Soul Trapper (Wireless)

[aruljothi]

Release Date: 10/13/2008
ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
Genre: Adventure
Publisher: Realtime Associates
Developer: Realtime Associates

In Soul Trapper, the showdown with a demon in hell doesn't require 3D-rendered fire or jagged, polygonal brimstone. Instead, this scene's built through sound effects, voice acting, and the occasional button press to dodge a hellfire staff at the exact moment it whizzes by your ears. The first of its kind, Soul Trapper's an adventure game that uses just audio -- instead of graphics -- to set the scene (with static imagery forming the backdrop for the audio). As a kind of interactive radio drama for the Apple-toting generation, Soul Trapper offers a well-told story, but some simplistic puzzles often make it more fun to listen to than to play.

You control Kane Pryce, a broke and busted paranormal investigator, who -- with the aid of some technology even Apple would be envious of -- is able to trap and banish haunting souls. These ghosts, ranging from a Gold Rush miner to a naval commodore, each spin a unique story and provide clues to a larger demonic plot. For example, in the first episode, Kane investigates a ghost child haunting a church and attempts to reunite him with his long-dead mother.

Click the image above to check out all the Soul Trapper screens.

Most of the game involves just sitting back and listening to the well-acted story, but at times, you'll have to press buttons to explore a small environment or perform other menial tasks. Several of the puzzles (using a metal detector on the beach, swordfighting by listening to the stereo "swoosh" to time your button presses) make great use of the sound design -- but tasks like tapping the screen to slow your heartbeat (which occurs more often than you might expect) get a bit repetitive. While the potential for future adventures is clear, Soul Trapper deserves a better, more complex game to support its ambitious storytelling.