Elvira II: The Jaws of Cerberus. (computer game) (evaluation)
by David Sears

As a horror movie queen, Elvira seems to encounter more than her share of problems. In this impressive sequel to the first Elvira adventure game, the demonic, three-headed Cerberus kidnaps our favorite delicate creature and makes off with her to a darksome location. As always, you job entails saving the day using your wits, a full complement of spells, and persistence.

Somewhere in the studios of Black Widow Productions, on one of three sound stages, you'll find the kidnapped Elvira. Whether she's prisoner within the traditionally haunted Victorian house, the spider-infested catacombs, or the foreboding graveyard, as her rescuer you can expect to encounter chilling special effects and surprises, including some decomposing corpses. Accolade intended Elvira II: The Jaws of Cerberus to out-shock and outcreep every other adventure game on the market and macabre sets and horrific, animated monsters engender an atmosphere of perfectly delightful dread.

As in the first game, you'll find the controls necessary to explore Elvira's world on screen at all times. New and notable, however, is a clever health icon in the shape of a human body that clearly indicates your character's status, including number of hit points per body part. This indicator becomes skeletal as you take damage. Eerie!

Better than a horror double feature, Elvira II: The Jaws of Cerberus will test the mettle of experienced adventures. And while Elvira herself of comic relief, this frightfest packs more gasps than laughs.