Creeping Terror
- October 31, 2017
- Nikkatsu Corporation
An Exercise in apathy, neither solid nor liquid. Not exactly bad, but not very good either. Just a bit 'meh,' really.
"Creeping Terror" is a horror-survival game where players control Arisa, a high school girl who must escape from a terrifying monster in a creepy abandoned mansion. With limited resources, players must navigate through the mansion, solving puzzles and avoiding monsters to uncover its secrets and find a way out. The game features a unique animation style and a tension-filled atmosphere that will keep players on the edge of their seats.
Reviews
- The game successfully captures a creepy atmosphere reminiscent of classic horror titles, with good sound design and music that enhances tension.
- It offers multiple endings and exploration opportunities, making it a decent experience for fans of the genre.
- The graphics and art style are charming, providing a nostalgic feel that appeals to those familiar with the original Clock Tower game.
- The port from 3DS to PC is poorly executed, with a clunky interface and a dual-screen setup that feels outdated and awkward on modern systems.
- Gameplay is overly simplistic and lacks challenge, with minimal puzzles and mechanics that can become repetitive quickly.
- The story is underdeveloped and predictable, failing to engage players or provide a compelling narrative.
- story21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story of "Creeping Terror" is generally considered barebones and predictable, relying heavily on collectible files to flesh out its narrative. While it draws some inspiration from classic survival horror games like "Clock Tower," many players find it unengaging and reminiscent of a B-movie horror plot. Despite its simplicity, the game serves its purpose as a time-killer during quarantine, offering a standard horror experience without complex mechanics or deep investment in the storyline.
“The story was okay even if it was kind of predictable; the four endings you can get were nice.”
“- The story is only really fleshed out through the files, so it's quite important to try to actively collect them all.”
“Controlling protagonist Arisa, you explore a creepy mansion and an adjacent abandoned hospital while discovering their backstory, and also being chased by a guy with a shovel, a woman with a chandelier, and a dog.”
“The plot is barebone, with nothing really explained, but you do get some bits and pieces to piece together an interpretation. However, when compared to Clock Tower, it is pretty uninteresting and uninspiring; at least it does its job for a simple horror game.”
“It's telling when you finish a game and the first thing you think after beating it is: 'Ahh finally!' A thought that I couldn't help having after crossing the metaphorical finish line of Creeping Terror's story, and honestly, I don't even know why I bought this game looking now at the screenshots.”
“The game doesn't contain any real puzzles or complex hiding mechanics, and the plot itself is kind of like a B-movie horror. If that turns you off, then I say stay away.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a nostalgic homage to the original Clock Tower, featuring multiple endings and a simplistic hiding mechanic that lacks depth and creativity. While the sound design and graphics are praised for their charm and tension, the overall experience is deemed underwhelming, with repetitive mechanics and a lack of engaging puzzles, leading some players to feel that the game does not offer sufficient value for its duration.
“This game is a nice throwback to the original Clock Tower game, featuring multiple endings, a vague plot, and a hiding mechanic. Although it falls short in some aspects compared to the original, it generally does a good job capturing the essence of the genre.”
“It's a side-scrolling horror game with Clock Tower-esque hiding mechanics, providing a nostalgic experience for fans of the original.”
“The sound design and especially the music are great, creating a capable tension. The graphic style for a side-scroller is well-done and charming to look at, even if simplistic.”
“The moment-to-moment gameplay is also underwhelming, as after the first 20 minutes or so, you have played the whole game.”
“It isn't scary for anyone that regularly plays horror games, and the mechanics of the game get old.”
“The game doesn't contain any real puzzles or complex hiding mechanics, and the plot itself is kind of like a B-movie horror; if that turns you off, then I say stay away.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is consistently described as nice and spooky, effectively creating a horror ambiance that enhances the survival experience. Players appreciate the immersive audio, pleasant stylization, and engaging levels, which contribute to a compelling and creepy environment. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, drawing players into its eerie and intriguing world.
“The atmosphere in the game was nice and spooky.”
“With a nice and spooky atmosphere, nice levels, very good music, and interesting notes.”
“Incredible creepy atmosphere and immersive audio will keep you hooked, with a steady pace and uncomplicated progression, along with lots of story pieces to put together.”
“The protagonist's limited combat abilities create a horror atmosphere.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as charming and well-executed for a low-budget side-scroller, though they are simplistic and reminiscent of handheld visuals. While the art style and level design are appreciated, the character animations are criticized for being stilted and lacking fluidity, leading to a sense of disappointment, especially when compared to the original Clock Tower. Overall, the visuals are competent but do not fully leverage the capabilities of PC gaming.
“The graphic style for a side-scroller is well-done and charming to look at, even if simplistic.”
“The art style was nice and the levels were fun to explore.”
“The visuals of this game, while done on a budget, still have a certain charm that makes them enjoyable.”
“What was even the point of porting it to PC if PC players can expect the same visuals that a handheld system can render?”
“I won't rag on the visuals of this game too much as it appears to have been done on a budget, but the characters look like they've been animated in Flash and move very stilted.”
“The game's hiding mechanic is extremely barebones, with an even lazier single frame hiding animation.”
- music6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been praised for its ability to create tension and enhance the overall atmosphere, particularly during key moments like the final encounter with the shovel monster and the ending sequence. Reviewers noted that the sound design complements the charming yet simplistic graphics, contributing to a spooky ambiance that elevates the gameplay experience. Overall, the music stands out as one of the game's strongest elements, despite its low-budget production.
“The music was very good, especially the music when facing the shovel monster for the last time and the ending song.”
“With a nice and spooky atmosphere, nice levels, and very good music with interesting notes.”
“The sound design and especially the music are great, creating a capable tension.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by slapstick moments, particularly the protagonist's comical face-first landings, which some players find amusingly absurd, even if it borders on sadistic enjoyment. Overall, the humor is described as silly and entertaining, contributing to a lighthearted gaming experience.
“Mostly because she lands face first and doesn't brace herself with her arms at all. I also take no damage if I'm not being chased; maybe I'm a sadist, but I found it stupid funny.”