News ID: 204
Date: 2013-06-25
Source: Sierra Chest
It seems that old man Cranston was not exactly your run-of-the-mill type millionaire. Exactly how he made is fortune is unknown (it appears he wasn't a man known for either scruples or morals). Before his untimely death, he had amassed an uncalculated fortune in jewels, gold and various other rare and expensive items. Cranston was aware of the fact he was dying. He had lived a life of excessive luxury, pleasure and sin, and knew that soon he would end up "paying the piper"! Being a greedy and covetous man, he figured that if he couldn't take it with him, no one would take it when he was gone. He hid his treasures throughout the mansion and property encompassing it.
Old man Cranston is now the "late" old man Cranston. Rumor has it that his disembodied spirit roams the estate guarding the hidden riches. You are placed in the deserted town of Coarsegold (smothered by Cranston's greed and plotting) and it is your goal to find the treasure so that the town may once again become the center of life for the thousands who once lived there. It won't be easy, and it won't be without its terrifying risks!
Cranston Manor is the fourth Hi-Res Adventure by On-Line Systems, designed by Harold DeWitz and Ken Williams. It was made after Hi-Res Adv. #0: Mission Asteroid. It was also the first Hi-Res Adventure that Roberta Williams was not involved with. She was also not involved with the development of Hi-Res Adv.#4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece, presumably because she was working on Hi-Res Adv.#5: Timezone, which would turn out to become the largest Sierra game for many years. Cranston Manor was first released in a black and white On-Line Systems folder, followed by the same folder in colors. It was also re-released as a SierraVenture title in a large folder.