Beware of the Scissorman
By Paul Hunter
Clock Tower: Rewind marks a significant moment in gaming history, as it brings a classic survival horror experience to Western audiences for the first time. Developed by Wayforward and Limited Run Games, this game revives and enhances the original Clock Tower, which first launched in Japan in 1995. The original game is often credited as a pioneer of the survival horror genre, influencing countless titles that followed.
In Rewind, you step into the shoes of Jennifer Simpson, a young orphan who finds herself in a terrifying situation. After being adopted by the Barrows family, Jennifer soon discovers that she and her fellow orphans are in grave danger. A menacing psychopath known as Scissorman begins to hunt them down, forcing you to navigate the eerie Barrows mansion while evading capture. The premise is both chilling and engaging, setting the stage for a suspenseful adventure.
This new edition is based on Clock Tower: The First Fear, a remastered version of the original game released for the PlayStation in 1997. WayForward has taken great care to enhance the experience while preserving the essence of the original title. It features improved graphics, updated controls, and additional content that enriches the gameplay. Let's explore the haunting corridors of the Clock Tower mansion to help you decide if this classic horror title deserves a spot in your gaming library.
Clock Tower: Rewind's chilling narrative expertly blends suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. As the newly adopted Jennifer Simpson, your new home in the Barrows family home initially seems like a dream come true, offering a chance at a better life. However, the dream quickly turns into a nightmare when Jennifer and her fellow orphans begin to vanish one by one.
The atmosphere of dread is palpable as you navigate the eerie halls of the mansion, where every creak of the floorboards and flicker of the lights heightens your sense of unease. The mansion itself becomes a character in the story, filled with dark secrets, hidden passages and lurking dangers. You'll find yourself exploring every inch of its many rooms, each with its own haunting purpose that adds layers to the overall narrative.
One of the standout elements of the story is the relentless pursuit by the terrifying Scissorman. This menacing figure, armed with oversized scissors, aggresively hunts you—and you have very little options to fight back. You best option is to quickly find a room to hide in, whether that's jumping into a car or hiding under a bed, but if you get caught you can mash a button in an attempt to overpower him, but it warning: it rarely succeeds. The game cleverly uses scripted encounters and randomised elements, ensuring that each playthrough feels fresh and unpredictable.
Clock Tower also pays homage to its roots, drawing inspiration from classic horror films. Creator Hifumi Kono was heavily inspired by renowned directors like Dario Argento, especially his 1985 film Phenomena, and Clock Tower's narrative is infused with cinematic elements that evoke Argento's work. For example, the game’s pacing is meticulously designed, allowing moments of quiet exploration to contrast with intense chase sequences. And much like Phenomena, this is a story that not only entertains but also lingers in your mind long after the game is over.
The gameplay in Clock Tower: Rewind centres around navigating the haunted mansion using point-and-click mechanics. In each room you use a cursor to interact with various clues and objects, with key items getting added to your inventory. You'll have to use critical thinking to figure out the purpose of each item and where it can be used, so it's important to explore every nook and cranny for clues that can help you escape.
What's really neat though is that the game offers two modes: the original mode and the new Rewind mode. The original mode recreates the 1995 classic experience, previously only released in Japan, complete with new English translations. This mode allows you to appreciate the nostalgia of the original game with a few modern touches.
In contrast, the Rewind mode takes all the additional content from the 1997 The First Fear edition, which added new scares, more story, and even additional enemies. The enhancements also includes better controls and smoother movement mechanics for Jennifer, like being able to run on stairs, hide in new places, and even use a few weapons. But be warned, Scissorman can follow you into more rooms and hide in more places, so Rewind mode will keep you on your toes.
Clock Tower: Rewind not only revives a classic horror experience but also enhances its presentation with enhanced 2D art, a new animated opening and a vocal theme performed by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. The inclusion of animated cutscenes further enriches the storytelling. These scenes are styled like comic book panels, adding a unique visual flair and providing more context for the story.
For a game that originally released in 1995, it's impressive how detailed and expressive the character designs are, bringing Jennifer Simpson and other characters to life. Wayforward did a fantastic job porting the game, with environments that are richly detailed, including effective lighting and shadow effects. This clever use of light and shadow keeps you on edge, making exploration both thrilling and terrifying.
The sound design is equally impressive. The game features haunting sound effects that are the meticulously crafted to induce fear, like the creaking of stairs and the distant echoes of your footsteps. These ambient noises contribute to the overall tension, making every moment feel charged with potential danger.
Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Developer: WayForward, Limited Run Games, Human Entertainment
Publisher: WayForward
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Clock Tower: Rewind marks a significant moment in gaming history, as it brings a classic survival horror experience to Western audiences for the first time. Developed by Wayforward and Limited Run Games, this game revives and enhances the original Clock Tower, which first launched in Japan in 1995. The original game is often credited as a pioneer of the survival horror genre, influencing countless titles that followed.
In Rewind, you step into the shoes of Jennifer Simpson, a young orphan who finds herself in a terrifying situation. After being adopted by the Barrows family, Jennifer soon discovers that she and her fellow orphans are in grave danger. A menacing psychopath known as Scissorman begins to hunt them down, forcing you to navigate the eerie Barrows mansion while evading capture. The premise is both chilling and engaging, setting the stage for a suspenseful adventure.
This new edition is based on Clock Tower: The First Fear, a remastered version of the original game released for the PlayStation in 1997. WayForward has taken great care to enhance the experience while preserving the essence of the original title. It features improved graphics, updated controls, and additional content that enriches the gameplay. Let's explore the haunting corridors of the Clock Tower mansion to help you decide if this classic horror title deserves a spot in your gaming library.
Clock Tower: Rewind's chilling narrative expertly blends suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. As the newly adopted Jennifer Simpson, your new home in the Barrows family home initially seems like a dream come true, offering a chance at a better life. However, the dream quickly turns into a nightmare when Jennifer and her fellow orphans begin to vanish one by one.
The atmosphere of dread is palpable as you navigate the eerie halls of the mansion, where every creak of the floorboards and flicker of the lights heightens your sense of unease. The mansion itself becomes a character in the story, filled with dark secrets, hidden passages and lurking dangers. You'll find yourself exploring every inch of its many rooms, each with its own haunting purpose that adds layers to the overall narrative.
One of the standout elements of the story is the relentless pursuit by the terrifying Scissorman. This menacing figure, armed with oversized scissors, aggresively hunts you—and you have very little options to fight back. You best option is to quickly find a room to hide in, whether that's jumping into a car or hiding under a bed, but if you get caught you can mash a button in an attempt to overpower him, but it warning: it rarely succeeds. The game cleverly uses scripted encounters and randomised elements, ensuring that each playthrough feels fresh and unpredictable.
Clock Tower also pays homage to its roots, drawing inspiration from classic horror films. Creator Hifumi Kono was heavily inspired by renowned directors like Dario Argento, especially his 1985 film Phenomena, and Clock Tower's narrative is infused with cinematic elements that evoke Argento's work. For example, the game’s pacing is meticulously designed, allowing moments of quiet exploration to contrast with intense chase sequences. And much like Phenomena, this is a story that not only entertains but also lingers in your mind long after the game is over.
The gameplay in Clock Tower: Rewind centres around navigating the haunted mansion using point-and-click mechanics. In each room you use a cursor to interact with various clues and objects, with key items getting added to your inventory. You'll have to use critical thinking to figure out the purpose of each item and where it can be used, so it's important to explore every nook and cranny for clues that can help you escape.
What's really neat though is that the game offers two modes: the original mode and the new Rewind mode. The original mode recreates the 1995 classic experience, previously only released in Japan, complete with new English translations. This mode allows you to appreciate the nostalgia of the original game with a few modern touches.
In contrast, the Rewind mode takes all the additional content from the 1997 The First Fear edition, which added new scares, more story, and even additional enemies. The enhancements also includes better controls and smoother movement mechanics for Jennifer, like being able to run on stairs, hide in new places, and even use a few weapons. But be warned, Scissorman can follow you into more rooms and hide in more places, so Rewind mode will keep you on your toes.
Clock Tower: Rewind not only revives a classic horror experience but also enhances its presentation with enhanced 2D art, a new animated opening and a vocal theme performed by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. The inclusion of animated cutscenes further enriches the storytelling. These scenes are styled like comic book panels, adding a unique visual flair and providing more context for the story.
For a game that originally released in 1995, it's impressive how detailed and expressive the character designs are, bringing Jennifer Simpson and other characters to life. Wayforward did a fantastic job porting the game, with environments that are richly detailed, including effective lighting and shadow effects. This clever use of light and shadow keeps you on edge, making exploration both thrilling and terrifying.
The sound design is equally impressive. The game features haunting sound effects that are the meticulously crafted to induce fear, like the creaking of stairs and the distant echoes of your footsteps. These ambient noises contribute to the overall tension, making every moment feel charged with potential danger.
The Verdict
Clock Tower: Rewind is a cornerstone of the survival horror genre and it's awesome that it's finally been localized for Western audiences. The game stands out for its haunting atmosphere, and amazing attention to details, making the characters and mansion feel alive. The addition of the new Rewind mode, which adds new rooms, story details and refined controls makes this a must have for fans of retro horror.Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Clock Tower: Rewind details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: WayForward, Limited Run Games, Human Entertainment
Publisher: WayForward
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.