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Explore the history, story, characters, and gameplay mechanics of the classic horror game Clock Tower, including controls and panic mode details.

This section of the guide will introduce you to the game material of this horror classic.

About Human Entertainment
Human Entertainment is the software company that programmed and published the Clock Tower series in Japan. The graphics of the first title, although not super impressive, were not sub-par. They were sufficiently dark, even sometimes managing to be suspenseful. The music, done by Kouji Niikura, is simply amazing, capturing the perfect feel for the ultimate survival horror game. The soundtrack is dripping with European horror stylings, and is simply amazing.

About the Game
Because of the obscurity of the series, it is difficult to pinpoint and research the origins of the game. It can be assumed that it is influenced by European horror films, one strong example being the film Phenomena, a project headed by the incredible and famous Dario Argento. This masterpiece seems to have substantial ties to the game due to various similarities, such as the killer being a grotesquely deformed young boy, and some strikingly similar situations that occur in each work. Also, Jennifer has some similarities in appearance to Jennifer Connelly, who played the main character in Phenomena.

Story
Northern Europe. September 1995.
On a rather average September day, Jennifer Simpson and her friends are adopted from the Granite Orphanage by a woman named Mary. She takes them to her home, a massive mansion, marked by an astonishing, monolithic Clock Tower. All seems to be normal, but nothing feels quite right.
It happened in September of that year...

Characters

• Jennifer Simpson — Left an orphan after her mother's death and her father's sudden disappearance, she and her friends are adopted by Mary Barrows. She is determined and has great survival skills.
• Ann/Anne, Laura/Lola, Lotte — The other girls that Mary has adopted from the Granite Orphanage. Let's just say their wits don't even begin match Jennifer's.
• Mary Barrows — Mary is a teacher at the Granite Orphanage. She is the one that adopted the girls.
• Scissorman — A vicious killer that has appeared after Mary has disappeared... He is very short and has an abnormal appearance. As it can be deduced from his name, he wields a large pair of scissors.
• Simon Barrows — The husband of Mary Barrows. Could he still be alive in this mansion, or is he another of Scissorman's victims?
• Walter Simpson — Jennifer's father, who was a doctor. He suddenly went missing during a house call.
• Bobby Barrows, Dan Barrows — These twins are the sons of the Barrows. They are rarely seen, and it is said that they are evil and horribly grotesque.

(There are multiple possible translation of Barouzu, but for the sake of continuity with Clock Tower 2, the last name of the killers will be referred to as Barrows. Also, some characters have alternate translations for their names, and no real official Romanized counterparts.)

Gameplay
The gameplay in this game is very simple. It follows some standard design practices from point-and-click adventure games. It has a very dark feel, and is innovative with its use of fear and panic.

Main Menu

• Game Start (All Versions) — Start the game with the intro.
• Quick Start (All Versions) — Skip the intro and get right into the fray.
• Continue (All Versions) — Continue from where you last left off.
• Load Start (PSX) — Loads from the last time you saved.
• Ending List (All Versions) — See the endings you have earned.
• Stereo (Super Famicom) — Switch sound between stereo and mono.
• Sound (PSX) — Change sound options.
• Control (PSX) — Change controls between two options.

Controls

Super Famicom

• Directional Pad — Move Cursor
• Y — Action
• X — Stop/Cancel
• B — Panic Button
• A — Item Select
• L — Run Left
• R — Run Right
• Start — Pause
• Select — Nothing

PlayStation

• Directional Pad — Move Cursor
• Square — Action
• Triangle — Stop/Cancel
• X — Panic Button
• Circle — Item Select
• L1 — Run Left
• L2 — Run Left
• R1 — Run Right
• R2 — Run Right
• Start — Nothing
• Select — Nothing

WonderSwan

• X1 — Cursor Up
• X2 — Cursor Right
• X3 — Cursor Down
• X4 — Cursor Left
• Y1 — Nothing
• Y2 — Select Item
• Y3 — Nothing
• Y4 — Select Item
• B — Stop/Cancel
• A — Action
• Option — Nothing
• Start — Pause

Note: In the PlayStation version, the option to use the mouse is available.

Game Modes

• Normal Mode — In this mode, you search for the way through the mansion, looking for clues, Jennifer's friends, and a way out.
• Evasion Mode — In this mode, you must search for a way to evade Scissorman.
• Panic Mode — In this mode, Jennifer's portrait is flashing colors, and you must press the panic button as fast as possible to avoid dire consequences.

Panic Button
Whenever Jennifer's portrait flashes, this means you must press the Panic Button quickly and repeatedly until the situation passes.

Panic Level
Jennifer's Panic Level is noted by the color of the background in her portrait.
There are four different Panic Levels:

• Blue — Good
• Green — Ok
• Orange — Not So Great
• Red — Danger! (Implied)