Scratches (video game)

Last updated
Scratches
Scratches front.jpg
Developer(s) Nucleosys
Publisher(s) Got Game Entertainment
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Release
Genre(s) Adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

Scratches is a 2006 mystery horror adventure video game developed by Nucleosys and released by Got Game Entertainment. [3] It is the first commercial adventure game ever to be made in Argentina. [4]

Contents

Plot

Wealthy construction engineer James T. Blackwood and his wife Catherine reside in Blackwood Manor on the outskirts of Rothbury, England. James is accused of murdering Catherine in 1963, after which the manor becomes owned by the couple's friend and long-time doctor Christopher Milton. James suddenly dies from a heart attack a few days later, though some in Rothbury believe he killed himself. The police close the case due to a lack of evidence. In 1970, Christopher inexplicably disappears without a trace.

In 1976, American author Michael Arthate becomes the manor's newest owner. Seeking seclusion to work on his next book, he instead becomes more interested in researching the house's history when he finds that the house echoes its horrific past, which manifests as a scratching sound that is particularly loud in the basement and near fireplaces.

In the end, Michael discovers that the scratching noises are caused by James and Catherine's severely deformed son Robin, who had been locked in the basement the whole time. Michael flees the house, later finishing his novel and becoming a prolific writer as a result of his experience.

Alternate endings

Original ending

An early version of the game's ending saw Michael using a magic amulet to kill Robin and revive him as a fully functional human. The amulet would come with a puzzle, with Michael dying if the player could not solve the puzzle. Lead developer Agustin Cordes said the ending was "completely unfair in terms of design" and it was abandoned. [5]

The Last Visit

In the Director's Cut edition of the game, a side quest called "The Last Visit" continues the story of the house after Michael flees. An unnamed reporter is sent to uncover the mysteries of Blackwood Manor before its scheduled demolition. The place has become a scene of ruin, full of looting, vandalism, and graffiti. The reporter ultimately discovers Robin, who chases him until Milton appears back at the manor to speak with Robin. As the reporter escapes, Robin leaps onto Milton and presumably kills him. Blackwood Manor is later demolished and the reporter notes that the mystery of a mask found inside the home remains unsolved.

Characters

Gameplay

Scratches uses a first-person perspective to navigate around the house. Using only a mouse, the player can access various rooms and other places in order to solve the mystery of both Blackwood and Milton's disappearances. It features music and sound effects by composer Cellar of Rats. [6] [7] [8] The game is heavily influenced by H. P. Lovecraft and makes references to his works such as the Necronomicon , De Vermis Mysteriis , The Mountains of Madness , and the city of R'yleh. Michael also states that he moved to Rothbury from Lovecraft's hometown of Providence, Rhode Island. [9]

Development

Scratches was developed by a two-man team in Buenos Aires. Agustin Cordes did the programming and design, while Alejandro Graziana did the art direction. The developers opted to create their own game engine called SCREAM (Simple CReation Engine for Adventure Makers) rather than licensing a pre-existing engine. SCREAM utilised a combination of pre-rendered and 3D graphics, creating what the team referred to as "pseudo-3D", an effect which was hard to create using existing adventure game engines. [10]

The game was designed to be non-linear. [11] Its atmosphere has been compared to that of Resident Evil . [12] Artwork from the game started being released in 2004. [13] The Director's Cut saw changes analogous to those between Myst and its remake Realmyst. [14]

Scratches went Gold on February 21, 2006. [15] [16]

Release

Scratches was first released in North America on March 8, 2006 through game publisher Got Game Entertainment. However, Nucleosys had plans to release several international versions of the game worldwide.

A German version of the game has been available since March 2006 (published by Rondomedia), as has the Italian version Graffi Mortali (published by Power Up). A Greek version of the game is also available. A Russian version of the game has been available since May 2006 (published by Russobit-M [17] ). The Spanish version of the game (Rasguños) was announced but was never completed.

Nucleosys in 2007 released a "Director's Cut" version of Scratches, which includes an alternate ending and two more hours of gameplay. In addition to remastered sound, graphics and more. [18] This version was announced on March 16, 2007. [19] The title was part of Got Game Entertainment's mixed genre of games in 2007. [20] On October 21, 2010, Meridian4 announced that they had signed a digital publishing agreement with Nucleosys for this game. [21]

There were plans to create a Director's Commentary with a few additional features but as a result of Nucleosys' shutdown, it will not be released.

In 2012, Meridian4 released Scratches on Steam. [22]

Versions for Linux and Mac OS X were planned, but were never released before the demise of the developer.

Critical reception

Globally, Scratches sold more than 150,000 units by March 2007. [25] By 2012, sales had reached roughly 250,000 units. [26] Upon release of the director's cut, Wired asserted "You probably didn't play PC game Scratches". [27]

In March 2006, Scratches ranked in the top 10 of Amazon.com's Top Sellers in Computer and Video Games, as well as in popular game indexes such as GameRankings.com. [28]

Scratches received mixed reviews but overall achieved an average to high score from most review sites.[ citation needed ] According to Gameguru the game " received decent reviews". [29] Most notably GameSpot gave the game a 3.9 [30] and IGN gave it a 7.7, [31] emphasising the game's mixed reviews.[ citation needed ]

GamesRadar noted that the games uses a "brooding, silent atmosphere" to "slowly build up the tension and terror". [32] Game Chrinocle offered a positive review on the horror aspects of the game. [33] IGN seerted that it was "average" and "decent-to-good". [34]

Legacy

After Nucleosys went out of business, Agustín Cordes would go on to found Senscape, who are currently developing the horror game Asylum after a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.

Scratches is the first commercially released adventure game ever developed in Argentina. [28] [35]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>The Legend of Zelda</i> Video game series

The Legend of Zelda is an action-adventure game franchise created by the Japanese game designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka. It is primarily developed and published by Nintendo, although some portable installments and re-releases have been outsourced to Flagship, Vanpool, and Grezzo. The gameplay incorporates action-adventure and elements of action RPG games.

<i>The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time</i> 1998 video game

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a 1998 action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It was released in Japan and North America in November 1998 and in PAL regions the following month. Ocarina of Time is the first game in The Legend of Zelda series with 3D graphics.

<i>The Legend of Zelda</i> (video game) 1986 video game

The Legend of Zelda, originally released in Japan as The Hyrule Fantasy: Zelda no Densetsu, is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo. The first game of The Legend of Zelda series, it is set in the fantasy land of Hyrule and centers on an elf-like boy named Link, who aims to collect the eight fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom in order to rescue Princess Zelda from Ganon. The player controls Link from a top-down perspective and navigates throughout the overworld and dungeons, collecting weapons, defeating enemies and uncovering secrets along the way.

<i>Batman: The Animated Series</i> American animated television series by DC Comics

Batman: The Animated Series is an American animated superhero television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. Developed by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, it originally aired on Fox Kids from September 5, 1992, to September 15, 1995, with a total of 85 episodes.

<i>Sonic Adventure</i> 1998 video game

Sonic Adventure is a 1998 platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega for the Dreamcast. It was the first main Sonic the Hedgehog game to feature 3D gameplay. It follows Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Big the Cat, and E-102 Gamma in their quests to collect the Chaos Emeralds and stop Doctor Robotnik from unleashing Chaos, an ancient evil. Controlling one of the six characters—each with their own abilities—players complete levels to progress the story. Sonic Adventure retains many elements from prior Sonic games, such as power-ups and the ring-based health system. Players can play minigames such as racing and interact with Chao, a virtual pet.

<i>Grand Theft Auto: Vice City</i> 2002 video game

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is a 2002 action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the fourth main game in the Grand Theft Auto series, following 2001's Grand Theft Auto III, and the sixth entry overall. Set in 1986 within the fictional Vice City, the single-player story follows mobster Tommy Vercetti's rise to power after being released from prison and becoming caught up in an ambushed drug deal. While seeking out those responsible, Tommy gradually builds a criminal empire by seizing power from other criminal organisations in the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Revolution Software</span> British video game developer

Revolution Software Limited is a British video game developer based in York, founded in 1989 by Charles Cecil, Tony Warriner, David Sykes, and Noirin Carmody.

<i>Sonic Adventure 2</i> 2001 video game

Sonic Adventure 2 is a 2001 platform game developed by Sonic Team USA and published by Sega for the Dreamcast. It features two good-vs-evil stories: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, and Knuckles the Echidna attempt to save the world, while Shadow the Hedgehog, Doctor Eggman, and Rouge the Bat attempt to conquer it. The stories are divided into three gameplay styles: fast-paced platforming for Sonic and Shadow, multidirectional shooting for Tails and Eggman, and action-adventure exploration for Knuckles and Rouge. Like previous Sonic the Hedgehog games, the player completes levels while collecting rings and defeating enemies. Outside the main gameplay, they can interact with Chao, a virtual pet, and compete in multiplayer battles.

<i>The Journeyman Project</i> Video game series

The Journeyman Project is a series of award-winning first-person science fiction adventure games, created by Presto Studios and released by various publishers, including Bandai, Sanctuary Woods, and Red Orb Entertainment.

<i>In Cold Blood</i> (video game) 2000 video game

In Cold Blood is an adventure game developed by Revolution Software for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows in 2000 in Europe and in 2001 in North America. The player assumes the role of John Cord—an MI6 agent who is captured while on assignment and tries to figure out who betrayed him through a series of flashbacks.

<i>The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess</i> 2006 video game

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is a 2006 action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube and Wii. Originally planned for release exclusively on the GameCube in November 2005, Twilight Princess was delayed by Nintendo to allow its developers to refine the game, add more content, and port it to the Wii. The Wii version was a launch game in North America in November 2006, and in Japan, Europe, and Australia the following month. The GameCube version was released in December 2006 as the final first-party game for the console.

<i>The Matrix: Path of Neo</i> 2005 action-adventure video game

The Matrix: Path of Neo is a 2005 action-adventure video game developed by Shiny Entertainment and published by Atari. The game was written and co-directed by the Wachowskis, who wrote and directed the first three The Matrix films and the 2003 video game Enter the Matrix, also developed by Shiny Entertainment. Players control the character Neo, participating in scenes from the films.

<i>Ōkami</i> 2006 video game

Ōkami is an action-adventure video game developed by Clover Studio and published by Capcom. It was released for PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and North America, and in 2007 in Europe and Australia. After the closure of Clover Studio a few months after the release, a port for Wii was developed by Ready at Dawn, Tose, and Capcom, and released in 2008.

<i>CSI: Dark Motives</i> 2004 video game

CSI: Dark Motives is a computer game based on the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation television series. The game was developed by Radical Entertainment, published by Ubisoft, and was released for the PC in 2004. In November 2007 it was remade by Powerhead Games, published by Ubisoft and released for Nintendo DS. The Microsoft Xbox version of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation also contains the cases featured in this game.

Nucleosys was a video game developer based in Argentina specializing in the adventure genre.

<i>Lego Batman: The Videogame</i> 2008 video game

Lego Batman: The Videogame is a 2008 action-adventure video game developed by Traveller's Tales and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Nintendo DS, Microsoft Windows, and Mac OS X. The game is based on the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the eponymous LEGO Batman toyline.

<i>Batman & Robin</i> (video game) 1998 video game

Batman & Robin is an action-adventure video game for the PlayStation based on DC Comics character Batman, and the 1997 film Batman & Robin. It was developed by Probe Entertainment and published by Acclaim Entertainment in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics. It is a sequel to Batman Forever, which was based on the 1995 film Batman Forever.

Mystery Case Files is a video game series originally developed by the internal studios of Big Fish Games. Some installments were developed by Eipix Entertainment between 2015 and 2019 and Elephant Games who developed sequels from 2013 to 2014. The newest installments were developed by GrandMA Studios. The Mystery Case Files series is known for its hidden object puzzles where, in order to progress through a game, the player plays the role of a Master Detective and must find a certain number of items hidden somewhere on a painted scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Cell</span> Video game company

5th Cell is an independently owned American video game developer founded in 2003 as 5th Cell Media, LLC. led by Jeremiah Slaczka and Marius Falhbusch. The company is most well known for creating the Drawn to Life and Scribblenauts series.

<i>Shantae: Riskys Revenge</i> 2010 video game

Shantae: Risky's Revenge is a platform video game developed by WayForward Technologies for the Nintendo DSi. The second installment in the Shantae series, Risky's Revenge is the sequel to the 2002 Game Boy Color video game Shantae, and follows series protagonist Shantae as she sets out to stop the ambitions of the nefarious pirate Risky Boots.

References

  1. ↑ Adams, David (2006-03-03). "Scratches Claws Shelves". IGN. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  2. ↑ "Scratches Release Information for PC – GameFAQs" . Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  3. ↑ "Got Game termina i lavori su Scratches". Hardware Upgrade (in Italian). Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  4. ↑ "Scratches Original Soundtrack now available!". November 2006.
  5. ↑ "Videogame Potpourri: Interview with Agustin Cordes (lead developer of Scratches)". Videogamepotpourri.blogspot.com. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "Four Fat Chicks -- Scratches Review". tap-repeatedly.com. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  7. ↑ "Untitled Document". 2005-03-05. Archived from the original on 2005-03-05. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  8. ↑ s.r.o, Sector. "Scratches steny presiaknuté hororom". Sector.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  9. ↑ "Got Game Entertainment "Scratches" North America". home.nestor.minsk.by. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  10. ↑ "Adventure Gamers : Scratches". 2005-02-15. Archived from the original on 2005-02-15. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  11. ↑ "Hororová adventura Scratches hotova | GAMES.CZ". games.tiscali.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  12. ↑ Nerces (2005-06-27). "Micro Application dévoile Scratches de Nucleosys". Clubic.com (in French). Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  13. ↑ s.r.o, Sector. "Scratches obrázky". Sector.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  14. ↑ "Scratches: Director's Cut Review - Mr. Bill's Adventureland". www.mrbillsadventureland.com. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  15. ↑ "Evil Is Ready To Play As Got Game Entertainment Announces "Scratches" Goes Gold". GamesIndustry.biz. 21 February 2006. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  16. ↑ "Gold - Scratches - Blue's News Comments". www.bluesnews.com. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  17. ↑ Scratches on Russobit-M official site (in Russian)
  18. ↑ Scratches: Director's Cut
  19. ↑ Dubin, Jayson (2012-05-04). "Got Game Announces Scratches: Director's Cut". GameZone. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  20. ↑ Wallis, Alistair (15 January 2007). "Q&A: Got Game On PC Adventures, PSP Plans". www.gamasutra.com. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  21. ↑ "Scratches: Director's Cut". GamesIndustry.biz. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  22. ↑ Meridian4 Releases 'Scratches' on Steam - IGN, 21 April 2011, retrieved 2021-04-12
  23. ↑ "Scratches". Metacritic. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  24. ↑ Davis, Ryan (2006-03-24). "Scratches Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  25. ↑ "Got Game Entertainment Scratches and Cuts North America with Scratches: Director's Cut" (Press release). Weston, Connecticut: Got Game Entertainment. March 16, 2007. Archived from the original on November 1, 2007.
  26. ↑ Böke, Ingmar (November 28, 2012). "Agustín Cordes Interview". Adventure Gamers . Archived from the original on December 2, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Scratches:Director's Cut Wants to Scare You Stupid". Wired. ISSN   1059-1028 . Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  28. 1 2 Ivanov, Carmen (27 March 2006). "Got Game's "Scratches" Claws Its Way to The Top". softpedia. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  29. ↑ P, Rohan; ey (2007-03-19). "Scratches: Director's Cut Announced by Got Game Entertainment - GameGuru". Game Guru. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  30. ↑ "Scratches Review". 25 March 2006. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013.
  31. ↑ "Scratches – IGN". November 2021.
  32. ↑ February 2006, Alex_Cooke 16 (16 February 2006). "Scratches bites on PC". gamesradar. Retrieved 2021-04-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ↑ "Game Chronicles - Review". www.gamechronicles.com. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  34. ↑ Scratches - IGN, 7 March 2006, retrieved 2021-04-12
  35. ↑ "Adventurní speciál #5: výlet do sanatoria v lovecraftovské adventuře Asylum | GAMES.CZ". games.tiscali.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2021-04-12.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.