************************************** Atmosfear: The Gatekeeper Guide ************************************** -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | Atmosfear: The Gatekeeper | | DVD | | Written by: Adam Boyle (Mario maniac) | | Last Update: 13/06/06 | | Version: Final | | Allowed For: GameFAQs, Well of Fears | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Hello there, maggots! I am your host for this evening. The Atmosfear board game series is great fun, and I reccomend you pick up a copy of The Gatekeeper when you find one. 49 minutes of fiendish fun with The Gatekeeper! This isn't going to be a usual FAQ, per sé -- seeing as this is a DVD board game, you can't actually use a controller to move around on-screen. Rather, all you need is a TV, a DVD player, a copy of The Gatekeeper and time. And a DVD remote too. If I miss out on any information later in the guide, or have made a mistake or two, please email me here: Slappy_5112@yahoo.com.au But if you do, make sure that the subject is titled "Atmosfear: The Gatekeeper guide", and please include what site you are reading the guide from in your email somewhere (Preferrably in the subject line). Shall we begin? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Table of Contents -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- XX) Table of Contents 01) Version History 02) What the Game is About 03) Characters - The Gatekeeper - Baron Samedi the Zombie - Anne de Chantraine the Witch - Countess Elizabeth Bathory the Vampire - Khufu the Mummy - Gevaudan the Werewolf - Helin the Poltergeist 04) The Realms 05) DVD + Atmosfear = Fun! 06) What Should be Included in the Package 07) How To Play 08) Thanks List 09) Email me 10) Frequently Asked Questions 11) The Atmosfear Series 12) Misc. 13) Disclaimer 14) Farewell, Maggots! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Version History -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 13.06.06 - Started FAQ Let's see how long it takes to get a completed FAQ. = ) 03.09.06 - Finished FAQ, sending it in to GameFAQs Wow! That took a rather long time for a short FAQ! >_> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- What is this game about? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- You are playing with 2-5 other people, trying to beat The Gatekeeper. He is the ruler of The Other Side, a realm where the abnormal is normal. Using one of the six "Harbingers", you must work your way around the Harbingers realms, finding keys and leaving your rivals behind in the dust. The Gatekeeper never intends to play nice, and he can choose to take away your keys or cards at will. Beware of the Black Hole, as it can get very difficult to get out of! Be sure to keep an eye on the others playing -- they may have a Fate Card up their sleeve that gives you the dreaded Black Key! Beat The Gatekeeper, and you will prove your worth to him once and for all. Or not. Moving on! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The Characters -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I would say "The Harbingers", but The Gatekeeper isn't considered a Harbinger. Alas, I shall now introduce you to the characters, and their real-life counterparts. Whee! Please note: Any game featuring "Nightmare" in the title is called Atmosfear in Europe. Name: The Gatekeeper Colour: Black Playing piece: The Well of Fears can be considered his piece Real-life: This particular Gatekeeper has never existed outside of the series. Although, there has been mythology about Gatekeepers before, all across the world. Appearances: Nightmare (1991) Nightmare III promo ad (1992, in Atmosfear II) Atmosfear: The Harbingers (1995) Atmosfear: The Harbingers rules (1995) Atmosfear: Booster Tape/s (1995) Atmosfear: The Third Dimension (1996) Atmosfear: The Gatekeeper (2004) The Future: If sales go well for the rest of the Atmosfear series, no doubt we will see several more board games featuring The Gatekeeper. There has also been talk about a movie, and even a videogame in the future! Just think of all the possibilities! Name: Baron Samedi Colour: Green Playing piece: Tophat Real-life: In South America, people of the Ghede clan worship the Lord of the dead, Baron Samedi. Using offerings like cow legs, people could contact the dead with his permission. Also, he appeared in 007: Live and Let Die, as the man who would just not die. Appearances: Nightmare II: Baron Samedi - Zombie (1992) Nightmare III promo ad (1992, in Atmosfear II) "Thrill Me" music video Atmosfear: The Harbingers rules (1995) The Future: If sales go well for Khufu and the rest of the Harbingers, we will definitely see him and his slave appearing on DVD. Though, it is highly doubtful that he will appear before Helin and Gevaudan. Name: Anne de Chantraine Colour: Orange Playing piece: Halloween pumpkin Real-life: Anne de Chantraine was convicted of witchcraft in the 1700s, and burnt at the stake in a small town in France. She was one of the first "witches" to be killed. Appearances: Nightmare III: Anne de Chantraine - Witch (1993) Nightmare III promo ad (1992, in Atmosfear II) "Thrill Me" music video Atmosfear: The Harbingers rules (1995) The Future: Anne will most definitely host a game (perhaps with an "apprentice"), after Khufu, Helin and Gevaudan. Maybe right after them, maybe not. But buy Atmosfear: Khufu and all of the future games, and we'll see her again eventually. Name: Countess Elizabeth Bathory Colour: Red Playing piece: Vampire bat Real-life: Elizabeth Bathory is considered to be the Countess Dracula in the real world. Born in Hungaria, she married at the age of 15 and became a Countess. When her husband went to war and died, she noticed she wasn't aging gracefully. The Countess' witch and alchemists only wanted to please her, and suggested drinking the blood of young virgin girls (and bathing in it on occasion). When she was eventually caught, she was sentenced to spend the rest of her days locked in a tiny room in her castle. Appearances: Nightmare IV: Countess Elizabeth Bathory - Vampire (1994) Atmosfear: The Harbingers rules (1995) The Future: My theory is that the Countess will either host the fifth DVD in the series, or the seventh. Her appearance has changed the most since the transition of VHS to DVD -- which sucks, considering. Name: Khufu Colour: Yellow Playing piece: Pharaoh/skeleton head Real-life: Khufu ruled Ancient Egypt during the fourth dynasty -- he was the twelfth ruler of that dynasty. He is known as a greedy tyrant, and quite a rich one at that. He has the biggest pyramid in Egypt, and it's located near the Sphynx! Unfortunately, his body was stolen from his tomb (as well as everything else), and nobody has seen him since. He could have been richer than Tutankhamen! Appearances: Nightmare V: Khufu - Mummy (Cancelled) Atmosfear: Khufu the Mummy (2006) The Future: After 11 years of waiting, Khufu was recently released in the UK. (Whuh? Why not Australia first, eh?) It's confirmed the character replacing him for this title is Medusa the Gorgon. Some people on The Well of Fears are thinking she may be the replacer for all the other Harbingers when they host, and she may get the final release in the DVD series! Joy! Oh yeah, I'll be writing a FAQ for Khufu in the near future, when I complete this FAQ and receive my copy from anyone. The publishers could even send me a copy... ^_^ (*hint hint*) Name: Helin Colour: Purple Playing piece: Toyblock pile Real-life: Helin was never real. Back in the VHS series, her name was spelt "Hellin" -- or "In Hell". It is unknown why the creators have changed the spelling. Appearances: None as of yet The Future: People have said for years that Gevaudan would be the direct sequel to Khufu -- but I have a hunch Helin will be released first. Rejoice! We will hopefully be seeing what Helin, Khufu and Gevaudan look like after all these years! Name: Gevaudan Colour: Blue Playing piece: Werewolf head Real-life: In France, there was a little town called Gévaudan. Hundreds of years ago, many people were killed by an unknown beast -- The Beast of Gévaudan. Common folklore suggests a hunter killed the beast, but nobody knows the real deal with this. The "beast" may just have been a particularly hungry wolf, or bear. Appearances: None as of yet The Future: Without a doubt, Gevaudan will be seeing either the next release, or the one without that. Can I hear a w00t-w00t? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The Realms -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Sometime during your play, The Gatekeeper may ask you to choose a location on the screen. You'll zoom straight to a Harbingers "realm" -- there is no real effect, but it does show you what their homes look like. Anne de Chantraine: Her "realm" is a witch's hut. You can hear a witch cackle, and you can see her cauldron, a pumpkin and a few potion bottles. A usual witch, unfortunately. Gevaudan: Its realm is basically a foggy forest. There's a full moon out, and I believe you can see its shadow. Helin: A ghost-child's room, complete with floating toys, broken window and haunted toyhouse. Quite eery, IMO. Elizabeth Bathory: Hers is quite possibly the strangest. It's a giant red hand with glowing fingernails sticking out of lava. The lava is swirling around it, and you can see thunder in the background. Maybe her lookout? Khufu: You're wandering around inside his pyramid! You see sarcophagus', hieroglyphics, statues and torches -- the usual. Next! Baron Samedi: Wait; nevermind. Bathory ain't got nothing on this zombie. His realm is a disco house -- there are neon walls, a disco ball, a pumpkin and dead trees! Oh, and spider-webs, too. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- DVD + Atmosfear = Fun! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Yeah, this game is on DVD. I'm sure games on your XBox or PS2 are pretty fun, and you'd rather not give this a chance. Bah humbug, I say! This game is so much fun, and the DVD extras make this a treat. While you can only really pick between six options when using the DVD remote, whatever you choose can really affect the game, and what The Gatekeeper says. A skeleton's hand is the cursor! Let's talk about the features: Choose your characters! ----------------------- Here, you must choose whether a certain Harbinger is in the game or not. Straight forward, really -- but you must say "Yes" at least three times in order to play. Pick a character! ----------------- Sounds like "Choose you characters!", but kinda different. All six Harbingers' faces are on the screen, and you must pick one. One Harbinger may have a key behind it, another may have nothing. Choose wisely! Pick a door, any door --------------------- If you pick a door, you may be rewarded with a key, or you can be warped to a different realm. Or you could have multiple bad things happen, like having to pick up the Black Key, or having to miss a few turns. Let's move realms! ------------------ All six realms are on screen. Even if you choose, say, Helin's realm, you may or may not be warped to her area. If you pick Helin's, you could still be taken to Khufu's! Though, sometimes nothing happens, and the game continues from The Gatekeeper's walkway. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- What Should be Included in this Package -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1 DVD Playing Board 156 cards (Fate and Time) Baron Samedi's piece Anne de Chantraine's piece Elizabeth Bathory's piece Khufu's piece Helin's piece Gevaudan's piece 6 Green keys 6 Red keys 6 Orange keys 6 Purple keys 6 Blue keys 6 Yellow keys 1 Black key 6 key racks Stickers numbered 1-6 (be careful, these come off the racks easily! >_>) 6 character cards Well of Fears Pencil and paper 2 die Rules -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- How To Play -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I'll try to cover this part to the best of my ability. Let's begin! Start the game by setting up the board, and choosing your Harbinger. Collect your character card and key rack, and place your characters playing piece on the board. From there, roll one dice -- whoever rolls the highest is "The Chosen One". The Gatekeeper does tell you to do this when you begin playing, but this way gives you a little more time. When everyone has written down a fear, and placed it in the Well of Fears, put the lid on and place the DVD into the DVD player. Do what you need to do to begin play, and watch the funky little intro. From there, listen to The Gatekeeper, and tell him which characters are in, and which are out. Now the game has begun -- the Chosen One must roll first, and the turns are taken in a clockwise direction. Pick up cards if The Gatekeeper tells you to, and move around the board in a clockwise direction. You must land on Key Slabs to receive a key from the realm you're in -- but try not to land on the Black Key slab. Once you have all six coloured keys, head to the Well of Fears. If you don't choose your fear, return to your headstone, and place the slip of paper back in the Well of Fears. Try again until you get your fear -- once you have, press "Menu", or "Title" on your DVD remote to see The Gatekeeper be very mad. You may have noticed different patterns on the board -- I shall explain them for you: The Black Hole -------------- It looks like a spiral shape. If you land here (or are forced to go here), you cannot move until you are allowed off the space. Here are some methods of escaping: - If you can roll your number on your next turn, you're released from the Black Hole. - The Gatekeeper can release you. - Use a Time or Fate card when you get the chance. - You have a key from your own realm (i.e. if you're Khufu and you have a Yellow Key, you can escape). Duelling -------- It looks like two swords clashing. If you land on one of these, and you and another person has a key each, you may duel him or her. Simply roll one dice each; the person who rolls the highest number wins. The winner may pick a key from the person -- but they're not allowed to see the colour. That may be your chance to get rid of the cursed Black Key! Of course, duelling is optional, and if The Gatekeeper comes on when you're about to duel, or in the middle of duelling, you must stop, and you cannot duel after he leaves again. Flight ------ It looks like a pair of wings. If you land here, you are allowed to fly over to any other Flight slab on the board. You don't have to move, of course. Fate ---- It looks like a skull. If you land here, pick up a Fate Card, and keep it until you use it. Time ---- It looks like a clock. If you land here, pick up a Time Card, and keep it until you use it. However, put it back if the time on the card has passed. Key --- It looks like a key. If you land here, pick up a key, even if you already have a key of that colour. Black Key --------- Try to avoid this space at all costs. If you land here, you must pick up the Black Key and keep it. If you have it, you cannot open the Well of Fears until you are rid of it. There are many ways to get rid of it: - Duel someone and lose, and see if they pick it. - If you have a Fate or Time card, use it. - If someone else lands on the Black Key slab, they will receive it. - The Gatekeeper may take it from you and give it to someone else. - If someone is on the same space as you, hand them the Key. If you are given the Key when you're right outside the Well of Fears, you must keep moving until you are rid of it, and then move back to it. Well, that's all for now. Let's finish up this FAQ! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thanks List -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Family and friends - Without them, I'd never be able to play Atmosfear! Phillip Tanner - For creating the series! Brett Clements - For creating the series! Jim Harrison - For helping create this game! Karen Horne - For helping create this game! Baron Samedi - If he never "existed", we'd never have him! Anne de Chantraine - Her false legacy shall live on! Countess Elizabeth Bathory - Erm... lots of people were killed because of you, but you're still one top gal! Pharaoh Khufu - Can we just call this a wraps already? Pun intended. BTW, expect a FAQ/Guide for him soon! ; ) Gevaudan - I'm not convinced you were a werewolf in real life, but you certainly was not a bunny rabbit! Hellin/Helin - Let's just say I'm glad you were never real; I'd hate for any child (even those of the demonic breed) to suffer that much. The Gatekeeper - Boo! ... Medusa? - Nope, not yet. YOU - For reading this FAQ! : ) GameFAQs - For accepting this FAQ. The Well of Fears - For being as obsessed (or possessed, rather) as I am about the series. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Email Me -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Slappy_5112@yahoo.com.au But I warn you now -- do NOT send me emails asking me to let you put this Guide on your site. The Atmosfear FAQs I'm creating are for The Well of Fears and GameFAQs alone -- nobody else. Sorry, but that's my decision. Do not bother asking me for this, as you will receive no reply. But I DO welcome questions, comments and corrections! : ) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Frequently Asked Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- *) What's up with Medusa in the Special Thanks section? She'll be in Khufu, as a new Harbinger! Yay! *) I've heard that The Gatekeeper eats a cat in one section of the game. Eww, of course not. But the "no animals were harmed" part in the credits is kinda ominous... *) I've heard there's an expansion for this game. That's not a question. But there is, sort of. Khufu the Mummy is the sequel to the game, with it's own board and pieces. *) Did you make these questions up yourself? The ones with *'s next to them, yes. With numbers, no. Please email me with any questions you have about the game -- I'll reply to you via email, and put up the question and answer here as well. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The Atmosfear Series -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- In this section, I will tell you of the games in the Nightmare/Atmosfear series, and what year they were released. VHS Nightmare/Atmosfear (1991) Nightmare/Atmosfear II: Baron Samedi - Zombie (1992) Nightmare/Atmosfear III: Anne de Chantraine - Witch (1993) Nightmare/Atmosfear IV: Countess Elizabeth Bathory - Vampire (1994) Atmosfear: The Harbingers (1995) Atmosfear: The Soul Rangers (1996) Atmosfear: Booster Tape/s (1995) DVD Atmosfear: The Gatekeeper (2004) Atmosfear: Khufu the Mummy (2006) PC Atmosfear: The Third Dimension (1995) Other Atmosfear: The Card Game (1995) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Miscellaneous -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- This part of the FAQ is just little trivia about the series I'd like to share: 1) Hellin's name changed to Helin when she appeared on the DVD version. 2) Nightmare V: Khufu - Mummy was advertised in Nightmare IV, but was never released due to poor sales of Bathory. 3) There are t-shirt brands, jigsaw puzzles and even a song featuring Baron Samedi (and Anne de Chantraine for about one second) on the end of Nightmare IV. "Thrill Me!" is it's title. 4) Nightmare was called Atmosfear in Europe due to confusion with a similar boardgame called Knightmare. They changed it all to Atmosfear eventually because it was an easier choice. 5) In Nightmare II, Baron Samedi has an eyeball hanging out of his socket at the end of the game. In Atmosfear II, he has glassy eyes. 6) Atmosfear IV came with a set of 48 Chance cards, whilst Nightmare IV came with 96 Time cards. So Aussies and Americans missed out on a new set of Chance cards, but everywhere else missed out on an extra 48 Time cards! 7) Booster Tape 2 was only ever released in Australia. Europe and America only have the first Booster Tape. 8) Hellin is the only Harbinger (As of right now) to be entirely fictional. Try reading the two syllables in her name backwards, and you'll see why she was a great choice. I'm happy that she is fictional -- losing a child like that would be unbearable, even if she was a brat! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Disclaimer -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I'd just like to make a couple of things clear: 1) I make no money making this, and that I wrote it for the fact I enjoyed the game. The most I accept for this is praise. I DID NOT make this game, nor do I own the characters. I am simply a fan of the series. Nothing more, nothing less. 2) I will allow you to print this out if you wish, but PLEASE, no selling it or claiming it as your own. 3) No other places except GameFAQs or The Well of Fears is allowed to use this FAQ. Anyone who sends me an email asking to use this FAQ on another site will have that email deleted, without a reply. My decision is final. Please do not betray my trust. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Farewell, Maggots! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Well, that's it for now. The next FAQ you'll see me writing will be for 'Atmosfear: Khufu the Mummy'. Bye for now! : ) P.S. Go away!