Clock Tower - La menace Scissorman

Summary

A group of people play and discuss an old horror video game called Clock Tower. There is a lot of dialog and debate around the story, gameplay, endings, sequels, and flaws. One character tries to reconcile with another character named Alice using a play script inspired by Final Fantasy 9.

Takeaways

• 😀 They play Clock Tower, a classic survival horror game for the original PlayStation.
• 😱 The game involves evading a killer named Scissorman across different environments.
• 🤔 The game has multiple playable characters and endings based on player choices.
• 😅 There is some tension between the hosts as they play and discuss the game.
• 🎮 The gameplay involves puzzle solving and quick time events when evading the killer.
• 👎 The game has clunky point-and-click controls not well suited for a console game.
• 📜 The story and lore across the games in the series are complex and interlinked.
• 🎥 There are long dialogue scenes that interrupt the pacing and action.
• 🤨 The translation from Japanese to French results in some confused or lost meaning.
• 🎬 They jokingly act out a play based on the game as a way to reconcile tensions between hosts.

Q & A

What video games are the characters playing?

The characters are playing Clock Tower for the Playstation 1. It is a point-and-click survival horror game originally released in 1995 for the Super Famicom in Japan.

Who is the main antagonist in the game?

The main antagonist is Scissorman, a disfigured killer who chases the player characters with a giant pair of scissors.

What is the goal of the game?

The goal is to guide the playable characters through the game's environments, solve puzzles, and evade Scissorman to uncover the mystery behind the Barrows mansion and survive.

How many endings does the game have?

Clock Tower has multiple endings - 5 endings for each of the 2 playable characters, Jennifer and Helen. The endings vary based on the player's actions throughout the game.

What are some of the flaws discussed about the game?

Some flaws discussed are the clunky point-and-click gameplay not well-suited for a console game, frustrating puzzles, ugly 3D visuals compared to the original's pixel art, convoluted story across characters, and poor translation.

What are the different playable segments in the game?

The major playable segments are the research center, Rick's house to retrieve a statue, and the Barrows mansion. Much of the game involves dialogue sequences that progress the story.

What tactics can the player use against Scissorman?

The player can hide, use environmental objects to stun Scissorman, or mash a button to break free when grabbed. Each item or hiding spot works only once per Scissorman appearance.

How does the story connect to the previous Clock Tower game?

Clock Tower 2 directly continues the story from the first game, with Jennifer as one of the surviving orphans from the Barrows mansion. Scissorman also returns as the main antagonist.

What are some notable references made to other survival horror games?

The script references Resident Evil as being more dynamic and Alan Wake's narrative style of two interconnecting storylines.

What theatrical performance does Arnaud plan at the end?

Arnaud plans to create a play based on Final Fantasy 9 to apologize to Alice on stage. He wants a moment to talk openly with her.