Obscure II: The Aftermath is a survival horror game that follows a group of college students as they become entangled in a terrifying mystery surrounding hallucinogenic black flowers on their campus. These strange blossoms, which cause violent mutations and nightmarish visions, unleash chaos across Leafmore University. As the students investigate, they must battle monstrous creatures born from the plants and uncover the origins of the infestation. The game blends teen horror tropes with grotesque body horror, delivering a story that mixes dark comedy, youthful recklessness, and gruesome survival.
Developed by Hydravision Entertainment, the game was first released in Europe in 2007 and later brought to North America in 2008 under the title Obscure: The Aftermath. It served as the sequel to Obscure (2004), continuing the developer’s homage to slasher films and teen-oriented horror. The sequel was published by Playlogic and made available on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, and PC. Unlike many horror games of the era, Obscure II leaned heavily into B-movie influences, pairing survival horror with campy humor, cooperative play, and exaggerated monster design. This distinct tone set it apart from the grittier psychological horrors that dominated the mid-2000s.
Gameplay
The gameplay builds upon the foundation of the first game but with added refinements. Players can control pairs of characters and switch between them at will, making cooperative play a central feature. Each character has unique abilities that contribute to puzzle-solving, such as hacking, lockpicking, or physical strength, requiring strategic use of the cast to progress. Combat features a mix of melee and ranged weapons, but ammunition and health are limited, staying true to survival horror traditions. The co-op design encourages teamwork, either with a friend locally or by managing both characters when playing solo. The combination of puzzles, combat, and character-specific skills adds variety while still keeping tension high.
Visuals & Style
The visual style of Obscure II embraces its cinematic horror inspirations. Environments include dimly lit dormitories, abandoned classrooms, botanical labs, and twisted dreamscapes corrupted by the monstrous plant infestation. The design of the creatures reflects grotesque botanical body horror, with human figures warped into plant-like abominations. The soundtrack, composed by Olivier Derivière and performed by the Children’s Choir of the National Opera of Paris, creates a chilling contrast between youthful innocence and overwhelming dread. The mixture of orchestral music and choir arrangements adds emotional weight, elevating the game’s horror presentation beyond its campy narrative.
Importance in Survival Horror History
Obscure II is significant as one of the few survival horror games to fully embrace the slasher and teen-horror movie formula. While other franchises were moving toward action-heavy gameplay, Hydravision leaned into campy storytelling, cooperative play, and a blend of gore with humor. It highlighted how survival horror could adapt to pop culture influences outside of Japanese psychological horror or American zombie narratives. Its emphasis on teamwork and unique character abilities also showed an experimental approach within the genre, anticipating the rise of multiplayer and co-op horror experiences in later years.
Reception vs Historical Value
At release, the game received mixed reviews. Critics often pointed to its awkward controls and uneven voice acting but praised its atmosphere, co-op gameplay, and soundtrack. Fans of the original appreciated the continuation of its playful yet unsettling tone. Over time, Obscure II has grown in cult status, especially among players who enjoy unconventional survival horror experiences. Historically, it is remembered as an odd but creative entry that dared to mix teen-movie clichés with body horror and cooperative mechanics, offering something very different from mainstream survival horror franchises of the late 2000s.
Availability & Collectibility
Obscure II was released across several platforms, including PlayStation 2, Wii, PSP, and PC. While not extremely rare, physical copies have become harder to find due to the closure of the developer and the game’s relatively niche following. Prices for the game vary depending on platform, with Wii and PlayStation 2 versions being the most common on secondhand markets. Its cult reputation, combined with limited availability of modern re-releases, has made it a desirable title for collectors of survival horror. For many fans, owning it represents a unique piece of the genre’s experimental phase during the mid-to-late 2000s.
Available on Steam:
Obscure II (Obscure: The Aftermath) on Steam
Trailer: