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An "Obscure" Value

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: May 22, 2005
Author: Amazon User

"Obscure" is a slick, enjoyable survival horror game that compensates for its flaws with budget appeal and a high school setting that, while trite by now in the realm of Hollywood feature films, is virgin territory for a video game. Whether or not the setting and characters suit your tastes as a gamer is entirely another matter. Even so, most fans of the survival horror experience will find something to enjoy in "Obscure."

The storyline is a bit contrived and convoluted, ultimately boiling down to the usual illegal genetic experimentation. Predictably, this work results in horrific mutations and zombies that stalk the living. Oh well, at least the fact that all of this takes place within the confines of a high school sets it apart from all the other games recycling that premise. And like 1998's The Faculty, it's ultimately up to a ragtag band of grade schoolers to step up and save the day. Yes, definitely keep The Faculty in mind and see if you can't spot the similarities - the resemblance of the hoodlum character to said feature's Josh Hartnett being almost criminal. Despite the fact that the game's developers are French, the depiction of American high school students is not as offensive as it could have been save for a few misfires here and there, primarily each and every character's obsession with basketball.

Each of the five different characters represents a sort of high school archetype, such as the aforementioned hoodlum (easily the most likable of the gang), the jock (not as bad as it sounds), and the nerd (so irritating it's hard to convince yourself to take on his mantle). They have their own personal strengths and weaknesses, most of which make sense given the nature of their characters. For instance, the jock is the strongest of the bunch while the hoodlum can pick locks. When it comes down to gunplay, however, each and every one of the five is, perhaps disturbingly, quite adapt with a firearm to the point where it's hard to tell if any one is more qualified than another.

When all five characters are available, you can choose to play as one while a second computer-controlled companion joins you - switching back and forth between them is a snap. Unfortunately the rest of the game's interface is a chore. Switching between weapons in times of desperate need is maddening, as is using that first aid kit before you take a final, killer blow. Compensating for this, however, is a game that's fairly merciful in terms of its difficulty on the normal settings.

The game's environments are quite well done, if not very subtle. You've never seen a high school like this one - it looks more like an insane asylum that's been shut down for years than a place of study. Each room and location still has a functionality to it, though. None of them feel like they were designed by guys making a video game so much as guys trying to create a fairly convincing high school setting that just happens to serve as the backdrop for a video game, complete with horrific overtones. All in all, the ambience is perhaps the game's strongest quality.

The monsters in "Obscure" are the usual sort, for the most part, but a few of them do stand out (particularly the nasties that appear later on, very H.P. Lovecraft in appearance). In any case killing them is more interesting than it might have been thanks to some satisfying weapons and, more importantly, the use of real or artificial light. Light actually harms these creatures, so taping a high-powered torch to your pump action shotgun is a good way to even the odds. Each monster comes complete with its own shadowy field, however, and only the strongest beams can break through it, making said creatures particularly vulnerable to physical attacks for a short period of time. This element gives combat a little extra something.

The puzzles in "Obscure" are boilerplate for the genre - nothing really special or mind-bending is on display here. On top of this, the game is a fairly brief affair, so gamers looking for more to sink their teeth into may want to look elsewhere. However, one of the best features of "Obscure" is its budget price. Though it would have been a decent game at normal cost, the added bonus of paying less here equals getting more, and must be factored in to any review. In other words, "Obscure" doesn't break the mold, but it does what it does pretty well, complete with some impressive production values - and at this price, it's hard to go wrong if you've even a passing interest in the material.

(Note: Five stars on a curve given the budget price tag)

ObsCure - Could have been better

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: April 22, 2005
Author: Amazon User

The only thing you're likely to find new and exciting about this game is the concept. Simply, survival horror in a high school. Unfortunately, this game borrows so liberally from other games without offering anything new, you're better off skipping it altogether. You play one of five characters - all highschool students - meant to represent a cross-section of teen society. You have the jock (special ability: fast runner); the girl with the low rider jeans and exposed thong underwear (special ability: a fighter); the AV geek/detective (special ability: can tell you if there are items you missed in any room); the jock's smart sister (special ability: none, although apparently she gives good advice and can pick locks slowly); and the juvenile delinquent (special ability: can pick locks faster than the smart girl). The game looks okay, but it's difficult to tell since it's pretty much dark most of the time. This is only exaserbated by the camera controls (there are none) that seem to help heighten tension when you can't see anything around you. The monsters that you come up against are of the garden variety Resident Evil red ooze and big tongue sort. The story is pretty transparent and in no way interesting. It does have a few interesting puzzles, but since you'll most likely get frustrated by the constant backtracking you'll end up doing (due, in part, to the running around in the dark) you probably won't get much enjoyment out of the puzzles when you get to them.
It's a sloppy game, sloppier than my review. And since it borrows so heavily from the Resident Evil Outbreak games in gameplay and look (did I say borrows? Actually, it's more like holding it up at gunpoint) it gets old really fast. Maybe worth a rental, but it has no replay value, so a purchase would be discouraged.

Real Gamers listen to real gamers...........lol

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: March 11, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This game is great in everyway for a game that got it done with a low budget the game is more like resident evil not "Silent Hill" the game goes places resident evil hasnt even tried yet
the +'s
First off its really two players/the second player can just start with you whenever---also the game gives you much better/quicker character switch then Resident evil Zero
you can reload in game without pressing start
you can shoot while you walking/running etc.
the game is good for its price and its a game capcom needs to take notes from.........but if your going to buy any game research it check review and .......you know

SILENT HILL MEETS TEEN HORROR 6.75 OUT OF 10

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: December 03, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I like Obscure, because it feels like a Silent Hill game that's easier to work with. But, like Silent Hill, you will find yourself lost and confused when trying to get to another location, finding specific items, and the controls are kinda clunky like Silent Hill. Still, it is a very creepy game with some decent fun in it. The graphics look nice, it feels like a teen horror movie, the weapons are cool, the destruction of different items is pretty good, and it feels more interactive than Silent Hill. It has a decent music score as well. If you love Silent Hill, you'll like this game. If Silent Hill is too hard for you, then you won't like this game very much.

A cooperative monster game? Finally!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 24, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Yeah, it's got a crappy story and acting, but it's got alright controls, nice action, and cooperative play that ISN'T ONLINE! That's right, not everyone has high speed internet. If you know someone who can stand your presence enough to sit beside you and play a horror game, then get this game.

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