
Ignition Entertainment Ltd - Ignition Entertainment Ltd
Nintendo Wii
Release date: 2008-03-25
Video Game




OK, so I've been playing Res Evil 4, so I'm a little biased. But I've also been playing House of Dead and Res Evil Umbrella Chronicles, so I know a little bit about survival horror games that aren't so great. But Obscure is awful. It starts out so dark you can't even see what is there. I walked arond in circles for ten minutes trying to find a way out. Then you are suddenly flashed back to college and the whole scene becomes a drug induced blur. If you get motion sick from games at all, forget this one!
Lousy controls, horrible voice acting (made me feel like I was watching one of those teeny bop horror remakes), no fun.
This is a TWO player survival horror game. This sort of genre usually has awkward game-play for single player, so I wasn't expecting much from a two player rendition. I was pleasantly surprised! This game has one of the best implementations of a 3rd person camera angle view of any video game. The camera centers on one player at a time with that player controlling the pan and tilt. Camera control can be taken or given at any time. A power struggle didn't develop over the camera because this game has you working together as a team. This game isn't multiplayer so two people can happen to play at the same time, it's co-operative and you play the multiplayer because it's more enjoyable that way; it's social.
The Graphics are superb. Environments are highly detailed with terrific use of light. Flashlights actually illuminate rather than creating an opaque glow. The background doesn't turn into sudden jet black outside the flashlight beam. The game is very linear. Background ambiance such as people talking in other rooms and shadows of people cast on windows helps you forget that a little. There are many cut scenes, though the rag doll movements of characters are a blemish. The story is fast paced, unfortunately it's very short (10 hours of gameplay).
Some of the puzzles were good, some were lame, none were bad. There was some pointless Wiimote shaking, but it wasn't excessive.
Combat is challenging and not too frustrating. There was surprising depth despite the simplicity. In the woods, one of us fought while the other held the flashlight and roles quickly reversed when a monster snuck up from behind. Swinging left and right builds up a combo, but in tight areas, swinging up and down ensures that we aren't whacking each other in the back of the head. When a monster threw one of us off screen, we'd quickly switch camera controls to get back into the fight.
If you like horror games, Obscure is decent. If you also have a friend who likes horror games and will play it with you, then Obscure is a no-brainer, worthwhile buy.