Clock Tower: The First Fear (known as Clock Tower in Japan) is the first installment of the survival horror series Clock Tower created by Human Entertainment for the Super Famicom. The game was published by Human Entertainment and was released in Japan in 1995. It was then re-released in Japan in 1997, when it was ported to the PlayStation with some adjustments, and renamed to Clock Tower: The First Fear. This title is often kept to distinguish between the second installment, which had been named Clock Tower.
There have also been ports to the WonderSwan, and Windows 95, both of which were released in 1999. The game was not released outside of Japan; fortunately however, the Super Famicon version has been unofficially translated into English and there were even some fan translations for languages, such as Portuguese. The story is loosely based on Dario Argento's film, Phenomena.
PLOT:
Jennifer Simpson is a child from the fictional Granite Orphanage in Romsdalen, Norway. She and her friends, who are also orphans (Laura, Anne and Lotte) are adopted in September 1995 (the same month the game was released) by a wealthy recluse named Mr. Barrows and are picked up from the orphanage and taken to the mansion by his wife. They live in a mansion known as the "Clock Tower", named after its most predominant feature, and the girls are under the impression that it will be their future home.
Jennifer and the girls arrive at the mansion. The game immediately begins with these characters walking towards the Barrows mansion and settling in the main foyer.
CHARACTERS:
- Jennifer Simpson
- Dr. Walter Simpson
- Anne
- Lotte
- Laura
- Mary Barrows
- Bobby Barrows
- Dan Barrows
- Simon Barrows
GAMEPLAY:
Clock Tower is a 2D point and click style game, where the player controls a cursor to direct the main character, Jennifer Simpson, and give commands such as investigating objects or opening doors. The interface is akin to 1990-era computer adventure games, but simplified to work better with a gamepad. Primarily, the player can only move Jennifer left and right through the environment, although there are some rooms in which an action requires Jennifer to step into the background.
PLAYSTATION VERSION:
The game was remade for the Sony PlayStation in 1997, giving it the name it has now: Clock Tower: The First Fear. This version took the advantage of the newer 32-bit hardware of the Sony PlayStation, and added new sounds, scenes, and FMVs to enhance the Clock Tower experience. This version is Japan exclusive, and there has been no releases outside.
Scenes added:
- The TV in the Den will turn on and show a scene of white noise with a vague image of Dan.
- In the bedroom with the parrot, there will be a scene showing the parrot.
- In one of the bathrooms, when Jennifer walks to the sink, it will show a scene of her washing her hands. Upon approaching the sink again, she will wash her hands again, this time the sink pouring out blood.
- In the Hutch Room, when examining the crow's corpse, the scene will show the crow decapitated with a cleaver.
- In the Taxidermy room, when going to the far left and examining the closet, Jennifer will find a mummified corpse, (This can be seen in the original version, but the corpse will not come to life.) which will come to life and chase Jennifer. In order to get rid of the corpse, Jennifer must find the green dagger located in the box before opening the closet, and stabbing the corpse with it, causing it to fall apart. This is required to release the crows in the Hutch room, as the corpse drops the Hutch Key. The corpse can kill Jennifer in one hit.
- In the Play room, the small mannequin isn't the only doll that will attack you, as the red clown doll can also attack.
- A new cinematic explaining how Dan was able to be the new Scissorman in Clock Tower. Shortly after being incinerated, after Jennifer escapes the room, it shows an ashen faced boy rise from Dan's ashes, looking roughly the same age as Bobby.
It puts new use to the items unused, like the green dagger.
There is a strange item that has no use called Like55.wav, in the form of a CD. It is most likely an unused sound effect, judging by the .wav format.
There are english and spanish fanmade translations avaliables.
Manufacturer's description:
Multi-ending story that changes the number of friends who rescue, etc. by use of the item.
Runaway mode switch and meet Shizaman increases the tension of the player.
Achieve a smooth operation in the corresponding mouse controller.
A variety of events fear of inciting unrest Player!
Stage setting reminiscent of the Italian directing the horror of terror Fukabuchi.
Features:
- Third person perspective.
- 2D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Horror & Mystery themes.
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