The Vampire Diaries is an Adventure Game released for the PC by HerInteractive in 1996.
In her small American town, Elena Gilbert is a high school student. One night, she goes to an exhibit in the recently opened Romanoff Art Gallery, while her younger sister is attacked by a mysterious assailant and has to be hospitalized. The circumstances of the attack are mysterious at first, but the girl's blood loss may indicate the presence of a vampire among the populace...
Tropes in the game include:
- The '90s: The game was produced in 1996, so the characters are all seen wearing the fashion and hairstyles of that time period.
- BigBad: Mikhail Romanoff, the art gallery owner, is a vampire and attacked Elena's younger sister.
- Big Damn Heroes: After Mikhail accosts Elena in the crypt and gives her a motive rant, Stefan rushes in to rescue her, but Mikhail shoves him into a stone wall and he passes out. Despite the botched rescue, this gives Elena an opening to perform the last actions to beat the game.
- Ending Theme: In one of the endings, a song named "Precious Life" plays over the credits.
- The Faceless: Elena's face is never seen on screen, only her back and red hair.
- I Hate You, Vampire Dad: Mikhail killed his own mother when she killed his potential romantic mate.
- I Love You, Vampire Son: During his motive rant, Mikhail explains his own mother turned him into a vampire to join her in eternity.
- Interactive Movie: Like some games of the same genre produced at the time, it was developed with live-action actors acting over a green screen.
- Kiss of the Vampire: In one of the endings, Elena declares she wants to be with Stefan forever, and he bites her in the neck.
- Made of Explodium: Elena does a ritual in the crypt to defeat Mikhail, burns an enchanted knife and the crypt explodes, signifying her victory.
- Multiple Endings: Elena Gilbert does survive Mikhail in the ending. The only difference lies in the last interaction with Stefan.
- Opening Theme: The opening screen plays a slow ballad-like song named "Close to You".
- Together in Death: As part of a puzzle, Elena has to reunite the ghost of Adelaide Chambers with her lover, a Union soldier.
- Willing Channeler: Elena's friend, Bonnie agrees to a ritual using runes. She channels a spirit named "Grandmother" that gives Elena instructions on how to banish the Big Bad.
