Will support, just because love Borderland series. Thanks for the post Jeff and welcome to TA!