Reviewed: June 10, 2005
Reviewed by: Roger Cox

Publisher
DreamCatcher Interactive

Developer
MC2

Released: April 6, 2005
Genre: Adventure
Players: 1-2
ESRB: Mature

8
8
10
7
8.4

System Requirements

Obscure takes place in a haunted high school where five teenage students must figure out what’s going on and stay alive. Throughout their long ordeal in the school they come across some truly disturbing creatures that will test all of your survival abilities.

Obscure Features:

• Teen Horror Movie Setting. All characters and environments are inspired by recent movies and television shows such as “Scream,” “Buffy” and “The Faculty.”
• 5 playable characters - 5 lives. You are free to play as the character of your choice and change at any point throughout the game, unless one of them dies…
• Single or Team play. In solo mode, your teammates are controlled by A.I. In cooperative mode, a second player can take control of another student.
• Black Aura. Imminent dangers are visible on screen through real-time graphic changes (black aura), intensifying the players stress level.
• Total Freedom of Movement. Character movements are achieved through dynamic camera settings making it possible for players to shoot and move at the same time.
• Physical Interaction with the Environment. Elements in the environment react realistically to players’ actions intensifying the feeling of being immersed in a real world environment.
• Light as a Weapon. The presence of artificial or natural light sources increase the vulnerability of monsters and intensifies game play combat levels as players must combine conventional weapons with light for better results.
• Music by Sum 41 and Span.

Light power is essentially anything like a flash light or sunlight which can be let into the school by breaking windows. Most all of the creatures plaguing the high school are allergic to the sun like Vampires, in other words, it kills them. For the most part you will want to save as much ammunition as you can because a flashlight or window isn’t always as close as a good friend.

A good friend is always close by in Obscure where there are several characters that you can play as and several more that you'll find along your exploration. Throughout the game you are joined by one or more of these additional characters. You can command them to follow you, stay where they are, and help you. If don’t want any help then you can go about things on your own, but nothing beats having a friend close by our side or just having an extra character to control in case you die.

The controls on the other hand aren’t so great. After several hours of frustration I’ve come to the conclusion that although this game is playable with the keyboard alone, the investment of $20 for a PC controller is well worth it and one that will “save you” in the long run. Such is the curse of converting a console game to the PC.

The black aura effect is definitely the graphical highlight of the game. It’s done extremely well and in a way that somehow makes facing enemies feel more intense. For those of you who have never seen this done before an aura effect basically changes the way the environment looks. In Obscures case, the black aura effect quickly covers the area you are with a black/red combination lava like substance that moves and glows. It’s really neat to watch and something I’m surprised more games haven’t used.

Everything about the sound is great, from the excellent although creepy background music to the subtle screams from afar are done to perfection. Each one adds to the eerie atmosphere which is a big part of the Obscure experience.

The voice acting is very solid overall. The voices fit the characters in the game well except for one white guy who sounds and acts like a brother from the hood. I swear the voice actor is a black guy voicing a white character and that just doesn’t fit at all. Otherwise the voice acting is good if not a little corny at times.

Co-op modes have always been a favorite of mine because I love to play through games with friends. Obscure has a good cooperative mode, but nowhere near great. It’s entertaining for about an hour, maybe a little more. The problem is the lack of co-op puzzle requirements that force you and your partner to work together. It’s a difficult thing to do especially if it requires building a new version of the original to make this mode more enjoyable. I’m just impressed that it’s offered and entertaining for a game that carries such a small price tag.

The price of admission also offers you a very entertaining and scary adventure through a totally messed up high school. This is a large school with tons of areas to explore and unique puzzles to solve. Have fun playing with a variety of characters as you try to figure out what’s going on at Leafmore High.