Review: Catherine

(All pictures are not owned by mean, also Spoiler Warnings)

Wow....just wow.

Just when you think Atlas can't top their already well acclaimed hits Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series, they come up with this game. Catherine is so far the best game I have played all year long and already on my top for Game of the Year. It's a dark puzzle solving erotic horror game that tests your mental abilities as well as your reaction and dealing with pressure.

And it's not just me that declares this game to be so great, the proof is already shown. This is the most rapid selling game in the US that Atlas has ever produce and considering the popularity of games like Persona 3 and 4, that's saying something.

So what makes this game your own personal dream come true? Allow me to explain.

1. Graphics

-Now for those of you who played Atlus's games before, chances are you now what the art work is most likely going to look like. For those of you who don't, Atlus likes to utilize cell shaded graphics while combing anime styled cutscenes. The mixing blend is so well done that it captures the amazing artwork that Japan (where Atlus is based in) is famous for. If you thought the graphics in the Persona games were amazing, then prepare to have your mind blown by Catherine's. Every body movement and face expression (Vincent's are hilarious and pure gold) are unique as that make the characters feel more life like. The amount of detail they put into thEdit HTMLis game is just amazing, but that's why I always trust Atlus because they put the quality of their game so high on the list.

But the best part of the graphics are the Nightmare Stages. This is where the game shines. Over nine levels of pure nightmarish and symbolic stages that each show the trials of Vincent and the sheep as they try to achieve "True Freedom". Not only are the blocks, enemies, and boss (you will be freaked out by them) well designed, but the backgrounds are just eye-dropping. My favorite levels are the Torture Chamber, Clock Tower, and Empireo. Each stage will feel different when you play it and if you look closely you'll see symbol isms of the various themes of the game that stand out.

So graphics? Hell yes.

2. Controls


-This is going to be short for one reason only: Simplest Gameplay Controls Ever! Okay maybe not ever, but you would have to be a complete moron to not understand the controls. You over all will just use the directional pad and two buttons. Yeah that's it.

-Okay maybe I should go more into more detail. You move around block by block with each push of the directional pad. In order to move a block you press one button while moving the directional pad. You then press the button again to release your hold. You can also hand on blocks and by pressing that same button you can let go and fall. Finally, there is a button that uses items, but you can only carry one.

-And that's it. Simplest control scheme ever for such a complex game. I go it all down on the first level and was fine afterwords. Doubt any of you will have problems either with the controls. But mastering them with the blocks is the difficult part.

3. Gameplay

-There is tons of long gameplay. The main game is split into two parts, the days and the Nightmare Stages. During the days your awake, you spend your time watching the main story and talking to characters. Like any Atlus game, their are going to be choices that will effect the story both in the gameplay and at certain points in the game. During your time at the Stray Sheep's Bar you can talk to various characters and answer their questions that will effect your morality meter. You also can hear more about the strange rumors and hints about the truth of the Nightmares (Try to figure it out who it is). What's also cool is that you'll receive text from both girls your dating and, depending on your answer, will affect your morality meter.

-Finally, there are three interesting things to do while in the bar. The first is the jutebox which plays music from all of Altus's previous games, so if you ever wanted to hear Nocturne's theme while having a cocktail, you can do so.The second is drinking. Drinking plays a really important roll in the game believe it or not. The more you drink (which is measured by the bottle interface on the lower left hand scree) the more you'll be able to run faster in the dream while also getting some quiz info on drinks such as cocktails, sake, whiskey, and beer.. Ah, alcohol. the cause and solution to all life's problems. Finally there is Rapunzel, the video game...in a video game. It's just like playing at the nightmare levels only instead of something chasing you, your limited in the amount of blocks you can move till you reach the top. Not only is it good practice for the Nightmare Stages, but it also is pretty addicting.

-After you spend time at the bar it's time for the true part of the game to begin., the Nightmare Stages. There levels require you to climb a wall of blocks before it all falls down and you fall to your death. You have no health bars, only "Mystic Pillows" as your lives. As long as you have one, you can continue the game. Along the way you will encoder various blocks that will either help you (like the spring block) or kill you (like the trap blocks). And not only do you have to worry about these blocks and the falling wall, but you have to watch out for Sheeps and Ants who will try to push you down to your doom. You can stop them by hitting these guys and using items can help you along the way. Each stage has a set of levels and once you bet a level you are then sent to the Resting Place before moving to the next one.

-The Resting Place is where you and every other guy out there (who look like Sheep) can rest for awhile before heading to the next level. Here you can save your game and talk to the sheep and learn techniques that can help you in dealing with the blocks. You can also buy items, answer questions to affect your morality, and just learn more about the game's story. But another hidden thing is the fact that you will see special looking sheep. These guys are people you'll meet at that bar and depending on how you respond to them you'll give them the courage to face their nightmares and survive or leave them in despair that will lead to their horrible deaths. When your ready to head to the next level, you enter the confessional where a mysterious angelic voices gives you a question that will effect your morality at a bigger scale then most questions do.

-Finally, at the end of each stage their is the boss. Each boss represents Vincent's fears and it will chase after you while doing all in it's power to stop you. All these bosses are High Octane Nightmare Fuel that will freak you out. It's so adrenaline to run away from these thing knowing they can kill you in a horrible fashion. The scariest one is the mutant robot baby, that is just a real nightmare for anybody! I mean it has a CHAINSAW FOR A HAND!

-But besides the main story there is also a another mode called "Babel" where two players can play on various stages to see who is the better one. So with this game, plus the sixty somewhat levels in Rapunzel (Plus the extra stages), and the levels in Babel will make sure your entertained for a long time.


-Overall, the game plays like a classic video game when you really thing about it and that's really cool. The gameplay is difficult and you will die a lot, but the feeling you get when you beat a level is just so satsifying.

-So the gameplay is beyond amazing, what about the story?

4. Story

-This really is a horror erotic story they got here. The story is that Vincent, a man in his early thirties, is being pressured by his girl friend Katherine, to get married. Vincent doesn't feel like marring her and is confused on what he should be doing. He also starts to hear rumors that if you fall in a dream you die in real life too and with the strange case of people appearing dead it makes others wonder if it's true. Before Vincent leave for home, he meets a strange but beautiful women named Catherine who, after drinking to much, sleeps with. This is when the nightmares begin. Now Vincent not only has to survive the nightmares, but also figure out what he should do with both Katherine, his girlfriend, and Catherine, a girl who is in love with him.

-The story has a creepy and mysterious tone that just makes you want to find out the ending. Vincent's journey into madness and love is just grade A work and the mystery behind the nightmares and strange Catherine give it a classic psychological horror feel. Though out the course of the game you'll be given a choice between two choices that will determine Vincent's morality measured by a meter. This will not only effect the ending, but Vincent's inner dialogue and attitude will change according to which side he's more on. One side is for the Lawful while the other is for the Chaotic. It's not to hard to figure out which is which and what choice will make you end up with what girl. Instead, play the game as if you were Vincent and choose the honest answers that you come up with, it's more fun that way. I got the normal Katherine ending when I played and I'm not surprised. There is no right or wrong way in this game, because the object is to "free" Vincent from his horrible life. The choice is either Katherine, Catherine, or neither.

-What's also present in the game are the themes. There are many kind of sexual, emotional, and moral based themes that are in the game. Such as is it wrong to be in a relationship that holds you do down? Should you follow what you want in life even if it might be morally wrong? Is marriage really okay? Things like that are what make the game great because it makes you ponder on what is really best for you and the person your in a relationship with.


5. Characters


-What I like about the characters is that each one has their own backstory. Besides Vincent, Katherine, and Catherine who are the main focus of the story, other such as Vincent's friends, the other sheep, and the bartender. They each have a story to tell and each one is written well that makes these secondary characters almost feel like main characters. So props for the writers!

-As for Vincent, the guy is your typical average man who I think most players will understand and get into very well. The real main characters of interest are Katherine and Catherine. Both of these girls are total opposite from each other, but they only have one thing common. Vincent. You'll have to decided which girl you want (or neither if you play your cards right) that you like. Katherine is your kind of women who likes to go steady with life and have things settled with actual effort and commitment through loyalty. Catherine is the kind of girl who likes to have fun and excitement in her life, plus she loves physical relationships. But they do have their downsides. Katherine is a control freak in a way and Catherine is psychotic and seductive. Your going to have to decided which girl you would rather live with and go from there.

OR

6. Sound


-The game features remixes of music done by famous artist such as Beethoven, Bach, Dvorak, Bizet, and Chopin. Each remix is well done and the music they use during the boss battles is enough to make you feel your blood pumping.

-The voice acting is done really well too. With voices done by Troy Baker, Laura Bailey, and Yuri Lowenthal, your going to get your money's worth.

OVERALL 5/5

This game is definitely something you should get. With hours upon hours of gameplay and amazing metaphorical level design this is a game that you'll play for a long time before you put it away.

We are Gamers and we are Legion.

Later