At first glance, you might think Clock Tower
is pretty standard fair - a point and click
graphical adventure. You'd be wrong. Yes, it
has everything you'd expect from a
PlayStation graphic adventure - a slow pace,
animated cut-scenes, and some voice acting
that is only marginally better than Resident
Evil's. But two things make this title one that
all gamers should check out. First, the
backstory, based on a Norwegian horror story
is better than most.
Second, ASCII has added a totally innovative
element to the game. As you progress
through the game (which has a number of
characters, with four or five endings per
character), trying to solve the mystery of the
"Scissorman" murders, you'll frequently
encounter Scissorman himself - a slumped
over mutant with a five foot long pair of
scissors - who is intent on killing you. (Of course, in the best horror
film
tradition, you're alone.)
Scissorman's arrival is preceded by ominous music, which helps create an
amazing sense of mood, as well as plenty of nervous anticipation. When
he
finally arrives, you can try to run,or hit the panic button, which may
hide you
behind a convienient item, like a filing cabinet. He'll probably miss you
the
first time you hide somewhere, but not the second. Trust us, when you're
in a
dead corridor, near things you've hid behind before, and you hear the
Scissorman music, the intensity of the feeling generated cannot be
overstated.
The new play mechanic introduced by the presence of the wandering
Scissorman means that the experienceof playing Clock Tower is far more
intense and, to use an overused word, immersive than with other graphic
adventures, on PC or PlayStation. Even Resident Evil, with it's focus on
shooting things, can't deliver the creepy feeling Clock Tower does. The
slow
pace knocks off a star (as does the voice acting), but this innovative,
intriguing effort is well worth a look.
Alternate Uniform for Jennifer
Instead of going to Rick's
House in the second scenario, use Helen to go to the library in the
Second scenario. You
can do so by not asking Harris to show the statue to Rick in the first
scenario and making
the trip by yourself instead of asking Nolan to help you. When you arrive
at
the Barrow's Castle
in the third scenario, Jennifer will be wearing a different uniform.
Defeating the Hand
Defeating the Hand in
the servant's quarters is a two step process. After opening the desk, the
Hand will jump out and
strangle you. Hit the panic button repeatedly until it falls off on to
the floor.
Notice now that the
camera angle changes. Use your pointer and click on the ink pen on the
desk
to defeat the Hand.
Location of All 10 Hints
Hint# Person Scenario# Location
#1
Prof. Barton Prologue File Cabinet
Treatment Room
#2
Jennifer Scenario 1
left corner boxes
Storage Room (1F)
#3
Jennifer Scenario 1
to right of door
Women's Lounge (3F)
#4
Helen Scenario 1
on top of desk
Treatment Room (2F)
#5
Helen Scenario 1
on top of table
Student Office Room(2F)
#6
Nolan Scenario 2
on fireplace
Upstairs Living Room
#7
Helen Scenario 2
in Machine Room of
Library
#8
Gotts Scenario 2
in cabinet on left wall
Kitchen
#9
Jennifer Scenario 3
on table in the
Upstairs Living Room
#10
Helen Scenario 3
on bookshelf just left
of door in Chapel Library
Nolan's Scenario
This hint is only useful
if you are playing the scenario as Nolan. To finish the scenario, the first
thing
you should do is go
up stairs into the bedroom and look in the closet twice. The first time
will hint
at something being there,
the second time you will find the statue.
Then go into the kitchen
and look at the mask on the wall, this will confirm the location of the
Barrows mansion. After
the confirmation message, the mask will come alive. Use the vase on the
table and throw it at
the mask.
Finally, go to the laundry
room and get the powdered soap in the cabinet across from the washing
machine. Go back into
the living room and out the sliding glass door in back, toss the soap into
the
dogs eyes to escape.
Unlock Each Ending for Helen
These are the conditions that must be met to view each of Helen's endings.
1) You must save Jennifer
in the chapel, confirm the survival of Gotts, and go to Scissorman with
the Door Spell.
2) Let Jennifer be killed
(don't use the Fireplace Key!) or go to Scissorman without confirming
Gotts' survival.
3) Go to the Scissorman without the Door Spell.
4) Save Jennifer without the Door Spell.