5 Days a Stranger (2003)

by Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw

Trilby is a gentleman thief. One night he breaks and enters the abandoned DeFoe Manor whose owners died recently. Soon he finds out that he is not alone in the house and all people who entered it before him became trapped - doors and windows won't open as if an unknown force doesn't let them to leave. Together, they must unravel mystery of the manor and escape, however not all will survive...

5 Days a Stranger is a traditional point'n'click adventure game, which later became one one of three games featuring Trilby and also first part of the series known as "Chzo Mythos". It won many AGS awards in 2003: for best game created with the AGS engine, best gameplay, best dialog scripting, best puzzles and best scripting.

Game has been ported to several languages: Finnish, German, Hungarian, Italian, Russian and Turkish. There were plans for 3D remake, announced by group of fans in 2007, but project was eventually cancelled.

Screenshots

Ratings

Downloads

• 5days.zip (1.26 MB)
  (Windows Executable)

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Discussion on our forums on 5 Days a Stranger

• Drasir-Vel on 17.02.2011:
  5 days a stranger is game about a burglar who is on a job of robbing the house of the deceased DeFoe family. But once he's gotten in he finds out that it's impossible to get out again..
  
  The special edition of the game which previously were given to people donating 5 dollars is now free. It includes music in the game and some extra stuff like an in-game interview of the author and the authors commentary track through the game.
  
  In my opinion, this is a game with a great story, that could get scary at some points. The music that played at specific scenes also add much to the atmosphere, even though it's some tracks also used in other games. It's still surprising how big a difference it does.
  
  Site: http://www.fullyramblomatic.com/5days/
  Made by Ben 'Yahtzee' Croshaw
  Year: 2003
  
  
  

  Get in, get the loot, get out... that's how it usually goes for master cat burglar Trilby. But after he breaks into the supposedly vacated country manor erstwhile of the aristocratic DeFoe family, he quickly finds that things are not that simple. Together with a group of strangers, he finds himself imprisoned by some invisible intelligence. A force prepared to do anything to keep them there. Up to and including murder...
  
  As the killings begin and suspicion threatens to tear the group apart, it's up to Trilby to unite his squabbling companions and destroy the supernatural entity that victimises them. But what exactly is it? What is the dark secret attached to DeFoe Manor? And what is the significance of the masked maniac who haunts their dreams?

  
  
  PS: Sorry for reposting something that's already mentioned. I didn't see that there already was a thread about this game before i wrote this post, but i didn't want to throw it away. The more the merrier

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• eMTe on 31.10.2007:
  5 Days still has somewhat cultish status for more amateurish half of adventure games creators. Featuring simplistic graphics and funny walking main character game was able to create spooky atmosphere and provide thrilling story. It became kinda a benchmark for all true amateurs without proper programming knowledge and high drawing skills - ie 99% of AGS community. Not the best game Ive played and not even in my top ** but hard to forget.

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• Chroelle on 30.10.2007:
  They have. Currently a 3D version of this game is in the making. Look in our "In Development" forum for further clues.
  I can also tell you that the Danish translation to 5 Days a stranger is done by Yours truelly and Scythe. You cannot find it on Yahtzees website currently but it should be there.

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• Chroelle on 04.12.2006:
  Please be aware that this is part of a trilogy:
  
  1. 5 days a stranger
  2. 7 Days a sceptic
  3. Trilbys notes
  
  They are all said to be excellent freeware games, so lets see if they wont all show up on this site.

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• eMTe on 16.06.2006:
  One of the best freeware adventure games ever made (however not without flaws) and one of the most atmospheric. You play the role of gentleman burglar who breaks into the old abandoned mansion and is trapped with other "guests", because somehow house doesnt let you escape.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Download link: http://curlysworldoffreeware.com/game_i ... ?gameid=37
  
  Download size: circa 1.2 Mb
  
  Author: Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw
  
  Release date: 2003
  
  Status: We have permission

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Comments

• Chroelle on 10.02.2010:
  Has anyone encountered a Danish translation of this. :)

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