Clock Tower

Game Details:

Clock Tower, first released on the SFC platform in 1995, is an early horror game that successfully combined "chase + puzzle solving." The game uses a "point-and-click" operation mode. Players must explore rooms, pick up key props, and avoid enemies in the game. The tense atmosphere is maintained throughout with oppressive music and sudden jump scares.

The game's protagonist, Jennifer Simpson, is an orphan who is brought to a mysterious mansion with other girls. However, she soon discovers that her companions have mysteriously disappeared, and a strange man named "Scissorman" is secretly hunting everyone. There is no combat system in the game. The player's only way to survive is to run, hide, and deduce.

The game has multiple endings, which are determined by the player's choices at key nodes and the survival of the characters, increasing replayability and exploration.

Editor's Recommendation:

If you are fond of psychological thriller and plot suspense games, Clock Tower is undoubtedly a rare masterpiece. It does not rely on too much gore and violence, but creates a terrifying atmosphere through oppressive scenes, sudden chases, and the characters' helplessness. The game has a compact rhythm and a profound plot setting. In particular, the process of the protagonist gradually unraveling the mystery of the manor in the face of great fear is very attractive.

As one of the representative works of the first generation of horror escape games, it laid the design foundation for subsequent horror works such as Zero and Parasite Eve, and can be called a classic among classics. For players who love the old-fashioned horror atmosphere and pursue a sense of tension and multi-line plot experience, Clock Tower is definitely worth a try.

Game Guide:

Clock Tower is a horror game centered on escape and reasoning puzzles. Mastering key survival skills and route arrangements is crucial to achieving a good ending.

I. Basic Survival Skills

• Always pay attention to the "Fear Value": When the character's fear level is too high, they will fall, move slowly, and are extremely vulnerable to death when encountering enemies. You can relieve this by tidying up your appearance in the mirror or resting.
• Scissorman chase mechanism: Not all areas are safe. Prioritize finding places "where you can hide" (such as wardrobes, under the bed, etc.). After hiding, you need to wait patiently for the enemy to leave.
• Limited save points: Plan your process reasonably. It is recommended to save one progress stage at a time in order to retry different routes.

II. Important Items and Uses

• Red Potion: Used to reduce fear value, it is very rare, so be sure to use it sparingly.
• Keys and Scissors: Some props can only unlock hidden plots or achieve specific ending lines, so it is recommended to diligently explore every room.
• Birdcage and Letters: Involve hidden plot clues, it is recommended to check the trigger conditions and complete the side content.

III. Overview of Ending Branches

• The game has multiple endings (A~H), the main influencing factors are:
• Whether companions die
• Whether Scissorman is completely defeated
• Whether the true identity and motives of Scissorman are discovered
• Whether the secret documents behind the manor are found
• Recommended route:
• Save the lives of your companions as much as possible in the early stages of the game and help them escape danger in time.
• Key plots must be triggered, such as the rooftop incident, basement exploration, and revelation of mother's identity.
• Collect all clues and documents to trigger "Best Ending A".

IV. Additional Suggestions

• Sound effects prompts are very important, it is recommended to play the game with headphones;
• Quickly clicking the interaction button when encountering an enemy can increase the chance of escape;
• The plot reversal is strong in the later stages of the game, please avoid skipping levels to experience the complete plot.