Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House
Mystery House was the first game Roberta and Ken Williams made together, and the first adventure game with graphics. In the late 1970s, Ken Williams discovered Colossal Cave Adventure and played through it with his wife Roberta. Roberta was disappointed by the lack of similar games, and decided to write her own. She convinced Ken to program it and start a business with her. Ken suggested adding graphics, which Roberta drew using a VersaWriter, an early graphics tablet. Mystery House was released for Apple II in May 1990, making it the first release for On-Line Systems, the company that would eventually become Sierra On-Line.
Mystery House begins with the player standing outside a mansion. Once you step inside, you’re locked in with seven other people. On the floor is a mysterious note explaining that valuable jewels are hidden in the house. As you explore, the others start turning up dead.
Mystery House was made public domain in 1987 for Sierra’s seventh anniversary, so it can be downloaded free from various sources. It’s also included in the Roberta Williams Anthology (1996) and King’s Quest Collection Series (1997), both of which can be purchased second-hand relatively inexpensively.
- Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House on the Internet Archive
Playable in most web browsers. - Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House on ScummVM
Available in English and French. Compatible with ScummVM or any Apple II emulator. - Mystery House Help on Sierra Help
Includes the manual, a walkthrough, and download that includes an emulator for Windows. - Virtual II emulator for Mac
An excellent Apple II emulator for Mac. - Mystery House on Wikipedia
- Notable gravediggers on Wikipedia
- Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House on MobyGames
Includes cover art and screenshots for various versions of the game.
Part 1
Tonight will be my first time playing Mystery House—the first game from Roberta and Ken Williams, the first graphical adventure game, and among the earliest horror video games! 🏠🪦💀
Part 2 (with bonus Hugo's House of Horrors)
My first playthrough of Mystery House continues! Last week I killed a guy for his shovel but we’re going to pretend that never happened. I think we know who the murderer is now? The real murderer I mean! Aside from me.