The House of the Dead (series)
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The House of the Dead (abbreviated as HOTD) is a video game franchise, produced by Sega.
As of 2005, there are four House of the Dead games originating in video arcade format available. Gameplay elements range from branching paths to unlockable bonuses, and a storyline revealed through numerous cut scenes and "chapters."
Several spin-offs to the mainstream storyline have also been produced, as well as two films. In additon, select enemy characters appearing in the first two games were adapted into fully-articulated action figures by Palisade Toys, which cancelled the second toy line before street release due to limited returns from the first series.
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[edit] Main series
[edit] The House of the Dead (1996)
Main article: The House of the Dead (arcade game)
In 1998, the insane and disillusioned Dr. Curien plans to mobilize his armies of undead unto the unsuspecting populace. AMS agents Thomas Rogan and "G" are dispatched to his mansion to put a stop to the madman and rescue Sophie Richards.
[edit] The House of the Dead 2 (1998)
Main article: The House of the Dead 2
In 2000, the man behind the Curien Mansion case emerges to claim responsibilty. Fueled by his detest of humankind's complete lack of responsibility toward its assigned task, Goldman initiates an attack on Venice while his Emperor project develops.
[edit] The House of the Dead III (2002)
Main article: The House of the Dead III
In the post-apocalyptic world of 2019, Thomas Rogan and his team of commandos infiltrate the EFI Research Facility in hopes of finding the source of the planet's collapse. Losing contact with him, daughter Lisa Rogan and former partner "G" set out on a search and recover mission, unaware that what awaits them has ties to the distant past and the very genesis of the undead horde.
[edit] The House of the Dead 4 (2005)
Main article: The House of the Dead 4
Filling in the gap between the second and third games, veteran AMS agent James Taylor and newcomer Kate Green, investigating the Goldman Incident of 2000, are shocked to discover that the undead from three years prior have returned following a sudden earthquake. Intent on preventing a nuclear disaster, they must once again cross paths with the seemingly deceased Goldman.
[edit] Spin-off titles
[edit] The Typing of the Dead (2000)
Main article: The Typing of the Dead
[edit] The Typing of the Dead: Zombie Panic (2004)
Main article: The Typing of the Dead: Zombie Panic
[edit] The Pinball of the Dead
Main article: The Pinball of the Dead
[edit] Zombie Revenge (1999)
Main article: Zombie Revenge
[edit] Film adaptions
Main articles: House of the Dead (film), House of the Dead 2 (film)
In 2003, the first film, directed by Uwe Boll and produced by Brightlight Pictures, was released. Given limited theatrical release with the intent of becoming a cult film, it served as a loose prequel to the game, but received poor reviews and little box office return.
In 2004, a sequel to the first film was greenlit. The previous director was unable to direct the sequel due to commitments to his other films, and Michael Hurst was chosen to take his place.
As of 2006, another sequel was announced. Mindfire Entertainment co-founder Mark Altman has stated in discussions that "It's a completely different approach to the material than the first two films and I doubt it will even be called House of the Dead 3." [1]
[edit] Key terms
- AMS - A government organization dealing with paranormal activities. Their ranks form the protagonists of the series, but by 2019, the program has been disbanded.
- DBR Corporation - A business conglomerate headed by Goldman, which funds Dr. Curien's inhumane experiments.
- Pandora's Box - Taking its name from the relic of Greek mythology, this pyramidal structure in the Goldman Building courtyard is seen in the second installment, and is a major plot device in the fourth. It is the source of the undead and chaos in the latter, and houses Goldman's last evil, charged with testing humankind.
[edit] Themes and motifs of House of the Dead
- Gaia hypothesis - The notion of the world regulating the population of any given species is an inherent and recurring topic attributed to Goldman, who cites Man's original sin as vice against nature. Humankind has escaped the planet's regulatory system, causing it harm, and must therefore be reverted to its most basic state as to prevent its tampering with Earth.
- Hope - Fearing the uncertain future, Dr. Curien instigated the events of the series by beginning his research into the nature of life and death. The theme of hope is constant throughout the series, manifested in the AMS agents' determination to go on fighting despite inevitable confrontations, Lisa Rogan and Daniel Curien's willingness to move forward in life after the world collapse, and the presence of Pandora's Box.
- Sins of the father - Both Lisa Rogan and Daniel Curien are forced to accept the flaws in their respective parents. In Lisa's case, she comes to understand that she loves her father despite his priorities in work over family. In Daniel's case, he is left to live out the burden of his father's crime.
[edit] Trivia
- The bosses of the series are named after cards in the Major Arcana of tarot.
[edit] External links
- Sega's official Japanese The House of the Dead III page
- Sega's official Japanese The House of the Dead 4 page
