Obscure

Obscure doesn't attempt to do anything different. Hydravision is comfortable with crafting a respectable survival horror game and Obscure fits that profile well.

The co-op mode is almost worth the price of admission alone, while the hidden bonuses you'll receive for beating the game add even more to its overall value. Just don't expect anything too enthralling when it comes to plot advancement or puzzle solving.

It's engaging but too short. It's pretty but not beautiful enough for its genre. Its gameplay is innovative but it doesn't function as well as it should. There's a lot to like here, but just as much to dislike.

There's no better fodder for the boneheaded premise of old-school RE... than the high school slasher flick, and ObsCure serves it up right. [May 2005, p.50]

It manages to stay close to the tried-and-true formula while implementing features such as a co-op mode that survival horror fans have yearned for since their first screams of terror.

The subject matter has been done before, but Obscure manages to keep it fresh.

The cheapness of the visuals and lack of convincing delivery from the voice actors ultimately knocks off a few marks, but on the whole it's a decent package that true aficionados of the genre will welcome as an interesting departure. ["Obscure"]

Like good frosting on a slightly stale cake. It's good and it's sweet at times, but it's awfully dry and hollow.

A solid survival horror game that takes the classic formula and adds a couple of cool innovations. It's more of an upgrade than an evolution, but the American high school setting feels fresh and is very well put together, with smooth graphics, a nice balance of shooting and exploration and a story that, while very generic, just about holds your attention.

It's very much like a video game equivalent of the teen-horror genre - whilst it does make you jump in places, it won't give you nightmares.

A passable horror survival game that brings one or two nice touches to the table but mostly follows old conventions of a genre that has moved on and evolved.

The fact that the characters are so annoying makes it quite enjoyable to see them meet their makers, but it's wise to protect them for as long as possible.

I think that the folks over at DreamCatcher may be on to something with the cool location and the introduction of multiplayer play, but the final end product left me wanting so much more.

For those who want a cheap horror fix for a weekend, Obscure is sure to fit the bill. Just don't expect anything outstanding and you might just enjoy yourself.

The graphics are purty, the control is decent, the voice acting isn't half bad, and the story's even pretty good. And two player co-op, come on! What more do you people want?

It's an average survival horror game without any real scares. Sure the controls are nice and there are a couple of minor surprises, but the game feels dated and imagine less.

Obscure is well worth playing all the way through, and if you can stomach the characters and their irritating forced American idiosyncrasies then this title could well be one of the best £20 price-tag games out there.

With none of the finesse displayed in the "Silent Hill" games and lacking in general atmosphere from the "Resident Evils" of this world, Obscure is a rental at best which is a shame as the developers could have been a little more imaginative and put some more meat into the game.

It's sloppy and mediocre all the way through.

Lives up to its name. It's competent enough as far as blatant rip-offs of the great-granddaddy of survival horror go, and the co-op mode certainly adds appeal, but so much has been cobbled together from remnants of other games that Obscure has no distinct identity of its own.

Many points where the puzzle design, level layout and management of the teens' special skills are just plain clumsy and almost unusable. [June 2005, p.127]

This ain't no "Resident Evil" or "Silent Hill" but it has its appeal. Where I think it goes wrong is with the story which just kind of falls to pieces later in the game.

Simply put, this isn't anywhere near as entertaining as any of the "Resident Evils" or "Silent Hills," but it's no "Blue Stinger," either.

Its story isn't as cool as it could've been and the lackluster monster design keeps it from matching "Resident Evil" and "Silent Hill's" intensity, but Obscure is a fairly enjoyable game that's worth picking up, especially for the price.

If more attention was paid to the actual mutant -fueled action, it could have been a heck of a lot of scary fun. Instead, it hardly elicits a goose bump. [June 2005, p.81]

Aside from the dynamic object interaction and music, the graphics and gameplay made me feel like I was back in high school, playing "Resident Evil 2" after doing my homework. But that was then, and this is now, and Obscure just doesn't make the grade.

Horror muted by brevity and flat atmosphere... Imitating teen-horror movies is a novel idea, but duplicating their running time and feeble horror leaves the game wanting. [Nov 2004, p.106]