ObsCure

This is a review of the PC version. The cover makes claims that I want to start by addressing; yes, there is punk rock in this, but it's not very common to it(the effective and fitting score is, and that's a plus), and I really would not call this a "slasher"(unless the word can mean something other than flicks like the Friday the 13th, Scream and numerous other series). It makes sense to compare it to Resident Evil(that I've hardly played) and Silent Hill(that I swear by); I'd say that this especially takes inspiration from the latter, and learns from several of the handful of mistakes(and certainly doesn't feel like a clone or an inferior copy). The aiming system is excellent; it enables useful strafing and is one of the most dependable I've tried that didn't require a mouse or a substitute for one. That's fortunate, as you can't always see what you are firing at. This records notes and the like that you find(if not all of them). And this doesn't make you pause to access items. However, you are three presses of buttons away from any use, and I don't believe you can walk as you do(attempting so will cycle them). A "quick heal" key would have been pure gold. It being absent often leads to your demise. Other than that, this is really easy(though there are 3 difficulty settings). No puzzle(they tend to have a strong sense of logic to them) slowed me down(there aren't a lot of them, either), and it's short enough that one can complete it in a single day; two, tops. Doing so unlocks bonus stuff, a bit of which encourages you to replay, two music videos(Span and Sum 41) and a 3 min non-verbal BTS with footage at different stages of production. The final boss is cool, as is the fight against him. In fact, designs, and not merely of the enemies, is great. Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself. This takes place in a huge bitch of a high school(seriously, did they think that one is the size of a college?). After a jock(Kenny, who... runs; don't even think about quoting South Park) disappears there, his test-cheatin' best friend(Zeke from The Faculty(who clearly hasn't passed this level of education in half a dozen years... dude, shape up); all they changed for this was the name, here, he's Stan, and he picks locks), his tough squeeze(Ashley, who has superior combat skills), his caring sister(Shannon, who gives advice) and... uh, a wanna-be reporter, for some reason(Josh, who can tell you if there's anything left to pick up/solve in the current area) all stay after class to check it out. As they explore, questions come up, among them, "why has this apparently not at all happened before"(honestly, has no one thought of "hey, let's look for our buddy" before at this place?), and "how is it that the dark past of others going missing does not phase these kids in the slightest until it happens close to home?". With that said, the plot is engaging/original(if not necessarily compelling; it lacks fleshing out, in instances also background, expects us to be affected without much reason to) and delivers twists(if a little of the successful build-up does not get a pay-off), and there aren't many holes. It's about the same for the five aforementioned characters(and yes, you can activate the abilities I describe briefly in the parentheses). They aren't that distinguished(with that said, kudos on them "reacting" during this, and the performances aren't bad... and while I don't love the teenage-y dialog, it could be worse), and if they're particularly "likeable", it's because they're largely flat(and in extension of that, inoffensive; and we don't connect with them, nor them with one another), as this doesn't dare alienate the players... or cause drama, conflict. Well, part of the reason for the latter is that you get to choose who to be of them(and if you get at least one through the whole thing, you'll still win). You can select someone to follow you, as well(if they, or what you've got in your hands seem to vanish as you open a door, don't worry, it's only a glitch, they remain with you). The regular inventory is shared, and so is ammo. You have to arm each of them individually. There are orders to issue; follow, stay here, help(other than requesting hints from sis, I don't know that it's used at all) and "equip the next thing in your arsenal"(important, as they'd evidently sooner die than decide to switch to an appropriate one; it's faster than when you're doing it for the one you're currently taking on the role of). They're nice about covering you when you're busy with a riddle or breaking in. It all works well and is straightforward. You can have a second human being join in as the partner, on the same computer; I haven't tried, I imagine it must get messy, in that they can now walk off-screen from one another, and you can click F to toggle whom you are focusing on. The camera(that suddenly goes where you don't expect, and you're running the wrong way) is a third person perspective that doesn't always follow you; there are interesting angles at times. They actually redid the well-scripted in-engine cut-scenes with the various people(if they don't all make sense). The cinematography is good, and it's marvelous in the CGI ones, and those hold awesome reveals. Graphics are fairly impressive, if there could be more expression to the faces(and the physics of this need attention). The controls are close to spot-free, and allow you to direct a torch(got a flashlight, duct-tape and a pistol/shotgun? Combine 'em; bad-ass). There is plenty of disturbing content and bloody/gory violence in this, and the girls are sexualized(including up-skirt shots). Fun, exciting, intense, and with solid sound/atmosphere. With that said, too ambitious, doesn't take all the chances it could(should), and uneven. I recommend this to all fans of survival horror. 7/10