| Scratches | |
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| Developer(s) | Nucleosys |
| Publisher(s) | Got Game Entertainment |
| Released | March 8, 2006 (North America) |
| Genre | Mystery, Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Ratings | ESRB: Teen |
| Platform(s) | PC, (Macintosh & Linux versions planned) |
| Media | CD-ROM |
| Input methods | Keyboard and Mouse |
Scratches is a mystery adventure computer game by game developer Nucleosys. Scratches is the first commercial adventure game ever to be made in Argentina.
Contents |
Description
The game tells the story of the Blackwood estate on the outskirts of Rothbury, a small rural town in Northumberland, England in 1976. Originally owned by James T. Blackwood in 1963, the house is passed to Christopher Milton after Mr. Blackwood is accused of murdering his wife. A couple of days later, Mr. Blackwood dies of a sudden heart attack though some in the town rumor he might have committed suicide. The police decide to close the case seeing there is no further evidence left. Furthermore, shortly after acquiring the house, Chrisopher Milton inexplicably disappears in 1970 leaving no visible trace. The player assumes the role of the house's next inhabitant, Michael Arthate, an author seeking seclusion to work on his next book. He moves in only to find that the house still echoes its horrible past quite literally as scratches are heard all around, particularly in the basement and fireplaces, and soon becomes more interested in researching the house's history than his writing.
Cast
James T. Blackwood: An eccentric gentleman, Mr. Blackwood had always been a prominent figure in Rothbury, his hometown since his childhood, being one of the most successful construction engineers in the region. Although his unpleasant nature, rough features and erratic behavior usually deterred people, except for a few close friends, he was still a respected figure and was in charge of some important building works. Catherine L. Blackwood: James Blackwood's enigmatic wife, an English teacher at a local school in Rothbury, was a quiet and reserved person, peculiarly contrasting with the odd persona of her husband, although she still was well-loved by her friends and students. Christoper E. Milton: An intimate friend and long-time doctor to the Blackwood family. Dr Milton was a curious person. His vast knowledge and expertise of medicine had bestowed upon him a reputation as the most important and beloved doctor in Rothbury. Dr Milton's belief in his science and the value of life were well-known and conferred strong confidence among his many patients. Even though he practised a science that sustains life, his own health was fragile and his looks, in general, sad and weak. Eva Mariani: Miss Mariani, an Italian immigrant and aspiring professional photographer, was the Blackwood family's maid for several years, using her hard-earned money to pay for photography courses, until she discovered that her employer had murdered his wife. She ended up accusing him and, after a troubled investigation, vanished from sight, presumably returning to Italy. William Bailey: Mr Bailey, a now-retired police chief, was in charge of the investigation of the death of Catherine Blackwood in the early 1960s. He was convinced of Mr Blackwood's guilt, but was never able to convict him. Michael Arthate: Michael is an up-and-coming writer. Sales of his acclaimed first novel, Vanishing Town (a reference to Dark Fall), left him with enough wealth to acquire an imposing Victorian mansion, a long-time dream of his. Michael's fascination with the Gothic style is such that it will be featured prominently in his upcoming story. Having just finished writing a successful book, Michael is trying to cope with the pressure of writing a follow-up and fulfilling the expectations of his ever-growing fan base. Michael understands that this is a turning point in his career and his new book will decide whether he is a truly talented writer or just another one-hit wonder. Jerry Carter: An old friend of Michael, Jerry Carter is usually a joyful and interesting person. Opening a real estate agency has definitely been his best move, allowing him to save a generous amount of money without spending too much time working. Nowadays, Jerry's company is the largest estate agency in Rothbury. Put simply, Jerry is in charge of the major house sales in the region, which is how he managed to find the right place for Michael: one of the last truly old-fashioned Victorian mansions. He is currently trying to set up another company in London. Barbara Stiles: Michael hired Barbara as his assistant to aid him with fan mail and to contact magazines around the world, offering them his short stories. It is rather uncommon for a writer to be assisted by someone else, but understandable when one takes into account that Michael has decided to move far away from town, to be seemingly disconnected from the rest of civilization.
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 special sound effects by Cellar of Rats[1], which contribute for the fearsome ambient experienced at the mansion, crypt, greenhouse and church.
Release
Scratches was first released in North America on March 8, 2006 through game publisher Got Game Entertainment. However, Nucleosys 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. The Spanish version of the game (Rasguños) is also in the works, though no official release date has been announced. Nucleosys has recently released a "Director's Cut" version of Scratches, which includes an alternate ending and two more hours of gameplay.[1]
