Is ObsCure PS2 Game Rare?
Yes, Obscure is considered a rare game on the PlayStation 2 (PS2), though its rarity is more in terms of its relative availability rather than being an expensive collector's item.
Here are a few reasons why Obscure is considered rare or hard to find:
Limited Print Run: The game was not widely produced, especially compared to major titles. This has made physical copies somewhat scarce over time.
Niche Appeal: It wasn’t a blockbuster hit when it was released, and its audience was relatively small. This limited its reach, but its growing cult status over the years increased demand for it.
European Popularity: While the game was released in multiple regions, it was more popular in Europe. Finding copies in regions like North America can be more difficult.
In the retro gaming market, Obscure can be sought after by collectors, and it tends to sell for higher prices than many more common PS2 games, especially if it's complete with its manual and case. However, it's not in the top tier of rare PS2 games in terms of value. It’s more of a hidden gem for fans of horror and co-op games.
ObsCure - When Resident Evil meets The Faculty!
ObsCure by name, and Obscure by nature, this survival horror game is the love child of Resident Evil and The Faculty. Released in 2004 for the Playstation 2, Xbox and Windows, this game somehow flies under the radar compared to its more renowned peers. Developed by Hydravision Entertainment, it carved a niche in the genre with its distinct setting and gameplay mechanics.
While it might not have reached the heights of Silent Hill or Resident Evil, ObsCure manages to stand out and over the years has become a cult classic in his own right”
Set in the fictional Leafmore High School, the game follows five stereotypical teenage students, who get locked inside the school overnight. As they search for their missing friend, they start to uncover a very sinister conspiracy involving botanical experiments that have turned some of the staff and students into grotesque monsters.
While the premise of a group of high schoolers fighting supernatural threats may seem cliché, obsCure adds a layer of intrigue by grounding its horror in science fiction. The experiments conducted by the school’s staff on a mysterious plant are a nod to classic horror themes of scientific hubris and body horror. The characters – a mix of the jock, the nerd, the popular girl, and so on – may fall into familiar archetypes, but their personalities are well fleshed out, and the fact that players can switch between characters and use their unique abilities adds depth to the story. This team-based dynamic plays out well, as the group’s survival relies on leveraging each person’s strengths.
The story evokes a "B-movie" horror vibe, something reminiscent of teen horror flicks like The Faculty or Scream. It balances genuine creepiness with an over-the-top atmosphere, never taking itself too seriously while maintaining enough tension to keep players engaged.
The high school setting of Leafmore gives obsCure a unique identity. Most survival horror games of the early 2000s were set in more traditional horror locales – creepy mansions, hospitals, or deserted towns. Leafmore High’s corridors, classrooms, gymnasiums, and locker rooms are refreshingly different yet no less eerie. The school feels abandoned and haunted, with dark hallways lit only by the weak beam of a flashlight and unsettling ambient sounds echoing through the empty halls.
The game plays with light and darkness mechanics, a concept perhaps borrowed from Alone in the Dark or Alan Wake. Enemies are vulnerable to light, forcing players to manage their flashlight usage effectively, adding another layer of strategy to the game. This mechanic ties into the setting well – the flickering lights in classrooms or the dim glow of the gym’s emergency exit signs heighten the tension. The gloomy atmosphere is complemented by environmental storytelling: broken windows, scattered papers, and mysterious journals allude to the school’s twisted history and amplify the sense of isolation.
Visually, obsCure falls squarely within the expectations of its era. The game’s graphics are serviceable but not revolutionary. Character models and environments are sufficiently detailed, but they don’t push the hardware of the PS2 or Xbox to their limits. The facial animations, in particular, can be stiff and unnatural, which sometimes detracts from the immersion.
Where obsCure excels is in its use of lighting and shadows. The game’s light mechanics aren’t just a gameplay feature – they also contribute to the overall aesthetic. Darkness feels oppressive, and the contrast between light and shadow is well-handled. The creatures that emerge from the shadows are appropriately grotesque, with their designs evoking a twisted botanical theme that ties back to the game's core narrative.
In conclusion, obsCure may not have been a game-changer in the survival horror genre, but it remains a memorable and unique experience, especially for fans of co-op gameplay. Its compelling setting, solid (if somewhat unpolished) gameplay mechanics, and atmospheric music make it worth revisiting. While some aspects feel dated by today’s standards, it’s a charming throwback to an era of survival horror defined by innovation and experimentation.
