Review by: Jordan Thomas
Published: May 10, 1998

Imagine, if you will for a moment cast aside the chains of skepticism…that the world is far less secure than it appears. Consider that each and every act of justice has an ethereal, though absolutely significant measure against the fate of the race. And of course, the darker half of the equation rings true; inky black marks of damnation are scrawled across our future for every rage-filled murder or unfaithful lover. The foreshadowed plotline contained in Of Light and Darkness: The Prophecy is about the nature of sin and the salvation of the human race. It is, decidedly, a more weighty story than one usually finds on a pressed plastic disc, or even a videotape. This is the dreamstuff of scripture and revelation, and though fictional, it engages the mind by probing moral issues closer to the spirit. Unfortunately, the gameplay, while initially stimulating, needs a great deal more to it, which I’ll explicate later.

Such strength of imaginative work went into this title, and deserves careful consideration. The story’s earthly birth begins in the present. But the cycle of sin and the dark lords of Gar Hob have been with us since the dawn of time — as familiar as the urge to strike down someone who angers us, or the pang of bitter longing one feels when the possessions or abilities of others are paraded in front of our faces. It is only now that the culmination of time’s moral events has gained enough momentum for the process of Judgment. And the manifestation of these occurrences has been seen through the eyes of an unlikely messiah — a visionary who shines from the depths of sin and whose fate plays an integral role in the prevention of the Apocalypse…or its realization.

Enter Angel Gemini, an exotic dancer, well accustomed to writhing naked on stage for men possessed by the demons of voyeuristic lust. One night, while caught in the rapture of the dance, she is struck with a vision as white light fills the room. She sees the end of all things, and knows that the world is diseased, burning with the horrible things that men and women do, when they think no one is watching. And she sees something in herself, in everyone. Something dark…a man, of sorts. Someone named Gar Hob. Angel realizes that she has something to say to the world. People begin to listen…night after night, her followers swell in numbers and the word spreads. And then one fateful evening, everything comes crashing down. On stage, while the masses watch, she shoots her own lover. And as his blood falls, while the chaos ensues, she disappears.

Now, your role in this is somewhat different. You are the Chosen One, who must combat Gar Hob in an attempt to free Angel and prevent the Apocalypse. This conflict takes place in the wild psychoscape of the Village of the Damned. Here, Hob’s apparitions of past sinners plague you, and your function is to redeem them before the End. All throughout this process are strange, interjected clips of Hob (masterfully voice-acted by James Woods) speaking with the captive Angel (acted by Lolita Davidovich). Through their dialogue, you learn more of the manner of which she is imprisoned, and the nature of the coming Darkness that Hob intends to swallow the world in. This conversation itself is masterfully written and performed. These clips simply appear in your vision when a new location is found, and the unearthly beauty of their verbal dance is enchanting. In fact, they are by far the best thing about this game. The actors and artwork do credit to the story, where the playability does not.