Rediscovering Retro Horror: Ecstatica and Its Sequel Set to Haunt Steam Soon
If you were flipping through PC gaming magazines back in the ’90s, chances are you stumbled upon the name Ecstatica. Developed by Andrew Spencer from London and published by Psygnosis, this series had two notable releases: the first one dropped in 1994, bringing with it a medieval survival horror experience. The sequel followed in 1997, maintaining the unique Ecstatica vibe but dialing down the horror elements a bit.
The art style of these games is what really sets them apart. Instead of your usual polygonal characters, Ecstatica opted for a distinctive look using ellipsoids—think roundish, bulbous shapes. Andrew Spencer crafted the engine from scratch to deliver this unique aesthetic. Unlike other games that rely on hard angles, the ellipsoids offered a more organic feel, though today, they might not seem as “organic” as they did back in the day.
As Spencer mentioned in an interview back in 1996, the benefit of using ellipsoids was that they allowed for smoother, more human-like characters compared to the rigid, robotic designs typical of triangles. He believed this approach not only created more visually appealing figures but was also more efficient in terms of design.
While Ecstatica’s graphics might feel a bit clunky to modern gamers used to fluid gameplay, the nostalgia factor is real. When I first saw screenshots of these titles, they felt like a significant leap from games like Alone in the Dark, even if they weren’t exactly groundbreaking in practice. Although you might be able to find Ecstatica and its follow-up online, they haven’t been commercially available for ages.
That’s about to change! Both Ecstatica and its sequel are part of a new wave of reissues from SNEG, which also includes other classics like the 2001 Dungeons & Dragons RPG Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor, the 1997 action game Dark Earth, the turn-based strategy Warlords 4 from 2001, and the military tactics sim Soldiers at War from 1998.
Sure, fans of modern horror might find the gameplay of Ecstatica a bit stiff, with its tank controls and fixed camera angles reminiscent of early titles like Resident Evil. However, the charm of seeing those iconic ellipsoid graphics in action is something truly special. Ecstatica and Ecstatica 2 are set to launch on Steam and GOG later this year, so keep an eye out for their haunting return!