Unveiling the Bone-Chilling Origins of a Legendary Survival Horror Game Franchise
Unlock the terrifying secrets of Phenomena/Creepers, an 80s horror flick that served as the inspiration for a legendary survival horror game series Dive into the spine-chilling world of Argento's masterpiece turned interactive nightmare Brace yourself for the hair-raising journey through multiple Clock Tower games, each one more chilling than the last
The survival horror genre has an intriguing and extensive history, drawing inspiration from H. P. Lovecraft and slasher movies. It has evolved from the enigmatic nightmares of the Atari 2600 to the chilling blend of horror and action found in NES platformers. While Clock Tower by Human Entertainment was not the first of its kind, it laid the groundwork for renowned titles like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Clock Tower took inspiration from the delightfully strange Italian horror film, Phenomena.
Giallo, a distinct subgenre of horror, encompasses murder mysteries and often incorporates elements of slasher films or supernatural fiction. Italian horror has a tendency to be remarkably unconventional, transforming seemingly straightforward tales of serial killers into psychic battles for the souls of victims. Dario Argento, a revered figure in this movement, has a repertoire that includes classics such as Suspiria, Inferno, and Phenomena.
What is Phenomena/Creepers about?
New Line Cinema handled the distribution of Phenomena in North America. The studio decided to retitle the film as Creepers, treating it like a Gremlins knockoff that would only be released on video. Additionally, they made the controversial decision to cut over 20 minutes of footage. However, both critics and fans strongly disagree with these changes, firmly believing that the original Phenomena is far superior.
Phenomena centers around the character of Jennifer Corvino, the daughter of a famous American actor, who enrolls at a Swiss boarding school. Unfortunately, a local serial murderer starts targeting young girls, managing to avoid capture by the authorities. Jennifer, horrifyingly, witnesses the killer brutally murdering one of her classmates and soon becomes the new focus of the killer's nefarious attention.
As the investigation unfolds, they discover a disturbing correlation in the case – a specific species of maggot seems to trail after the murderer. To her astonishment, Jennifer realizes she possesses psychic abilities that allow her to form a connection with insects. However, these newfound powers become increasingly uncontrollable as her fellow students relentlessly bully and torment her, cruelly labeling her as a freak.
In order to put an end to the killing spree and prevent herself from becoming the killer's next victim, Jennifer must rely on her ability to communicate with flies and decipher their messages. Time is of the essence as she races against the clock to stop the murders before she succumbs to the same fate as the other victims.
What video game did Phenomena/Creepers inspire?
Clock Tower, the 1995 point-and-click survival horror game, was directed by Hifumi Kono and heavily influenced by Argento's Phenomena. Although all of Argento's works were inspirational to Kono, Phenomena played a significant role in shaping the game's storyline. The protagonist, Jennifer Simpson, an orphan taken in by a reclusive aristocrat, shares her name with Jennifer Corvino, portrayed by Jennifer Connelly in the film. In fact, Jennifer's appearance in the game was designed to closely resemble Jennifer Connelly. Alongside her new adoptive siblings, Jennifer discovers that they are being hunted by a horrifying serial killer who has become the game's iconic figure. This emaciated child possesses a skeletal face and wields an enormous pair of garden shears. Clock Tower combines the elements of point-and-click adventure gameplay with a survival horror setting. It undeniably holds a captivating place in the history of this revered subgenre.
The term "survival horror" was invented in this context as part of the marketing campaign for the release of Resident Evil in 1996. Various games served as precursors to the current direction of the genre. The origins of survival horror can be traced back to Capcom's Sweet Home and Frederick Raynal's Alone in the Dark. These two games also represent the divergent paths of survival game design. Examples influenced by American media lean toward action, exemplified by games like Resident Evil 4, which seamlessly blend shooting mechanics with occasional frights. On the other hand, Japanese iterations of the concept focus more on evading combat and solving puzzles. Clock Tower firmly falls into the latter category. While the game's atmosphere drew inspiration from Argento, it went on to inspire the likes of Silent Hill and Siren. Fans of the survival horror genre owe a debt of gratitude to the creators who shaped it into what it eventually became.
How many Clock Tower games are there?
Clock Tower had a successful run with three sequels, two spiritual successors, and an upcoming enhanced port. However, the numbering system in the original tetralogy was quite confusing. Clock Tower (1995) sold well and led to a sequel called Clock Tower (1996). Initially, Director Hifumi Kono wasn't interested in making a sequel, but the technological advancements of the PlayStation convinced him otherwise. In 1998, Human Entertainment released the third installment, Clock Tower II: The Struggle Within, which marked the departure of Kono as the director. Sadly, it received negative reviews and was considered a spin-off in Japan. Capcom and Sunsoft took over for the fourth game, Clock Tower 3, released in 2002. Surprisingly, Clock Tower 3 was the sole video game project of renowned director Kinji Fukasaku, known for his work on Battle Royale. In 2005, Capcom released Haunting Ground, which was seen as a spiritual successor to Clock Tower's gameplay. Finally, Hifumi Kono returned to the horror genre with his game NightCry, a point-and-click survival horror where players must evade and investigate a serial killer armed with a massive pair of scissors. Excitingly, WayForward, beloved developers, will be working on an update for Clock Tower, bringing it to modern consoles next year.
Phenomena and Clock Tower share several similarities, yet they cannot be easily substituted for one another. While their narratives differ, their similarities lie more in how they are presented. Although the main storylines of both games are alike in broad terms, they each possess their own unique cultural influences and chosen mediums. Both Clock Tower and Phenomena are highly recommended experiences and serve as important predecessors to renowned games like Resident Evil 4 and Silent Hill 2.
