CD-i conversion by: Philips Freeland Studio (Dorking, UK)
Published by: Philips Interactive Media, Virgin Interactive Entertainment
Original v.1.04 release: 1993
Published by: Philips Interactive Media, Virgin Interactive Entertainment
Original v.1.04 release: 1993
Release of v2.03: 1995
Genre: FMV Puzzles/horror
CD-i type: Digital Video on CD-i, DVC required
Catalogue: 8110040 (Europe), 8120083 (France), 8130105 (Germany), 8140076 (The Netherlands), 3106902522 (USA)
Releases: USA: Jewelcase version with slipcase. EU: Jewelcase version (1.04) in 1993, two-disc version including soundtrack CD. In 1995, Philips released a physical update (v2, version 2.03) that solved a compatibility issue with the new CD-i 4xx series (and with the smaller Digital Video Cartridge). This update was not released in USA. In Europe, the v2 discs were released in a Video CD jewelcase instead of a CD-i jewelcase. Otherwise, the version can be seen in the inner ring of the disc.
Emulator: Works in CD-i Emulator v0.53b5 including bios of gate-array DVC. (minor glitches at start)
![]()
Description from the developer:
A stunning interactive drama of mystery and intrigue… You don’t know you’re in the mansion of the long-gone master toy maker, but you do nkow that you’re not alone…
The 7th Guest on CD-i promises to keep you on the edge of your seat with a combination of vivid imagery, special effects and cinematic shocks. The 7th Guest features CD-i Digital Video, terrifyingly real virtual environments, haunted rooms to explore – complete with live actors – bizarre puzzles to solve, games to play and a chilling soundtrack.
Game Facts:
Genre: FMV Puzzles/horror
CD-i type: Digital Video on CD-i, DVC required
Catalogue: 8110040 (Europe), 8120083 (France), 8130105 (Germany), 8140076 (The Netherlands), 3106902522 (USA)
Releases: USA: Jewelcase version with slipcase. EU: Jewelcase version (1.04) in 1993, two-disc version including soundtrack CD. In 1995, Philips released a physical update (v2, version 2.03) that solved a compatibility issue with the new CD-i 4xx series (and with the smaller Digital Video Cartridge). This update was not released in USA. In Europe, the v2 discs were released in a Video CD jewelcase instead of a CD-i jewelcase. Otherwise, the version can be seen in the inner ring of the disc.
Emulator: Works in CD-i Emulator v0.53b5 including bios of gate-array DVC. (minor glitches at start)
A stunning interactive drama of mystery and intrigue… You don’t know you’re in the mansion of the long-gone master toy maker, but you do nkow that you’re not alone…
The 7th Guest on CD-i promises to keep you on the edge of your seat with a combination of vivid imagery, special effects and cinematic shocks. The 7th Guest features CD-i Digital Video, terrifyingly real virtual environments, haunted rooms to explore – complete with live actors – bizarre puzzles to solve, games to play and a chilling soundtrack.
Game Facts:
- The earliest and possibly rarest form of retail release of The 7th Guest would be the PC styled boxset.
- When the smaller DVC was released, Philips had to update the game because it crashed at the cake puzzle in the original version.
- The 7th Guest was originally licensed by Nintendo to be released on the upcoming SNES CD-ROM addon. Thanks to the (failed) partnership with Philips, The 7th Guest eventually popped up as an exclusive console release on CD-i.
- This version was completely handled by Philips internally.
Scene select: Save a game under the name “badger”. You can select the chattering teeth in one of the corners of the screen. Press an action button to see an overview of all scenes of the game to which you can jump instantaneously.
Review
On a dark & gloomy night, you've entered the mansion of Henry Stauf, toy maker & gothic recluse. Now... YOU'RE TRAPPED in this haunted palace of fear. Your only way out... solve the puzzles Stauf has placed around his lair, and discover the secret of Stauf Mansion. 7th Guest is a game of gothic horror & mystery. There are tons of puzzles, each varying in difficulty, but always challenging. The cake puzzle (shown right) is one of the more fun puzzles, since it has many ways to solve it. So there is always some elements of replay to them. On the graphics side, the georgeous imagery and dark & gothic look make the game enjoyable even for those just watching you play. The matting of the FMV actors over the CGI background is executed nicely, and enhances the dark feel of the mansion. Some scenes can be genuinely creepy, like this painting (shown left, gotta love an artist who really gets "into" his work.), but really nothing too gory is depicted.
Still, its reccomended that young children not watch it. Some scenes can be REALLY intense. The music & sounds of the game greatly add to the creepy feel. Play the game in the dark, and you may just feel like you're there. A definite plus as well, is that the maker also provided the music tracks on a second disc. Now you can take them with you, and get the creeps where ever you go. The only complaint you may have against it, as with most games of this genre, is the lack of replay. While many of the puzzles do offer multiple ways to solve them, the story never changes. But, the story is so involving, you may find yourself just jumping right back in again right after solving it.
Copyright: Virgin Interactive Entertainment and Philips Interactive Media, 1993
![]()
