Curse! by peter edwards

What is the secret of the graveyard? What horror lies beyond the catacombs? To find out, try this Gothic adventure - if you dare!

Play online

Review DarkDoomsday

21 Jul 2019

No real gameplay just walking around in confusion

Comment peter edwards

29 Mar 2018

Hi dihandler3589,
You have looked under things, but have you examined what you found? A small hint for later. Before leaving the safety of the church, be sure to “save”.
Good luck, and remember I’m here to help.
Peter

Comment dhandler3589

28 Mar 2018

Hey Peter, I'm new to text adventures but have really enjoyed them thus far and am having fun with Curse. However I am a little stuck right now. I have collected the crowbar, bone, and droppings. I also read the engraving on bell and looked under carpet and pews and have done just about everything I can think of in the church but still cant figure out how to get this key from the water! Any advice on helpful commands?

Comment peter edwards

22 Mar 2018

Skyrimplayer753,
Look under something and examine what you find.
Good luck,
Peter

Comment SKYRIMPLAYER753

22 Mar 2018

WHERE THE FUCK IS THE KEY!!!

Review Bromjunaar_18

06 Feb 2018

I could not spot anything regarding peace or exit.

Comment peter edwards

04 Feb 2018

Good morning Kineko,
The iron key will unlock the church doors. (Simply “unlock doors” will do it), but don’t go outside before exploring somewhere high in the church!
Good luck
Peter

Comment Kineko

04 Feb 2018

I'm stuck at the beginning, how do I use that iron key? I can't do anything. Can someone tell me what commands will be useful?

Comment peter edwards

02 Feb 2018

Sinca,
Glad you had fun with Curse, and that the ending was effective! Hope you had the wherewithal to be “saved” and the startling picture was replaced by a nicer one!
Thank you for your review. I’m pleased there is still a call for this kind of game.
Peter

Review Sinca12

02 Feb 2018

Another homerun, Peter!

Fun game! Great balance of challenging puzzles without being impossible!

I must say, the picture at the end gave me quite a start.

Comment peter edwards

27 Jan 2018

De Joie,
Examine everything, including looking under things. You’ll soon be able to leave the church building, but don’t go into the churchyard before a thorough search of the church for a vital clue. Suggest a ‘save’ before venturing out!
Good luck, and ask again if necessary.
Peter

Comment De Joie

27 Jan 2018

Hi I've been playing this game for less than 5 minutes and I'm already stuck XD. I can't go out into the graveyard or get the key or open the cupboard and I don't know what to do with the bone or the spider :D. Help?

Comment peter edwards

26 Jan 2018

Thank you for that, Jim. I take your point!
Peter

Comment jimbrock

26 Jan 2018

No! It's pointless making it more forgiving. You need to understand the clue before you go in so what's the point of extending the agony.

The clue is there to see.

That's my opinion.

Comment peter edwards

26 Jan 2018

Jim,
Thank you for your review.
Very glad you enjoyed my rather dark adventure. Sorry it was a little cruel at times, especially in the graveyard, but I suppose that’s to be expected given the circumstances!
I’m toying with the idea of making it a little less unforgiving at that point.
Don’t know what you think...
Peter

Review jimbrock

26 Jan 2018

Peter strikes again! Another excellent text adventure.

Some tricky problems with great clues. I love the way new areas open up by solving problems. I had to go the comments a couple of times and I kicked myself for not spotting the clues.

I really enjoyed it!

Review GameofChocolate

30 Aug 2017

I'm tired of accidentally hitting the fog and then having to try to navigate back. Every time I try to look around I get lost. I'm so done. The game was fairly good other than that.

Comment peter edwards

30 Jun 2017

Natloud,
Simply "tfil mottob"!
Cheers
Peter

Comment Natloud

30 Jun 2017

I'm feeling like I'm missing something obvious but I can't figure out the verb to interact with the mottob fo eht tsehc.

Comment peter edwards

08 Jan 2017

DavyB, I'm very pleased that you enjoyed "Curse!". Thank you for your encouraging review. Thank you also for pointing out the two anomalies you found. I tend to be a little obsessive about such details, and so am delighted to have the opportunity to correct them!
I look forward to hearing from you again.
Peter

Review DavyB

08 Jan 2017

It is a pleasure to have played yet another excellent game from Peter Edwards. As usual, it is well designed over a relatively small number of locations and indeed there is no need for a map in this case. It can also be completed relatively quickly, depending, of course, on how long it takes you to solve the puzzles! Even knowing that Peter’s games involve thorough searching, I have to admit that I struggled in a few places. The game has now been up for over 4 years, however, so other players had similar difficulties, meaning that the response comments from Peter covered all I needed to know. My one regret is that I didn’t try a bit harder before sneaking a peak at these additional clues!!

Comment peter edwards

07 Jan 2017

Done! Should be OK now.

Comment peter edwards

07 Jan 2017

Point taken, DavyB. It's back to the drawing board for me then...
I'll update when the problem is solved.
Peter

Comment DavyB

07 Jan 2017

Sorry Peter, the root issue is more complex than I implied. First pull the root then try to take it. Two entrances open and on then trying to go east, the response is (in effect) "which east do you mean"!

Comment peter edwards

07 Jan 2017

Hi again, DavyB,
Checked out the unexpected events. I'm happy with the root situation, but agree that the wheel event was illogical! It has now been amended.
Thanks again,
Peter

Comment peter edwards

07 Jan 2017

Hi DavyB,
Welcome back!
Thank you for pointing out the unexpected outcomes - I'll investigate them and see if I can fine-tune them.
See you later!
Peter

Comment DavyB

07 Jan 2017

Hi Peter, I've just switched back from making games to playing them and decided to catch up with a few of your back numbers.

I've completed Curse and will add a review shortly. Nothing failed but I noticed a couple of unexpected outcomes: <spoiler>on pulling the root a second time; in being able to take the wheel </spoiler>

Comment peter edwards

27 Aug 2016

The "put in hand" problem should now be solved - it was a sound-file compatibility issue.

Comment peter edwards

27 Aug 2016

Tamzy,
Very happy you enjoyed the game and many thanks for your kind review. I'm glad you survived! I was interested to note that putting the orb into the hand didn't seem to work. It should have! I checked, and, as you said, it turns to stone. But after a second or two, the action should have continued in the same way as giving the orb to statue. I probably built in too much of a pause. This, combined with a later version of Quest, may have caused a crash. Sorry if it frustrated you, but I'm pleased you didn't give up.
Peter

Review Tamzy

27 Aug 2016

Great game, lots of clues throughout if you can figure out what to look for. I'm fairly new at these games so I had to get some assistance, but overall very enjoyable. Some great moments. :)

Comment Tamzy

27 Aug 2016

Solved. Thank you! Despite my ineptitude, it was a great game. Thanks for your assistance!

Comment Tamzy

27 Aug 2016

SPOILERS

Ok, I found the discrepancy. I had been putting the orb in the hand. When I put the orb in the hand, everything turns to stone and the game is over. I did what you said and just gave the orb to the statue, now it is continuing.

Comment peter edwards

23 Aug 2016

Tamzy,
SPOILERS.

I'm not sure what the problem is here. You've got the orb, and given it to the statue. The knight's sword arm should have descended and allowed you to examine, and get, the sword. On returning to the tomb, the climax should occur (in your favour!). After that you have to "press any key" to get the final message.
I have just replayed the game online myself and noted that, due to the latest version of Quest, you sometimes need to scroll down to find the text box. Also, I had to wait sometimes for something to happen, but that's because I have fairly poor connection.

I hope you manage to complete the game successfully. You've done so well, and worked out the puzzles. You deserve to "find peace..."

Please let me know how you get on.

Peter

Comment Tamzy

23 Aug 2016

That makes sense and the first thing I thought of was that knight statue. But nothing happens. I mean, something happens, but then the game ends. Don't think I died, no sound, no nothing. It just ends. So I've been trying to find something else and feeling quite inept at this point. LOL That statue is the only thing I can find that interacts with the orb. Is that the end? Have I missed a step?

Comment peter edwards

22 Aug 2016

Well done, Tamzy,
You have very nearly finished. You need to give the orb to someone (or something) that seems to be asking for something. Whatever you do, don't hang about in or near the orb room or tomb, or return to it, until you have done this.
(I hope you have the sound turned on...)

Comment Tamzy

22 Aug 2016

Thanks for all your help thus far. I made it through the tunnels, portcullis, etc and got the orb. I can only find 2 interractions for it and both end the game. Where should I be looking?

Comment peter edwards

20 Aug 2016

Hi Tamzy,
No, it's not a glitch. The catacombs are designed to make you lose your sense of direction! They wind everywhere so you can often find yourself back where you started. These mediaeval planners were very cunning! What you need to do is "examine tunnels" every so often, and you will find another little tunnel...
Good luck!

Comment Tamzy

20 Aug 2016

I'm in the catacombs and it says tunnels go in all directions, however no matter which direction I go, it leads me to the same place. I went west and dropped my gloves in that room. Then I went back to the start and went north...there are the gloves. East was the same. No matter which direction I go, its the same room. Is it supposed to be that way or is it a glitch? I just don't want to spend hours trying to figure this out if something is wrong.

Comment Tamzy

19 Aug 2016

Oh geez. OK, I got it! Back and the church now and heading down into new area. Thanks for the assist!

Comment peter edwards

19 Aug 2016

Tamzy,
When you first opened the chest, it said something like "you see a coin lying on the bottom". You have examined the coin. Now...
Peter

Comment Tamzy

19 Aug 2016

Woohoo! I found a bug! lol OK, I'm very frustrated with this chest. You said examine everything in the chest but there's nothing in it to examine. I even put all my things in the chest and examined everything while it was in there. I've used every command I can think of on that darn chest and I can't find anything. It hurts my pride, but can you give me a hint?

Comment peter edwards

19 Aug 2016

Small, previously unnoticed, bug removed. If you have a game already in progress, I shouldn't bother to re-upload - it's not really important!

Comment peter edwards

19 Aug 2016

Hi Tamzin,
Amazing - you have found a bug! After nearly 4 years of being played, nobody, including myself, realised that the coin could not be picked up after being dropped! I will rectify this shortly, but meanwhile don't worry about it. The coin is not only a red herring. It's a very dangerous one.
It was not the only object in the chest. Examine everything in the chest , and I mean everything...
Peter

Comment Tamzy

18 Aug 2016

OK, I'm back at the chest. Obviously I missed something here. I'm in the process of doing everything I can think of with every object I possess. However one thing is frustrating me. That darn coin! I can't figure out how to see the other side of the coin and every time I put it down I can't pick it back up no matter where I put it. Is that significant or is that just something that happens?

Comment peter edwards

18 Aug 2016

Tamzy,
You are right to resist eating the bread. You will find a use for it later...
Peter

Comment Tamzy

18 Aug 2016

Not very far. Have the bread which I'm not eating. Tried to lure out that hungry earthworm with no success. Back at the church now trying to find a purpose for that darn bread!

Comment peter edwards

18 Aug 2016

Hi Tamzy,
Well done for finding the secret of getting through the churchyard. How far have you got now?
Peter

Comment Tamzy

18 Aug 2016

Nice! Trying to beat the sunlight had me stumped. So I put myself in the mindset of a vampire and did the only thing I could think of to do and what do you know! LOL

Comment peter edwards

18 Aug 2016

Hi Tamzy,
You won't be able to get at the key in the water yet. If you examine things in the church, and look under something, then examine what you find, you will progress!
Good luck, and stay in touch.
Hint - "save" before leaving the church...Peter

Comment Tamzy

17 Aug 2016

I'm new to these types of games. I've tried a few that seemed too easy and I read good things about your games so thought I'd give this a try. Totally feeling stupid, but now I'm stuck. I've read through the comments and I cant seem to find the first key. I see a key in the water, but can't get at it. I've got the bone, ate the spider, and examined, looked in and around, and tried to use the crowbar/push/kick/tip everything in sight and I can't seem to find the next step. Help! (Is there a walkthrough?)

Comment peter edwards

15 Apr 2016

Kyo, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed "Curse" and found it atmospheric. Thank for your kind review. It's always good to know that one's game is appreciated!
Peter

Review KyuJones

15 Apr 2016

The popular puzzler! This man's games are quite intriguing, albeit tricky! If help is ever needed, though, reading through or ask in the comments for helpful hints!

This dark little story is well done with it's small map of riddles. Nice creepy and lonely setting that.... kinda made me glad I'm playing midday around people. But then, I'm a bit of a scaredy cat.

Thanks, Mr. Peter Edwards, for a darkly lovely game.

Comment KyuJones

15 Apr 2016

Oh man! I kept trying to run thinking I needed a hero.... fear of a monster kept me from realizing I could be my own!

Very well done! Love your games! ^__^

Comment peter edwards

15 Apr 2016

All sorted now!

Comment peter edwards

15 Apr 2016

Thank you for pointing that out, Kyo. I shall look into it. meanwhile, I'm glad you surmounted the problem, and hope it hasn't spoilt your enjoyment! (Probably a good idea to do frequent saves in this game, anyway...)
Good luck, and let me know if you need any help
Peter

Comment KyuJones

15 Apr 2016

to note...
upon finding werewolf, ability to type disappears. I was able to progress after using Crispin's trick of saving, exiting, resuming.... This brought up the same page with the now viewable text box, but thought I'd make you aware that it's a bit of a block...

Comment peter edwards

17 Sep 2015

Good morning, K.Latmer. Thanks for your interest.
Simply type LV...
Good luck!
Peter

Comment K.Latmer

16 Sep 2015

How do I dear the koob? it asks what egap and I know it is egap LV but how to open it there?

Comment DaNiX88

03 Apr 2015

Peter,

Yeah, I was careful about that. And though I had read about it accidentally in the comments, I know, by my own nature, that since I had and probably would only find one gold coin in the game, I would have thought better than to not spend it wisely.

And, unlike you guys, I don't remember the golden days of text adventure games, only that, as a child I had this one experience one time and I had thought it was interesting. But that was that and now I'm pretty much (re)discovering the joys of text adventures now.

Thanks for that,
Dan

Comment peter edwards

27 Mar 2015

Gazman,
Very glad you enjoyed "Curse!". I also remember with affection The Hobbit adventure on the 48k Spectrum.
Peter

Review Gazman0169

27 Mar 2015

The only reason I gave this a 4 and not a 5 is that it was a little short for my liking, but what you do get is a well-rounded text based survival horror romp that'll have your brains smoking. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in this game, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who likes a good text adventure.

Comment Gazman0169

27 Mar 2015

Peter, great game, shame it was a little short, but I enjoyed it none the less. I'd forgotten just how much I enjoy playing text adventures, and this brought me back to my days of playing Twin Kingdom Valley and The Hobbit on my much beloved 48k Spectrum, thanks for that. G

Comment peter edwards

17 Mar 2015

Dan,
Quite so. Danger is part of the game! However, arriving at an unwinnable situation without realising it, is frustrating. There is one such in "City" so, as a hint, I would advise you to spend wisely, and save before buying...

Peter

Comment DaNiX88

16 Mar 2015

Peter,
I agree, I feel that I get much more involved in text-games if there's a risk involved. It transforms from just a puzzle to be solved, into a dangerous obstacle course that, if a mistake is made, will cause your death. I also enjoy the in-game deaths if they are, of course, entertaining, or vividly described. And yes, I had played your game HMS Victory, though I hadn't been able to finish it. I had a lot of difficulty navigating by pictures only. Perhaps I'll give that game another try.

Thanks for the fun and I'm looking forward to the next game I play of yours.

Dan

Comment peter edwards

13 Mar 2015

DaNiX88,
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. I'm also reassured that you didn't mind "dying" a few times. Some people think that it's a real "no-no", but I think it's an important feature in text games. In my earlier games, especially "HMS Victory", I put quite a lot in, but tried to make them entertaining!

Review DaNiX88

13 Mar 2015

Another fun, high-quality game! There are quite a few ways to die in this one, so I was actually put at the edge of my seat and took care to save often. Definitely a recommendation for text-game enthusiasts!

Comment Charsi

01 Aug 2014

I have figured it out since, thanks.

Comment peter edwards

29 Jul 2014

Hi charsi,
Once you step off the path, you are doomed!
You need to know your course before leaving the church. You may have already read the hint. Does anything ring a bell?

Comment Charsi

28 Jul 2014

Is it time limited? How can I get around the sunrise?

Review Crispin

24 Dec 2013

Excellent atmosphere and writing, clear and vivid descriptions, gripping storyline, challenging but solvable puzzles (with hints... heh heh heh). Overall a very well done game!

Comment Crispin

24 Dec 2013

Thanks! Merry Christmas to you too!

-Crispin

Comment peter edwards

24 Dec 2013

You've got the right idea, Crispin. Drop the bread. But bear in mind, it won't come out while you're there!
Good luck - and Merry Christmas!
Peter

Comment Crispin

24 Dec 2013

Peter,
I am still stuck at that portcullis. I feel like I should use the daerb somehow to entice it out, but I haven't the faintest idea what to do with it. Could you give me a hint?
Thanks,
Crispin

Comment peter edwards

09 Dec 2013

Reidolol,
Press "Add new script"
Under "Output" find "Wait for a key press"
Double click on it
Then run the script you want.
Hope this helps
Peter

Comment Reidolol

09 Dec 2013

Peter Edwards
Im creating a game called Silent Hill: The Corner. But i dont know how to do this: http://prntscr.com/29v15b
Can you at least say what is it?

Comment Claire6129

09 Dec 2013

Sorry, but I just find that it isn't good when someone doesn't know how to even do it!
I'm sure that if you said what to do just to start the game, it would be good, because you obviously got a lot of good reviews, so me saying that it's bad won't affect anything, but… yeah.

Comment peter edwards

08 Dec 2013

Claire6129,
If you haven't started the game, why have you reviewed it?

Comment peter edwards

08 Dec 2013

Crispin,
You are correct in thinking that you need to gain strength by eating something - something with more protein than a spider! The room description gives you a clue. The problem will be to entice it forth...
Good hunting!

Comment Crispin

08 Dec 2013

Peter,
More questions :p I love puzzle games but I always get hopelessly stuck repeatedly on silly things. I am stuck at the portcullis. I managed to take the leehw but I can't turn it. I tried crowbarring it, and I ate the redips but I still can't turn it, and I can't eat the daerb. Help?
Crispin

Comment Crispin

08 Dec 2013

Aha! Genius. Thanks!

Comment peter edwards

08 Dec 2013

Crispin,
When you first examined the opened chest, you saw "a small coin lying on the bottom". You've examined the coin (I presume) so now...
Peter

Comment Crispin

08 Dec 2013

Look in/behind/under, get, lift, move, smell, tip, feel, empty, take, inspect, open, close, use crowbar on, kick, using everything in my inventory on, taste, sit in... :p Hint?

Crispin

Comment peter edwards

08 Dec 2013

Crispin,
You're doing so well I don't want to give too much away, but examine the chest more thoroughly - there's more in it than the coin!
Peter

Comment Crispin

08 Dec 2013

Peter,
The w/w page wouldn't load. I had to save it and then refresh the page before I could do anything :p I found the noic in the evarg and the daerb in the cupboard. Where to next? I have been running in circles around the church and the grave and am once again stuck. Any hints?

Thanks!

Comment peter edwards

08 Dec 2013

Crispin,
A PS to my last. The sgnippord are slightly significant. I had forgotten that they can give you a slight clue to something. So they do count...

Comment peter edwards

08 Dec 2013

Crispin,
You can either evig it to the w/w or simply worht it. Re sgnippord - don't worry about them. You can find them for fun and do things to/with them which may cause you amusement, but they're red herrings!
Peter

Comment Crispin

08 Dec 2013

Peter,
Where are these sgnippord I keep hearing about? and I imagined the enob would distract the werewolf but apparently not?

Comment Reidolol

07 Dec 2013

OK, Thanks
I'd like to remove my review of 1 star and place a review of 4 or 5 stars

Comment peter edwards

07 Dec 2013

Reidolol,
Look everywhere, examine everything.
Two of the main features of my games are to find hidden objects and to solve puzzles. Give it a good try first, and if necessary I'll send you a private message through the forum so as not to spoil it for others.

Comment Reidolol

07 Dec 2013

Can you at least say what room are the key?

Comment peter edwards

07 Dec 2013

Reidolol,
Wrong key, I'm afraid. Keep looking!

Comment Reidolol

07 Dec 2013

I found the wet key. But i can't take.

Comment peter edwards

07 Dec 2013

Reidolol,
To get out of the church you need to find the key which is hidden in the church.
If you need more, just ask.

Comment Reidolol

07 Dec 2013

Im stuck in the church,i can go to belfry,bell tower,west end of church,east end of church and crypt. I got the crowbar,droppings and bone. I got the spider too,but i eat it.

Comment peter edwards

07 Dec 2013

Reidolol,
Glad to help you, but I need to know what you are stuck on.

Comment peter edwards

07 Dec 2013

Crispin,
First of all, well done for finding your way to the werewolf. You need to get past it. Do you have anything with you to tempt it? There's something in the crypt you'll want...
Unfortunately, to find the clue for getting back you need to get rid of the werewolf! So, either start again, or ask me and I'll give you a spoiler.
Let me know if you need more help.
Good luck!

Comment Reidolol

07 Dec 2013

I have crowbar,droppings and bone. I eat the spider. What i need do?

Comment Crispin

07 Dec 2013

I followed the directions in the cemetery and found the werewolf, and then the game just... stops? It doesn't say I am dead, but no commands work. Am I supposed to be able to do something, or did I mess up the directions?

Comment peter edwards

05 Dec 2013

I have simplified the opening puzzle as it has proved too difficult for a lot of players. I hope that this will encourage them to get stuck into the adventure!

Comment Reidolol

13 Nov 2013

i can rated better if has some items,what funny is using walkthrough because game has no hints,the start shows a room but nothing

Comment peter edwards

13 Nov 2013

Reidolol,
I would have given you hints any time. You only had to ask. If you haven't even played the game, I think it's a little unfair to review it...

Comment peter edwards

12 Nov 2013

Charles, I'm very pleased you enjoyed "Dom Orre". I have quite an affection for that one as it was based - VERY loosely - on my own house!
Thank you again for your reviews. I'm always thrilled to read them (even if retrospective!)
How sad is that...?

Comment Charles Scott

12 Nov 2013

Hi, Peter. I did play "Dom Orr", with great enjoyment. I think it was the first game I played, and was one of the main things that got me hooked on text adventures. I wasn't signed up for leaving comments and reviews at that time, though. Perhaps I should leave one retrospectively!

Comment peter edwards

12 Nov 2013

Charles, glad you liked "Curse", and thank you for your review.
Actually, there's one of my games you've missed! The House of Dom Orre. Look forward to hearing from you again!
Peter

Review Charles Scott

11 Nov 2013

Very spooky -- but Good Triumphs In The End. Thank you for another brain-stretching set of puzzles, Peter. Alas, I've now played all your excellent games: can we hope for any more?

Comment peter edwards

17 Sep 2013

Purely a cosmetic update - don't bother to re-download if you've started a game!

Comment peter edwards

02 Jul 2013

Sunbeam,
Feel around, then lift lid. then go out.
Ask again if you need more help.
Good luck!

Comment sunbeam133

02 Jul 2013

I need some help in the beginning

Comment sunbeam133

28 Jun 2013

I only got Curse on me

Comment sunbeam133

28 Jun 2013

It seems very confusing

Review Nikola1

16 May 2013

An amazing game. I specifically liked the subtle, yet quite overt hints. Although, I have to admit, I am not accustomed to sounds in a MUD, so I jumped a little at that vampire-appearing scene :D

Anyway, great game, and thanks for the tip.

Comment peter edwards

15 May 2013

Dreadpool,
Afraid you missed something in the chest! There was more there than the coin. Examine the bottom of the chest. You know how to get there and back.
Tell me if you need more help.
Cheers

Comment Nikola1

15 May 2013

Okay, so I got through the cemetery. Got bread, the spider, the coin and somesuch, but I can't figure out what to do next! The earthworm can't be taken apparently - not that I can see any use for it either way. I still cant figure out what the knight engraving or the letters on the white cloth mean, and well, basically - I'm stuck. There's apparently something I didn't notice, I just can't figure out what. Help would be greatly appreciated.

Comment peter edwards

07 Feb 2013

Before venturing outside, explore the belfry. There's a clue there!
Ask again if you need more clarification.

Comment Gosia

07 Feb 2013

I am stuck on the cemetery.
I got lost there repeatedly and the game has finished.
Could someone help me?

Comment peter edwards

06 Feb 2013

Hi Terri,
In each catacomb location, examine tunnel. A way will become clear in due course. Good luck!