The Clock Tower (and Haunting Ground) Series

Laevateinn

Head Researcher of Sirenduckology.
kiwifarms.net
Joined
Nov 26, 2014
DISCLAIMER: I AM ABOUT TO BE THE 'SPERG TO END ALL 'SPERGS, BECAUSE I LOVE THESE GAMES (WELL... THE FIRST TWO ANYWAY...). FEEL FREE TO POINT AND LAUGH AT ME IF YOU SO WISH.

So I've noticed that there's a fair amount of people here who are at least aware of the Clock Tower series. For those of you who don't know - it's a survival horror series that pre-dates the likes of Alone in the Dark or Resident Evil. Unlike most horror-themed games at that time, the first in theCT series was different in the sense that it literally required you to survive, rather than mowing down enemies with weapons.

I'll try to keep it brief - in a typical CT game, you play as a girl who, for whatever reason, is drawn into a rather nasty supernatural game of cat-and-mouse. As mentioned before, you're never given any weapons and must use your wit to survive. In addition to this, there are plenty of jumpscares littered around the game that can range from cheesy to making you jump out of your seat - the latter of which will probably be caused by your bestiary.

And what, pray tell, is your foe?

Ladies and Mentlegen, meet (the original) Scissorman:

latest


(Well actually his name is Bobby but that's the general name of characters like him so yeah).

This little twerp will do everything in his power to kill you, even hiding in places and jumping out at you when you get too curious to check every item in a room. If this guy pops up, then you'd better find somewhere to hide or something to trap him with, or otherwise say "good-bye" to all your internal organs!

So, with that said, for those of you who've played the games - what did you think of them? Do you have a favourite (or a least favourite)? Were they as scary to you as people often make them out to be? Talk to me, people!

As for myself? I love the first CT game the most, not because it's scary or anything, but more for its art style, characters and ideas. But I detest The Struggle Within because... well... just look it up for yourselves and you'll see what I mean. :P
 
I like the Clock Tower series. (Yes, even 3.) I wouldn't say the games are scary, but they're definitely unsettling and are a great addition to the survival horror genre.

Can we also mention Haunting Ground, since it's technically the 4th game?
 
Last edited:
I like the Clock Tower series. (Yes, even 3.) I wouldn't say the games are scary, but they're definitely unsettling and very well done in the creepy category.

Does Haunting Ground count, since it's technically the 4th game?

Yeah, I'd classify it as such. *goes off to change the title* I suppose I should mentioned CT's second spiritual successor, NightCry as well, seeing as people are very split down the middle about it. I personally think it looks promising and Scissorwalker's design is pretty horrifying, but I'm not as easily won over as I am with Yooka-Laylee.
 
I think people are being too hard on NightCry as well. It's still in development, give 'em a break.
 
Is NightCry the one with the hilarious death in a washing machine?
 
Trufax washing machines are legit deadly irl, but it doesn't make death by washing machine any less funny
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Laevateinn
Never played much of any of the games save for the first via emulator (and only for a few seconds because I couldn't read Japanese). One thing I found interesting is that the first game had a Windows 95 release.
*May as well thank TVTropes since I wouldn't of found the video.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: The Lone Wanderer
I love Haunting Ground! :heart-full: I did attempt to play Clock Tower: The First Fear on emulator but I can't get used to the point and click style. I completed most of Clock Tower 3, but I couldn't defeat the final boss. :heart-empty:
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Hummingbird
I haven't played any of the games (and probably never will since I get too invested in horror games), but I've seen walkthroughs of The First Fear and Clock Tower PS1, and a little bit of Clock Tower 2.

What's enjoyable about them is how they make you powerless compared to Scissorman, thus you have no choice but to either run and hide or find a clever way to trick him such as putting a bucket on his head when he's unaware (or my personal favorite, having him run out of a door and out of the Barrow's Castle in the PS1 game).

The game doesn't use a lot of grotesque imagery like how Silent Hill or Resident Evil did to scare you, but it's the psychological fear of being the prey to Scissorman's predator that makes the games pretty unsettling, or sometimes downright scary (even though the PS1 game has more ridiculous acting than the early Resident Evil games).

What's also unique about these games is all the endings you can get depending on your performance.
 
Found actual gameplay of the win95 version of Clocktower
 
I really want to play Haunting Ground, but my PS2 is dead, and the game has yet to get a digital release.

Even if I still had my PS2, from what I saw, sellers charge A LOT for it due to it being so rare.
 
  • Feels
Reactions: DeadwastePrime
there is one thing i give clock tower.
almost every horror movie in a house or building you have someone ask "why didn't that person just leave"
YOU CAN
you find the car, you can leave (iirc)
it makes sense
 
And even if you survive, you die again.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: c-no
I like this series a great deal myself, especially because of the fun facts I know of it. Originally, it was based on Phenomena/Creepers. Jennifer even looks like Jennifer Connelly from the movie.
 
I like this series a great deal myself, especially because of the fun facts I know of it. Originally, it was based on Phenomena/Creepers. Jennifer even looks like Jennifer Connelly from the movie.

And don't forget about the other Argento film Suspiria, without that film we wouldn't have the scene where Bobby kills Ann via crashing through the stained-glass window!
 
Back