Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Clock Tower unfolds as a full 3D point-and-click adventure that places you directly in the crosshairs of the deranged Scissorman. Rather than hand-to-hand combat, the game emphasizes stealth, quick thinking, and environmental interaction. You’ll click your way through dimly lit corridors, musty attics, and abandoned buildings, searching for keys, tools, and hiding spots to elude the relentless killer.

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The narrative is divided into three main scenarios, including a brief prologue that introduces the town’s gruesome history. Between each main chapter, you receive an intermission allowing free exploration of the Norwegian setting. These quiet moments not only build atmospheric tension but also let you gather clues, learn more about local residents, and prepare for the next encounter with Scissorman.

Encounters with Scissorman are heart-pounding events. Once he appears, you must rapidly find a place to hide—under beds, inside closets, or behind furniture—or scavenge objects to temporarily incapacitate him. The hide-and-seek mechanics keep you on edge, as lingering too long in the open means instant death. Puzzle solving is woven seamlessly into these chase sequences, ensuring the pace never drags.

Graphics

Visually, Clock Tower delivers a moody, atmospheric rendition of rural Norway. The transition to full 3D environments was ambitious for its time, and while polygon counts are modest by modern standards, the designers compensate with thoughtful lighting and carefully placed fog effects. Shadows stretch long across cold wooden floors, and each flickering lamp seems to threaten to plunge you into darkness.

Character models strike a careful balance between realistic proportions and exaggerated features that accentuate the horror. Scissorman himself is a grotesque figure: his twisted posture, oversized scissors, and rough, tattered clothing make every appearance unnerving. Animations during chase sequences are jerky but effective, reinforcing the sense that he’s more monster than man.

The environmental detail deserves praise as well. Cracked windows, peeling wallpaper, and scattered belongings lend authenticity to the abandoned buildings you explore. In the intermission phases, the small town feels lived-in, from the silent church tower to the empty market stalls. These background touches enhance immersion and deepen the game’s unsettling atmosphere.

Story

Originally titled Clock Tower II, this sequel builds on the lore established by the first Clock Tower, continuing the battle against Scissorman—a disfigured mass murderer who has laid waste to the Norwegian countryside. The prologue sets the stage with a chilling flashback, then you assume the role of a vulnerable protagonist drawn inexorably into Scissorman’s killing spree.

As events unfold across three scenarios, you witness townsfolk falling victim one by one. Each chapter has its own locale and cast of characters, creating a vignette-like structure. The intermissions between levels not only give you a breather but also enrich the narrative by allowing side interactions and the discovery of notes or documents that flesh out both the victims’ backstories and Scissorman’s twisted motivations.

The sense of dread is constant. With every creaking door and distant footstep, you feel the shadow of the killer closing in. There are no heroic battles—only desperate attempts to survive. This focus on vulnerability and helplessness heightens the emotional stakes and makes each narrow escape a genuine triumph.

Overall Experience

Clock Tower stands out as a pioneering horror adventure that sacrifices combat for pure suspense, leaning heavily on puzzle design and stealth gameplay. Its measured pacing allows tension to build naturally, and the full 3D presentation—though dated today—still communicates a powerful sense of isolation. If you relish anxiety-driven experiences, this title delivers in spades.

The pros include a memorable antagonist in Scissorman, atmospheric environments that evoke classic horror, and a unique structure that alternates high-stakes chases with exploratory intermissions. On the downside, the controls can feel clunky, and the camera angles occasionally obstruct vital pathways. A few puzzles verge on obtuse, which may frustrate newcomers to the genre.

For fans of point-and-click adventures and horror aficionados alike, Clock Tower offers a compelling blend of puzzle-solving, exploration, and jump scares. While modern horror games may boast flashier graphics and more fluid controls, few capture the raw tension and palpable fear of being hunted quite like this sequel. If you’re searching for an old-school horror experience that rewards patience and nerve, Clock Tower remains a must-play.

Retro Replay Score

7/10