The most interesting thing about Coffin Rock is how it shifts from Lazarus's search for the girl to the recent past where he's in the same area seeking out a party of Confederate raiders. You'll frequently black out after fighting ghosts in the woods and find yourself wearing the blue uniform and leading Union troops into the same woods. It's an eerie effect that works, yet becomes too predictable to ever become truly scary. But it is evocative of Ambrose Bierce's eerie Civil War Short Stories.

Where Coffin Rock falls apart a bit is in its interface. The view shifts as you wander around the beautiful maps, you can't control the camera, and sometimes it stops on an awkward view. This can be terminal when a ghost or wild dog appears and starts tearing at you. It also makes moving around the game a slow affair (even with the "always run" option on). Despite this, the game is extremely short and consists of far more exposition than actual play. Overall, the challenge is only slight and the ending is remarkably disappointing.

Horror games, particularly story-driven thoughtful horror games, are about as rare as can be on the PC. Coffin Rock is a triumph in that regard. It's also probably a must-have for any Blair Witch fanatic. It expands on the myth and tells the Coffin Rock story in a most interesting way. It may not scare you, and it may ultimately disappoint you, but it will get under your skin and entertain you until then. --Bob Andrews

Pros:

• Good graphics and great atmosphere
• Excellent sound
• Strong, unique, and clever storytelling

• Clumsy controls
• Too short
• Bad ending