Obscure

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Obscure is a horror action game that offers both single-player and local multi-player modes with split screen. Players control a group of students trying to unravel the mysterious happenings at their high school, including unexplained disappearances and terrifying sounds. With a fabulous story, great mechanics, good graphics, stunning music, plenty of humor, and a dense atmosphere, Obscure promises to be a very replayable and exciting survival horror experience.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 823 reviews

story86 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

Engaging story with a nostalgic high school horror vibe reminiscent of 90s films.
Great co-op gameplay that allows for character switching and unique abilities.
Solid atmosphere and sound design, with a unique soundtrack that enhances the experience.

Clunky controls and fixed camera angles can lead to frustrating gameplay moments.
AI companions can be unhelpful and may hinder progress during combat.
The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 4-6 hours.

story
216 mentions
40 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story of "Obscure" is often described as a campy homage to classic teen horror films, featuring predictable plot twists and one-dimensional characters. While some players appreciate its nostalgic charm and engaging gameplay, many criticize the narrative for being shallow and filled with clichés. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative, making it enjoyable for those who embrace its cheesy, B-movie aesthetic.
- “The storyline is gripping, filled with twists and turns that make it hard to put down the controller.”
- “Its nostalgic feel, compelling storyline, and immersive gameplay make it a timeless classic.”
- “The story is simple but exciting.”
- “The story is really bare bones, and every twist was foreseeable, but the way the character system works as well as how the game plays in general makes it really good.”
- “The dialogue is not the best; the script and story struggle to make sense at times, but all in all - this game has soul, don't miss it.”
- “The story isn't a focal point of this game; it is largely forgettable and cheesy, to say the least.”
gameplay
192 mentions
29 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Obscure" is a blend of classic survival horror mechanics reminiscent of early Resident Evil and Silent Hill games, featuring fixed camera angles, character switching, and cooperative elements. While some mechanics, like the use of light to combat darkness, are innovative for its time, the overall experience is marred by clunky controls and a dated inventory system. Despite its shortcomings, the game offers engaging puzzles and a nostalgic atmosphere that appeals to fans of the genre.
- “One of the standout features of 'The Obscure' is its gameplay mechanics.”
- “Its nostalgic feel, compelling storyline, and immersive gameplay make it a timeless classic.”
- “The gameplay consists of chill puzzles and fast-and-loose combat.”
- “The gameplay is extremely dated and annoying, especially the inventory system.”
- “The usual tension that survival horror is supposed to thrive on is never really present after the first 20 minutes of gameplay, which is why it's a blessing it's such a short experience.”
- “The controls are horribly clunky and the game does take a while getting used to, but it is a hidden gem that fans of cheesy horror games will enjoy quite wholeheartedly.”
music
145 mentions
31 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and haunting qualities, effectively enhancing the horror experience with a unique blend of orchestral and choral elements. However, many players express disappointment over the removal of iconic licensed tracks, particularly from Sum 41, which detracts from the nostalgia and overall impact of the soundtrack. While some find the music overwhelming or mismatched at times, the general consensus is that it remains one of the game's standout features, contributing significantly to its eerie ambiance.
- “One of the strongest points of the game is its unique soundtrack.”
- “The visual style, combined with the haunting soundtrack, perfectly captures the essence of early 2000s horror.”
- “The soundtrack features orchestral suites with a strong emphasis on choir.”
- “The music feels like a complete mismatch with what's going on the screen (seriously, it goes hard).”
- “Some of the original soundtrack has been removed, likely due to licensing issues.”
- “The soundtrack just feels off for this game and really relinquishes any ambient horror that could have been established with an appropriate score.”
graphics
95 mentions
26 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, reflecting its 2004 release, yet many players feel they have aged surprisingly well, maintaining a decent quality for a PS2-era title. While some critiques highlight the outdated visuals and small text size, the overall atmosphere, art style, and environmental storytelling are praised for enhancing the eerie experience. Players who appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic of early 2000s horror games are likely to find the graphics acceptable and even enjoyable.
- “The graphics and sound design are top-notch for its time, contributing significantly to the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere.”
- “The environmental story is really impressive, and the overall graphics look sharp.”
- “Despite being such an older game, I thought the graphics and style held up exceptionally well.”
- “Graphically speaking, it's ugly, but I think it has aged well and the general atmosphere is still pretty creepy.”
- “Graphically, this game did not age well, I'll just say that.”
- “The graphics are obviously dated now, and it takes a few minutes to 'get into' the game, especially the combat, but once you've acclimated it gels quite nicely.”
atmosphere
76 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, reminiscent of early 2000s horror films, particularly "The Faculty." Players appreciate the combination of well-designed environments, chilling soundtracks, and a sense of mystery that keeps them engaged, despite some criticisms regarding outdated graphics and voice acting. Overall, the game successfully creates a tense and haunting atmosphere that enhances the horror experience, making it a notable entry in the genre.
- “The game excels in creating a tense and atmospheric environment that keeps players on the edge of their seats.”
- “The graphics and sound design are top-notch for its time, contributing significantly to the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is really creepy with many locations giving a haunting feeling of dread.”
- “Graphically speaking, it's ugly, but I think it has aged well and the general atmosphere is still pretty creepy.”
- “But even then, it is often too loud, and the atmosphere never rises above serviceable, owing to some decent environmental detail and real-time lighting for the time, but a shallow story that spoils its mystery far too early and features bad but bland voice acting.”
- “Although I wouldn’t consider the game scary in the least, the awful voice acting and inappropriate music take away from any horror aesthetic the game has going; I’d say the game has more of a spooky atmosphere rather than being outright frightening.”
replayability
22 mentions
41 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability due to unlockable content, special modes, and character variations that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some players note a short initial playtime and a bare story, the presence of extra challenges and co-op options enhances the replay value significantly. However, a few reviews mention limited replayability for certain players, particularly those who prefer longer narratives.
- “You do have unlockables and a special mode you can unlock which adds some needed replayability.”
- “It has a pretty good story, nice replay value, unlockables, and the best part: optional co-op!”
- “First time playthrough lasts around 4-8 hours but replayability is quite good in this title, there are extra modes such as hard and special, and the game itself is quite fun and doesn't get old after the first playthrough like many other games.”
- “My only criticisms for the game would be the very bare story and limited replayability.”
- “The game itself is also extremely short and offers very little replay value.”
- “Only 5 and a half hours long, and not much replayability.”
humor
22 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its unintentional comedic elements, such as poorly executed dialogue, absurd character interactions, and a hilariously bad storyline that evokes a nostalgic B-movie vibe. Players find themselves laughing at the game's quirks, including the ridiculous cutscenes and over-the-top scenarios, making it a fun experience, especially when played with friends. Overall, the humor serves to lighten the horror atmosphere, appealing to those who appreciate a more tongue-in-cheek approach to the genre.
- “I couldn't help but laugh at some parts of this game; it was so much fun though, had a Silent Hill feeling to it, but it's also 2-player via remote play, and it still works great!”
- “The translation is hilariously bad (I think it was developed by a French studio), and it leads to some amazing dialogue and notes scattered around the game.”
- “It's b-movie cheese at its finest, with CGI cutscenes and stereotypical dialogue that's just too unintentionally funny to pass up.”
optimization
13 mentions
31 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with solid performance and smooth gameplay on newer hardware. However, some users noted issues with audio and subtitle syncing in cutscenes, as well as a lack of optimization for mouse and keyboard controls, suggesting that certain aspects could have been better thought out during development.
- “The optimization is top notch.”
- “Performance was really solid.”
- “However, the gameplay is very nice and optimized in this version; the lock aim actually works and I loved this about it.”
- “I wish some things would have been more optimized and thought out better back when the team was in the process of making visual enhancements to the game.”
- “It seems like it wasn't properly optimized.”
- “Also, use of a controller is highly recommended as the game really wasn't optimized for mouse and keyboard.”
grinding
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, primarily due to limited save opportunities that force them to replay sections repeatedly after dying. While some enjoy the character interactions and manageable puzzles, the overall experience can feel clunky and laborious, especially when navigating the game's mechanics and controls.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I hadn't heard of it until a friend pointed it out, so absent any nostalgia, this game was a clunky, tedious obscure mess.”
- “Everything mentioned above is a real problem since dying in this game can be a really tedious ordeal sometimes, especially if you managed to save your game in unfavorable areas. You are limited in saving throughout the whole game and never know when you actually should be saving, which then forces you to pay a high price for dying shortly after and being thrown way back, having to replay certain parts over and over again.”
- “The limited opportunities to save also means you tediously play the same scenes over and over again until you can defeat whatever enemy and move on.”
character development
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally criticized, with many reviewers noting a lack of depth and memorable traits among characters. While some appreciate the character designs, the overall execution is marred by poor voice acting and a failure to create engaging or evolving personalities, making the characters feel one-dimensional and forgettable.
- “The character designs are really cool in both entries.”
- “The character development is engaging and adds depth to the story.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful.”
- “Cheesy acting, with weird character designs that did not age well.”
- “Interesting characters and character development is non-existent; they are very by the numbers and the voice acting is pretty bad.”
- “There's no character development, no memorable lines; the support NPCs aren't interesting and don't say much - it's a flimsy excuse to kill zombies and it shows.”
stability
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, players report that the game runs smoothly with fewer bugs compared to previous versions, though some users have experienced occasional glitches and freezing issues, particularly when accessing certain areas. While these problems can be frustrating, they are generally not game-breaking.
- “Love the game, but the only problem I have is that I need to get a reel to go to the gardens. When I enter the library, the game freezes. If you don't encounter this problem, the game is great; I just am unable to beat it right now.”
- “There were some glitches in the game, but nothing game-breaking.”
- “⛔ Bugs | Glitches”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally engaging, requiring a continuous playthrough to fully appreciate its narrative. However, some reviewers feel that the character relationships lack depth, leading to a diminished emotional attachment.
- “This game evokes a deep emotional connection that keeps you engaged from start to finish.”
- “The characters' journeys are so well-crafted that you can't help but feel invested in their stories.”
- “The emotional depth of the narrative truly resonates, making every decision feel significant.”