Released in 1992, Lure of the Temptress was the stunning debut of Revolution Software, the studio that would later give us Broken Sword. It introduced the world to the ambitious “Virtual Theatre” engine, a revolutionary system where non-player characters (NPCs) don’t just stand around waiting for the player; they live their own lives, wandering between rooms and performing tasks independently of your actions. You play as Diermot, a simple peasant caught in a political nightmare after being imprisoned by the Skorl—a race of dim-witted but brutal orc-like creatures serving the sorceress Selena.
The game is a masterclass in dark, atmospheric pixel art, set within the grim, occupied town of Turnvale. Unlike many point-and-click adventures of the era, it features a unique “Go to” and “Tell to” command system, allowing you to give complex instructions to your companion, Ratpouch. This cooperation is vital for distracting guards or solving multi-part environmental puzzles.
While the interface might feel vintage, the writing is sharp and the world feels remarkably reactive. It remains a foundational piece of adventure gaming history, blending high-fantasy stakes with a grounded, often humorous approach to escaping a magical tyranny.
Key Features
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Virtual Theatre Engine: NPCs move and act independently of the player’s presence.
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Atmospheric Pixel Art: Hand-painted backgrounds that capture a grim, medieval aesthetic.
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Innovative Command System: Use the “Tell to” menu to direct companions to perform tasks.
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Reactive World: Characters respond to your actions and the presence of other NPCs.
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Engaging Story: A classic tale of an underdog rising against a powerful enchantress.
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The “Ratpouch” Dynamic: Utilize your bumbling sidekick to solve complex diversions.
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Inventory Puzzles: Classic item-based logic that requires careful observation.
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No “Dead Ends”: Designed to be fairer than many contemporary 90s adventures.
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Iconic Score: Memorable MIDI music that enhances the tension of the occupied town.
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Pioneering Design: Established the storytelling foundation for the Broken Sword series.
System Requirements
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OS: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, or 11 (via ScummVM/DosBox).
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Processor: 1.0 GHz Processor or faster.
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Memory: 256 MB RAM.
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Graphics: Graphics card compatible with DirectX 9.0c.
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DirectX: Version 9.0c.
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Storage: 100 MB available space.
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Sound: Any basic Windows-compatible sound card.
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Input: Mouse and Keyboard.
