Ben Jordan
Overview
Ben Jordan: Paranormal Investigator is the main title of a planned series of 8 games made in AGS by Francisco "Grundislav" Gonzalez. To date, there have been 4 games released in the series, each game being a separate "case" investigated by Ben Jordan, the protagonist and player character. Each game features the main title and a subtitle, usually relating to the plot of the case. The series distinguishes itself from other games about paranormal investigating in that many of the paranormal phenomena are taken from real-life legends and folklore.
Plot
While each case in the series features a self-contained plot relating to the current investigation, the author has hinted that there is an overall story arc linking all the games together. Observant players may be able to pick out plot elements which play key roles in later games from the cases currently available.
- CAUTION:Spoilers Ahead
Case 1 - In Search of the Skunk-Ape
Ben's first case begins with him speaking on the phone to his disappointed mother about his recent decision to become a paranormal investigator. He is just about to give up his dream when he receives a phone call from a park ranger in the Florida Everglades, who tells him that a sasquatch-like creature known as the Skunk-Ape is suspected of causing several disappearances and murders. Desperate for a case, Ben agrees to go to the Everglades and investigate.
Upon arriving, a ranger named Ernie informs Ben that the ranger who called him has become the Skunk-Ape's most recent victim. After some initial interrogations and investigating, Ben meets a ranger named Rick who agrees to go out into the forest and camp out to see if they can find the Skunk-Ape. Ben finds the beast's lair and discovers several packets of cocaine hidden in a deep hole. He concludes that someone must be controlling the Skunk-Ape to guard their secret stash.
That night, Ben and Rick talk over the campfire and become friends. However, later on in the night Ben is woken by a noise and finds Rick about to shoot the Skunk-Ape. Rick reveals that he only wanted to find the Skunk-Ape for his own financial gain, and is promptly killed by the monster. Ben passes out, and awakens to find himself outside the cabin of Jed Johnson, the man controlling the Skunk-Ape via an electronic collar. Ben manages to run inside the cabin and interfere with the Skunk-Ape's control mechanism, causing Jed to be killed and the Skunk-Ape to return to the forest.
Case 2 - The Lost Galleon of the Salton Sea
In Ben's second case, he is called out to Dunesberg, California, a small town in the middle of the desert. A woman named Annie Roberts tells Ben that her husband George has gone off searching for something known as the Lost Galleon, and has not returned after two weeks. Ben sets out to find out more about the Lost Galleon and George.
Driving out to the Salton Sea, Ben finds several treasure hunters already there. Throuh his resourcefulness, Ben manages to locate the galleon and dives in to explore, but something in the water causes him to black out. When he wakes up, he finds himself in a cell with George Roberts, who tells him that the ghost of the captain is the one holding them captive. Ben and George manage to escape, then meet the ghost, who tells them they are trapped in the Galleon as his prisoners. However, Ben manages to create a "Spirit Box" which traps the ghost and forces it to transport them back to Dunesberg, where George is reunited with his wife.
Case 3 - The Sorceress of Smailholm Plot summary goes here
Case 4 - Horror at Number 50 Plot summary goes here
Characters
The Ben Jordan games have been praised for having strong character development, even in the earlier, shorter episodes. As of the third and fourth games, there have been several characters who have become important to the series.
- CAUTION:Spoilers Ahead
Ben Jordan Character summary goes here
Percival Quentin Jones Character summary goes here
Mary Blaine Character summary goes here
Simon Booth Character summary goes here
Alice Wilkins Character summary goes here
Credits
Francisco "Grundislav" Gonzalez - Writing, Art, Scripting
Andreas "Ghormak" Slotte - Music
Adam "DarkStalkey" Hay - Sound Effects (Case 4)
Berian "AGA" Williams - Additional Puzzle Design (Cases 1 & 2)
Edmundo "Netmonkey" Ruiz - GUI Assistance