Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Delaware St. John: Volume 3: The Seacliff Tragedy places you squarely in the shoes of paranormal investigator Delaware St. John and, for the first time in the series, his friend Kelly Bradford. You switch control between the two protagonists as you explore the abandoned Seacliff Amusement Park, each character offering unique perspectives on the unfolding mystery. This alternating viewpoint keeps the exploration fresh, as you uncover hidden areas and piece together clues from John’s intuitive visions and Kelly’s more grounded observations.

The core gameplay loop revolves around point-and-click exploration, item use, and light puzzle solving. Movement is straightforward—click to walk forward, back, left, or right—and the context-sensitive cursor highlights objects you can examine, pick up, or interact with. Inventory puzzles are sparse but cleverly integrated into the environment, requiring you to manage a small set of tools and relics. If you get stuck, the VIC (Voice/Imagery Communicator) allows you to request hints or analyze collected paranormal data, preventing long dead ends.

Encounters with the park’s malevolent Shadow People inject tension into the otherwise methodical pace. These sequences demand quick reflexes: you must shine your flashlight on the apparitions before they drain your character’s consciousness. Mistiming a click results in a short “death” cutscene, but you’re instantly restarted at the same spot. Performance is graded by how many times you blackout, but as this metric doesn’t alter the narrative, it feels more like an optional challenge than a punishing mechanic.

Graphics

Seacliff Tragedy’s visuals rely heavily on pre-rendered still images, creating richly detailed backdrops that capture the eerie atmosphere of an abandoned amusement park. From the rusting roller coaster cars to the peeling paint on carnival stalls, each screen is meticulously crafted to convey decay and mystery. The static environments encourage careful observation, rewarding players who take the time to pan and examine every corner for hidden clues.

Occasional 3D cut-scenes in third-person view provide dynamic storytelling moments, breaking up the static exploration with fluid camera movements and more expressive character animations. While the character models can appear stiff compared to fully polygonal games, the cut-scenes heighten key revelations—like John’s harrowing vision of the park accident—by adding motion and cinematic framing to the narrative.

Lighting and color palettes play a crucial role in building tension. Dim corridors are bathed in flickering neon, while overgrown carnival rides loom in shadowy greens and purples. Subtle audio cues—dripping water, distant creaks, and echoing laughter—complement the visuals, ensuring that even motionless screens feel alive with unseen threats. This synergy of sound and image keeps you on edge, reinforcing the game’s paranormal theme.

Story

The Seacliff Tragedy picks up the overarching mythology of the Delaware St. John series while telling a self-contained tale set entirely within the haunted amusement park. John’s prophetic vision of a mass casualty event—where over a hundred guests were mysteriously killed—propels him and Kelly into the abandoned grounds. As they traverse this ghostly playground, they encounter spirits of victims and enigmatic characters, each revealing fragments of Seacliff’s dark past.

The narrative unfolds in two distinct acts: “Everyone Loves a Clown” and “The Protector.” The first act focuses on unraveling the clown-themed attractions and their connection to the deadly incident, while the second delves into John’s destiny as The Protector. Legend holds that he must confront The Destroyer and his spectral hunters. These shifting tones—from investigative thriller to metaphysical showdown—keep the story compelling and unpredictable.

Dialogue is delivered in full voiceovers, but without branching choices you experience a tightly scripted plot that moves at a deliberate pace. Conversations with Simon via the VIC device offer insight and occasional banter but don’t divert you from the main path. Overall, the story succeeds in blending classic ghost-story tropes with an unfolding mythos that will resonate with series veterans and newcomers alike.

Overall Experience

Delaware St. John: Volume 3: The Seacliff Tragedy is a thoughtfully paced adventure that prioritizes atmosphere and storytelling over action. If you enjoy methodical exploration, puzzle-light gameplay, and a strong paranormal narrative, this installment delivers exactly that. The ability to swap between two protagonists adds depth to the investigation, and the VIC system ensures you never feel completely stuck.

While the reliance on pre-rendered stills may feel dated to players accustomed to real-time 3D environments, the game’s art direction and sound design create a haunting ambiance that more than compensates. Occasional slow pacing can test patience, but fans of classic point-and-click adventures will appreciate the focus on narrative discovery rather than combat or twitch-based challenges.

Ultimately, The Seacliff Tragedy stands as a strong entry in the Delaware St. John saga. It deepens the series’ mythology, introduces controllable dual protagonists, and delivers a compelling ghost story within a decaying amusement park. For players seeking an immersive, story-driven experience with just enough interactivity to feel involved, this game is an engaging—and at times unsettling—journey into the paranormal.

Retro Replay Score

6/10