Arkiv

Alyssa Hale isn’t like other 17-year old girls; she’s been through intense psychotherapy to eliminate a murderous apparition that resides in her mind. Before her therapy, she would have horrific visions filled with violent acts involving the murder of her friends. Though she could never clearly make out who was doing this, the visions would end with Alyssa looking at her dead friends with a knife in her hand.

The only thing she knows about the possessive apparition is his name, Mr. Bates. It was also discovered that her amulet was a link between her personalities; the pendant protects her psyche from harm or possession. When Alyssa isn’t wearing or holding the amulet, Mr. Bates can invade her thoughts at any time…

With that in mind, Alyssa traveled to the town of Salinas to visit Mr. Phillip Tate, a friend of the family’s. As Phillip and his wife Kathryn Tate were awaiting her arrival, there was an ominous knock at the door. What happened next is a bit of a mystery; as Kathryn opened the door, she unleashed a blood-curdling scream.

When Alyssa finally arrived at the Tate house, everyone was gone and there was a sense of horror in the air. Something was definitely amiss as she walked around the abandoned house. As Alyssa continued her search, she discovered a rotting corpse lying in a pool of yellow blood. And thus begins the story of Clock Tower II: The Struggle Within.

Players assume the role of Alyssa and her mysterious persona Mr. Bates in an all-new bone-chilling point-and-click adventure. Taking gameplay elements from the original title, Clock Tower II: The Struggle Within features three episodes that unravel the murderous plot, 13 different endings and an inventory system that holds numerous items.

The key to solving puzzles and progressing through each episode is found within Alyssa’s amulet. When she places the pendant in a safe place, Mr. Bates can then enter her psyche and take over her body. And while Alyssa may not like it, this is the only way players will be able to solve the mystery. Mr. Bates can see and interact with things that Alyssa cannot!

Like the original Clock Tower, players will use the point-and-click method to move the protagonist from screen to screen and interact with hot-spotted items. Picking up items is extremely important for episode progression — be sure to comb every area thoroughly for keys and clues! In addition to inventory items, players will also come across hints that are viewable at the Pamphlet screen. This screen also includes an ending list and a mystery gameplay option that is unlocked ”after certain conditions have been met.”

Additionally, Alyssa will interact with a cast of characters including the moody Shannon Lewis; Mr. Bowman, an aggressive newspaper reporter; detective Alex Corey; and Allen Hale, a prominent hospital director (and Alyssa’s father). Whereas the original game had the murderous Scissorman, Clock Tower II: The Struggle Within features a few pathos including George Maxwell, a devil mask-wearing killer with a large butcher knife and Stephanie Tate, a possessed seven-year old maniac.

When players come in contact with either of these psychopaths, the Panic or Escape modes become initiated. During a Panic situation, the cursor flashes red and you’ll have to press the Square button repeatedly to escape. The Escape mode involves running away from the murderous beings and using objects in any given room to fight off the enemy.

Alyssa’s fate is in your hands. If you succeed, you’ll uncover the mysteries behind Clock Tower II: The Struggle Within; fail and she’ll meet with a brutal demise.