Return of the Phantom

Return of the Phantom
Developer(s)	MicroProse
Publisher(s)	MicroProse
Platform(s)	MS-DOS
Release	1993
Genre(s)	Adventure game
Mode(s)	Single-player

Return of the Phantom is a "point-and-click" style graphic animated adventure developed and published by MicroProse in 1993. It was produced by Matt Gruson and designed/written by future James Bond novelist Raymond Benson.

The game was the second graphical adventure game developed by MicroProse, following Rex Nebular and preceding Dragonsphere. It was developed using the MicroProse Adventure Development system, and made use of 256-colour graphics.

Plot Summary

The plot is centered around a modern-day production of Don Juan Triumphant, during which the Phantom cuts the chandelier and kills many of the audience members. The player takes the role of Raoul Montand, a detective from the Surete; he comes to investigate, and encounters the leading actress of the show, Christine Florent. Christine has received a note from the Phantom which said, "Beware! I have returned to seek my revenge for leaving me to die in loneliness and solitude. Not even your lover can save you now!- O.G." Then, after some exploring, Christine is strangled by the Phantom. Raoul goes to the catwalk where the Phantom appears and pushes him off the edge. Then, he awakens to find himself transported back in time to the late 19th century, during the era of the original Phantom.

After a great deal of work and exploring, Raoul enters the Phantom's lair and rescues Christine Daae, but the Phantom appears once more and re-captures Christine. Raoul climbs to the chandelier and does battle with the Phantom, eventually causing the chandelier to fall and kill both men. Raoul awakens back in his own time, where none of the events related to the Phantom seem to have taken place, but before the credits begin the Phantom's shadow is seen behind him.

Characters

• Raoul Montand: The player character; an investigator of the French Secret Police: The Surete.
• Christine Florent: The present opera star; somehow connected with Christine Daae.
• Christine Daae: A simple-minded girl from Sweden; the woman whom the Phantom loves.
• Monsieur Brie: The present opera manager.
• Monsieur Richard: Opera manager of the past.
• Madame Giry: The Phantom's box-keeper; knows that Raoul is from the future.
• Jacques: A man who knows a great deal about the Phantom; is eventually killed.
• Julie Giry: A descendant of Madame Giry who also knows about the Phantom.
• Charles: Present stage master, effeminate and, apparently, openly gay.
• Edgar Degas: An artist interested in painting pictures of ballerinas; somehow knows that Raoul is from the future.
• Erik, the Phantom of the Opera: The main antagonist throughout the entire game.

Reception

In general, the game received mostly positive reviews, although it should be noted that there was negative feedback about the length of the game, the labyrinth leading to the Phantom's lair was too complicated, and the plot was too drawn out.

Notes

Erik's deformity was very similar to the book with several changes. Likenesses to the book includes: lack of a nose, skin with a yellowish tone, almost no hair, and sunken in eyes. Differences from the book include: a red membrane over his right eye, and small spines protruding from the right side of his face.