Daria's Inferno is a 2000 PC computer game developed by Hypnotix and published by Simon & Schuster Interactive based on the MTV TV series Daria. Players control the character Daria Morgendorffer through the fictional town of Lawndale. Characters in the game are voiced by the same voice actors as on the TV show.
Plot[]
Daria confronts Ms. Li (Four Fat Chicks screencap)
Modeled vaguely after "The Inferno" by Dante (part of the larger work "The Divine Comedy"), the plot of the game features Daria falling asleep in class and going through a bizarre dream sequence, wherein she has ended up trapped in Hell and must locate objects for Lawndale High principal Angela Li in order to escape eternal detention in the netherworld. "An eternity in hell or back to English class. Choices, choices!"
Gameplay[]
The game uses third-person perspective and consists of five levels: The Circles of Hell are as follows: Lawndale High, The Mall, Dega Street, Daria's House and Family, and Ms Li's Dread Dungeon. Each level contains mazes to navigate as well as inventory-based puzzles. The graphics are styled in the same cartoon manner as the TV show. The game provides hints for what to do in the form of Sick, Sad World clips, and special Alter Egos appear during the game's end credits. You, as Daria, have to find the solution for various obstacles and puzzles. The game is non-violent, though collisions with 'enemy' characters will irritate Daria and once her "irritation meter" is exceeded she returns to the start of a level.
The game grounds itself quite comprehensively in the world of the show. Many characters from the series make an appearance, even very minor ones such as Artie and Travis, and most are voiced by their original voice actors. Daria herself keeps up a constant stream of sarcastic jokes and comments throughout the game. Lines by the characters are also used at the corporate credits during loading and when you select an option ("Like they did something special," sniffs Sandi Griffin when you hold your cursor over "Credits").
Trivia[]
- The game's title is a reference to the classic poem Dante's Inferno.
- The game was written by Peter Elwell, the writer of five episodes from Season 3, Season 4, and Season 5 of the show.
- A full-length version of You're Standing On My Neck by Splendora is used for the credits. It marks the only time that the full version of the song has ever been released in any format, as the eventual digital platform release of the song contained the standard version used in the TV series.
- The game is no longer in print. Due to its age, it will work only work on modern computers if the Display settings are reduced.
External Links[]
"Daria's Inferno" Extras[]
- "Daria's Inferno" Game Manual
- "Daria's Inferno" screencaps, quotes, and song lyrics on Glitter Berries
- "Daria's Inferno" novelization at Outpost Daria, by CF (via Wayback Machine)