Hollywood Monsters

About

Hollywood Monsters is a point-and-click adventure game from 1997 that follows two rival journalists competing to cover a wild Hollywood party for movie monsters. Sue Bergman and Ron Ashman, both vying for a major assignment at their L.A. newspaper, race to the mansion of producer Otto Hanover. The game blends witty dialogue, inventory puzzles, and a noirish tone as players navigate the chaotic event. Its gameplay leans into classic adventure mechanics, with environmental exploration and timed decisions driving the story forward. The iOS re-release in 2012 brought updated visuals and controls, making the 90s-era charm more accessible. The game stands out for its sharp writing and eccentric characters, which recall LucasArts titles like Grim Fandango. Though originally overlooked, it has since built a cult following, with retro gaming communities praising its blend of humor and mystery. The iOS version includes localizations in five languages and runs smoothly on modern devices. With a runtime of around 8-10 hours, it’s a brisk but memorable throwback for fans of point-and-click storytelling.

Storyline

Two journalists, Sue Bergman and Ron Ashman, are the protagonists of the game. The two work for a Los Angeles newspaper called The Quill but dislike each other and are bitter rivals. In the introductory scene we see the Quill editor telling Ron about a "Monsters' Ball"—a social event where all the Hollywood movie monsters have a big party at the mansion of Otto Hanover, a film producer. The editor stresses that The Quill must cover the event because it is too important to miss. Ron is not enthusiastic, but when Sue comes in Ron tells the editor how important it is that The Quill sends its best reporter and that he is the only one capable of accomplishing the task. This has the expected effect: Sue proclaims that she is the best journalist The Quill has and that there is no way Ron could do a decent job. Sue then proceeds to the Hanover mansion in her little sports car.