Obscure: The Aftermath

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 22
  3. Negative: 4 out of 22
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. GamingExcellence
    80
    Aftermath is better suited to players who are new to the survival-horror series and want better odds of finishing the game with minimizing the feeling of helplessness and dread.
  2. PSX Extreme
    77
    There are plenty of little flaws here and there that are quite visible, but it doesn’t completely erase the atmospheric appeal and general fun factor.
  3. IGN
    75
    A surprisingly good game for only about twenty bucks. It's generally worth it for some fun co-op, great atmosphere and really beautiful music. Despite its problems, I enjoyed the overall experience.
  5. Games Master UK
    71
    Though not as convincing or polished as its peers, Obscure 2 is a decent survival horror with a bargain price. [Oct 2007, p.85]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    70
    Nightmarish, gut-wrenching, and frustrating, but still a tempting prospect as long as you're not looking for the next "Resident Evil 4." [Aug 2007, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Total Video Games
    70
    A relatively short gaming experience, ObsCure II is nonetheless an enjoyable sequel to one of 2004's lesser known sleeper hits. Perhaps it pays a bit too much homage to the teen horror movies at times, but it does offer a surprisingly solid experience...while it lasts.
  8. Cheat Code Central
    70
    It's not perfect, but it does offer some solid entertainment value despite some flaws.
  9. Gamers' Temple
    70
    The sequel to Obscure comes at us with some plausible scary environments and atmosphere but it is really not that much better than the first game.
  10. Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
    65
    It doesn’t have the quality of other survival horrors, including the original game, mostly because of its average visuals and clumsy gameplay. [Dec 2007]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. PSM3 Magazine UK
    61
    Shame the fighting's bum - collision detection is terrible, there's no sense of impact and shooting feels weedy. But we love the setting and the environments look lovely, with some nice lighting effects. [Oct 2007, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. Eurogamer
    60
    Obscure II also deserves credit for the slick way it handles co-op play - a feature that's still completely unique and exclusive to this series...But if you're only after the cream of the crop, then be aware that this isn't likely to be one for your Most Wanted list.
  13. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    60
    It's still spooky and largely enjoyable but it you're going to play it, do so alone. [Oct 2007, p.109]
    All this publication's reviews
  14. AceGamez
    60
    It's no Resident Evil, and if you're new to the genre then really that's the place to start, but ObsCure II does provide a few scares and there are far worse ways to spend a few hours on a dark, lonely night.
    All this publication's reviews
  15. Game Revolution
    58
    If you're a survival-horror fan, you could do worse than to try following a teenage romance story while battling mutated creatures generated from genetically unstable hallucinogenic pollen that multiply through an infection that spreads like an STD all set to the awesome sounds of the Boston string orchestra and Children's Choir.
  16. PTGamers
    55
    The second-rate technical department harmed the vision of its creators, with flawed combat and a sense of involvement that rarely succeeds.
  17. GameFocus
    51
    Meh. The single player is better than the 2 player. Unimpressed, but not running away in horror either.
  18. Play.tm
    50
    Silent Hill is consistently creepy, Resident Evil is absolutely action packed, while Obscure is undeniably unsure of itself.
  19. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    50
    Conversely, the dull sense of minor accomplishment upon completing the game isn't terribly satisfying. [Apr 2008, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews
  20. Console Gameworld
    45
    Even though it is supposed to appeal to die hard survival horror fans, most will find this game not only steals the best of their favorite games, but does it badly.
  21. Gaming Age
    42
    All together, Obscure: The Aftermath is a pretty bland survival horror experience.
  22. Play UK
    41
    It's as if Hydravision made a list of all that's tiresome about this genre then carefully made sure not one item on the list was left out of this game. Then added co-op to apologise for it. [Issue#157, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  23. GamesRadar+
    40
    Ugly, last-gen visuals further dampen the fear factor. Muddy textures and low poly counts cause scenery and monsters to blend together into a murky mess.

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Best PS2 Game of 2008
7
#7 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2008
18
#18 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 42
  3. Negative: 1 out of 42
  1. kk333
    May 26, 2017
    9
    Not a big fan of horror games, maybe that's why liked this game despite it being having a low metascore rating. Also, I am sucker of co-opNot a big fan of horror games, maybe that's why liked this game despite it being having a low metascore rating. Also, I am sucker of co-op games, and loved completing this game with my brother. MUSIC IS AWESOME!… Full Review »
  2. TheCoz
    Apr 21, 2011
    7
    Not a scary game, though it wants to be. The story here is pretty dumb and gives you the feel of playing a brainless teen horror movie, whereNot a scary game, though it wants to be. The story here is pretty dumb and gives you the feel of playing a brainless teen horror movie, where a group of attractive young people get offed by whatever flavor of the month boogieman they've mustered (terribly written/acted dialogue). This time out it's pretty much Resident Evil with plant monsters. At first you may be slightly creeped out, but that will quickly change to just frustration.

    Enemy variety is limited but not terrible, the atmosphere is dark and dreary with plenty to look at. The Puzzles in the game are great, they seem rather intuitive but clever with no real help from the game. The real way this game shines is the fact that it can be played co-operatively. And I would suggest it because it becomes a much better experience that way. It can be hard to get used to the idea of 2 people on one screen and the camera is less than forgiving and will be the cause of a lot of your deaths but it's the only survival horror game I can think of that offers this mode and that sort of puts it in a league of its own.

    It is for that reason that I can recommend this game. It's not great, or polished and it WILL be frustrating but it's fun for you and a friend.    … Full Review »
  3. AkeemG
    Jul 28, 2009
    10
    Obscure:The aftermath was not better or worse than the first obscure game,I think that both games are equally great and I think that the Obscure:The aftermath was not better or worse than the first obscure game,I think that both games are equally great and I think that the Obscure series is far more scarier than any Resident Evil game could ever hope to be.If you had experienced the beginning of both obscure games then you definitely agree.The gretest complaint about this game is probably that it doesn't have any bonuses to unlock after completion,like special weapons or costumes but truthfuly that is what I like about this game because you don't have to worry about the hassel of doing special things,also there is no difficulty level to choose from(hooray)you just beat the game and be done with it just like a movie.Beside this game already have lots of cool weapons and the characters clothes are ok.My only problem with this game was the story,don't get me wrong the story was great but I just didn't like the way things turned out.I didn't like the story for this game because most of the characters from the prequel and the sequel had perished.I wish that this game had an alternate ending or a special edition that shows you what would have happened if kenny didn't become evil or if some of the characters from the prequel didn't die and they had joined the team.I love the fact that this game had two endings because the first endings because they show you that the story of part one was not completely over and the second ending leaves an opening for a third installment in the series.I hope that part three turns out to be a live action or cg movie.If it turns out to be a game that would be cool too.Obsure is just another great game that that has been underated,you will find that some if not most of the games that get an averege score somewhere between a 60 and a 79 on this website are actually a lot more better than some or most games that have higher scores.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »