It's not uncommon for Hollywood blockbuster films to spawn licensed video game adaptations, but how often do we see the worst movies turned into interactive adventures? Harold P. Warren's Manos: The Hands of Fate has gone down in history as one of the worst films of all time (and was made famous after being featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000 back in 1993), and now after so many decades of "entertaining" viewers, it's set to become an iOS game based on the 2D platformers of the Nintendo Entertainment System generation courtesy of Freakzone Games. An Android version is due later in the year, and if both do well, it may even pop up on PC. Here's the pitch and the premise:
MANOS: The Hands of Fate is an homage to the great games you remember from your childhood! Remember how every film and cartoon had it's own platform game adaptation? When every man, woman, child, animal and inanimate object were out to get your character? When the streets were filled with bats, ghosts and Frankenstein monsters? MANOS will take you back to the fantastically absurd games of the past!
Lost on their vacation, Mike and his family have wandered the desert trying to find a place to stay, only to wind up in the haunted Valley Lodge. Maintained by Torgo, an unusual man/satyr who "takes care of the place while The Master is away", the hotel is swimming with paranormal activity which Mike has to brave through to find his now missing family. Who is The Master, and what does he want with Mike's family? Armed with his trusty revolver, Mike will have to wander the haunted halls, venture out into the desert, uncover a dark temple and battle the forces of darkness to find out!
Watch the game's trailer and you'll find that there's more going on here than just Manos. There are plenty of elements borrowed from other movies showcased on Mystery Science Theater 3000. Pay close attention and you'll spot the screaming skull, a hobgoblin, Ro-Man, and so much more. And, of course, this wouldn't be a Manos game without the inclusion of Torgo and his haunting theme (word has it that he fills the role of Knuckles the Echidna from Sonic the Hedgehog 3, appearing at various times to trigger traps and hinder your progress). I'm definitely going to check this game out when it hits the App Store next week. It seems like it was made just for me.
(via Kotaku)
