Preview The Last Half of Darkness: Shadows of the Servants Developer: WRF Studios Publisher: TBD Release Date: 2005 Platform: Preview by Randy Sluganski September 23, 2004

Shadows of the Servants is the sequel to the long-running The Last Half of Darkness. Long-running? Well, The Last Half of Darkness has been continually for sale for over 16 years now and its developer – William R. Fisher – keeps it fresh by continually updating each new version with state of the art technology.

Scheduled for a 2005 release, Shadows of the Servants follows the tribulations of Dr. Muretta, a young scientist and witchcraft scholar, who befriends a spider-monkey during one of her many trips to the Brazilian rain forest. The spider-monkey – named Jaja – has, unbeknownst to Dr. Muretta, been attacked and bitten by some strange, carnivorous primates.

Upon returning home to New Orleans with her new pet, Jaja turns violent and must be ‘put down’ by the doctor who then incinerates the once docile spider-monkey in the furnace.

Now – in the tradition of Stephen King’s Pet Semetary – Jaja has returned from the grave intent on haunting her former owner and all of Dr. Muretta’s attempts to exorcise Jaja’s spirit are unsuccessful and ultimately responsible for her death.

Now, her daughters, who have been twisted by their mother’s fixation on Jaja’s evil spirit, must face the madness that destroyed their mother and the solution may be hidden in an inaccessible laboratory. By utilizing a mixture of voodoo and science, it is now in your hands to continue Dr. Muretta’s work to destroy the evil spirits that have haunted her family for a generation.

Shadows of the Servants surely sounds promising and – if the screenshots are any indication – it drips of southern, voodoo atmosphere.

JA will have much more on this game as development continues, but for now make sure to visit the official website and take a look at the great game trailer.