The characters that populate the town set an eerie tone for this game, including the local minister. Forget the traditional image of the neighborly preacher; this guy is closer to Rasputin. From his monk's robe and wild-eyed glare to his glowing, globe-topped staff, you really don't want to attend his Sunday services. Then there is Curly, the local tough with a sleazy girlfriend, overworked muscles, and an unchecked attitude. "Oh, don't mind him," drawls the ominous woman who runs the town diner, "He's just an excitable boy." Yes, Shady Brook is home to the largest collection of sinister oddballs this side of Tales From the Crypt. The analogy is close to home in other ways, as the story and characters are dark and adult. Eavesdrop and you might hear Curly and his girl deep into a lot more than romantic chitchat. The barber is a tough guy and has quite a selection of magazines, the kind you might keep stuffed under a mattress. This is also a horror story, and it has its fair share of mature plot twists and visceral images. There is an option to tone down this aspect of the game, but the more adult references suit the plot, and nothing is that offensive since the grainy graphics obscure much detail. Just be warned, the game has some mild adult overtones and instances of gore.