Retro Gaming: ObsCure

ObsCure is a survival horror game released in October of 2004 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It was developed by Hydravision Entertainment and published by DreamCatcher Interactive. The game follows a group of four friends searching for their missing friend at Leafmore High. The students discover their school is stranger than it already appears. After being locked in for the night, they witness strange creatures who are extremely sensitive to any source of light. The game follows a conspiracy that the principal of Leafmore High, Herbert, has been conducting experiments on students in an attempt to stop or reverse ageing. ObsCure isn't a typical "zombie infection" type of story. The creatures are especially creepy, the puzzles are genius and the games cut-scenes are magnificent for its time. Each of the five playable characters in the game have special abilities that match their personalities, which makes for a great second or even third playthrough. ObsCure features music by Sum 41 and Span, which aren't my cups of tea, but fit nicely. It also features an original 24-piece soundtrack produced by Olivier Derivière. ObsCure received shockingly low reviews by mainstream media, but personally fitting reviews by fans. It was released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2 and Xbox. A sequel, ObsCure II, was released in 2009. It takes place two years after the original. It is rumored that another sequel, ObsCure III, will release late 2012 / early 2013. ObsCure marks one of my favorite games of 2004. I'm sad to see it age in such a negative light.