Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good gruesome fun, but short., 31 Dec 2003
The first two Clock Tower games (on PS1) didn't reach many gamers due to several reasons (the first was one of the very earliest games and its "point and click" gameplay style didn't capture the public imagination. The second one sank pretty quickly too (not even released in Europe, so I never played it). Lets hope the same does not happen to the 3rd, because it's by far the best. Playing as a young schoolgirl Alyssa, you return to your family home to find it deserted and before you know it you are being chased through time and supernatural dimensions by crazed killers! First let me say that the graphics and animations throughout the game are superb. Its also one of the grisliest survival horror games I have played, I certainly didn't expect to see a little girl bludgeoned to death by a sledgehammer, or a sweet old lady drowned in an acid bath, but nothing is left to the imagination here. The big feature of playing the game is that Alyssa cannot attack any of the foes that chase her around the various levels, instead she must merely run away, or utilise various one-off escape manouveres that can only be actioned in specific few and far between locations. It sounds frustrating, but it actually works pretty well, and the panic of solving a puzzle whilst a maniac with an acid spray or giant scissors is breaking down the door to your room always provided plenty of entertainment for me!
Gamers who like a fighting challenge are also catered for however, as at the end of each level, Alyssa has to fight each maniac (a different serial killer is after her in each level) to the death. And it's here that the games difficulty suddenly shoots up. Many reviewers have criticised the battle system in this game, but I really enjoyed it. The fight conditions are restrictive and rigid, its true, but it just means you must put a bit of work in to get through it. Stick with it and you'll enjoy conquering each villain...better not tell these gaming wimps about the even tougher challenge in the final battle. The voice acting is very good (Alyssa and her family actually sound genuinely British!), and the locations and mad maniacs are all suitably horrific.
Sadly the game seems very short, and the areas that Alyssa explores are all quite small, although there are several stages to keep the player amused including a cemetary, a hospital, and an ornate castle.
The spirit of the first game has been kept intact, especially the sudden surprises of the killer leaping out unexpectedly at you, but everything is improved, although sadly there are no multiple endings like in the first game (only one here). I would certainly recommend this game, but it's not really a game for children due to the graphic murders on display. But for the rest of us, its good gruesome fun!
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another excellent survival horror - if you're good enough, 12 Jan 2004
It's quite clear that the only reason people didn't like this game is because it was too difficult for them. You have no weapons in the traditional sense, so fans of all-out shooters won't be happy, but this just adds to what is already an incredibly tense experience. Only brainpower and quick reflexes will save you from a gruesome death here. The atmosphere is extremely well done - if you don't jump out of your skin at least once, you'd better check your pulse for signs of life. This is survival horror at its rawest; some of the images go beyond anything in Resident Evil or Silent Hill in terms of shock value, and you are constantly in fear of your life. Clock Tower 3 makes a refreshing change from the brainless action elements which have pervaded some of Capcom's horror games of late, and fans of Resident Evil, Silent Hill and Project Zero are sure to enjoy themselves.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Clock tower 3, 30 Jul 2003
By A Customer
I bought this game thinking that it would be in the same style as Resident Evil and every other game in the horror genre. It is and it isn't. There is nothing new about the graphics or plot but the game play has an unusual twist....you can't fight back! To begin with your heart races as you try to out run the bad guys defending yourself only with an occasional splash of holy water and hiding in a handy cupboard....but then it simply becomes frustrating. You can't concentrate on the puzzles as you are too busy listening for the ominous music signalling the arrival of the stalker. You do get a boss fight at the end of each level but I was still left feeling a little unsatisfied and frustrated. Oh, and for the dishonest amongst you, there are no codes to cheat your way through either!! Buy it if you have a lot of patience and don't mind being irritated.
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Suitable for 15 years and over. Not for sale to persons under age 15. By placing an order for this product, you declare that you are 15 years of age or over.
