Catherine Box Art: It's All About the T&A

[Shoggoth2588]

Damn...now that they know I'm willing to import, they're testing to see if I'm weak-willed enough to buy both editions...dammit...*reports to play-asia with intent to buy*

You know the U.S. artwork won't be that good...stupid watchdog groups...

 

[d3structor]

Now that I know that they are releasing this on the 360 it makes me think that they are planning a more widespread release for this game.

I am starting to think that they are refusing to say whether they are releasing it outside japan just so more people will speculate and talk about it.

I haven't seen any other Japanese only game getting this much publicity anywhere so I am hopeful that this will be released stateside.

P.S. People need to remember that this is not going to be rated for adults but for teens, ( it is getting a "C" 15 years and up rating) it is going to be suggestive but not pornographic.

 

[superbatranger]

I still can't figure out what this game is supposed to be about.

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

Really hope this comes to the US. This game looks really interesting.

 

[seditary]

Snip

I'll attempt to make this as gentle as possible, which I doubt my ability to do since you thought my previous gentle post was a condemnation. It has everything to do with your prejudices regarding the values of exploring sexuality in gaming, the ability to do so, the merit of that and the nature of sexuality. You think my pointing out that is automatically negative when I never said so, I am saying that your prejudices are leading your posts on the topic and not the facts of the subject and history of the creators.

Indeed there is more to adult life than sex. Sex is a part of adult life and I don't think it should be excluded because there are other things as well to explore. Also I've never been one to not do something simply because other people wouldn't accept it, I'd never do anything then.

You think this game is a massive step too far, I think this is (in your words) a baby step from where we are. Sex is always something to be tackled by reasonable adults, in whatever manner and method they wish. I choose to take this step with Atlus (even though I don't own either a PS3 or 360) and many other people will too, if you don't want to, I'm totally fine with that.

To end, would you believe me if I told you the only reason I did the sex minigame in God of War Ghost of Sparta was to get all the red orbs? Strange isn't it. I believe that games can (and/or should) do more than that, whereas you seem to think otherwise despite both of us thinking the same thing about that example.

 

[Mistermixmaster]

I remember seeing the trailer for this quite some time ago. It's definately on my "getting it once it gets here" list.

One thing that worries me slightly is that it has the "Playstation Network" logo on the PS3 edition. I guess I'm gonna need to disconnect Facebook with PS3 if the trophies (if there are trophies, but the PSN logo makes me think so,) are a bit lewd xD

Oh c'mon, wouldn't a great trophie be "I counquered them both!"

That wouldn't be too bad y'know, for me, but knowing how my dad and a lot of others I know can read the trophy stuff on facebook when I get 'em, it can be a bit bad... I remember all the fuss when I got the "Kill X amount of unbaptized babies"-trophy in Dantes Inferno... That was a loooong discussion on facebook xD

 

[Distorted Stu]

Yano i may jjust get this game to see what the hell Japan is up to. Also, what would the achievments be?!

 

[Vanguard_Ex]

I agree with John that in a strange way, this is actually kinda refreshing. Sure, there's a part of me that wants to roll my eyes when I see it but the plot actually could make for an interesting exploration of sexuality and human nature. I mean, come on, it's not like a plethora of other games haven't used exaggerated gore or 'GUNZ!!1' to sell a game before.

I say we give this title a chance.

 

[antipunt]

Geez, why does this keep getting reported on? I'm getting a little tired of seeing this game pop up in the news everywhere.

It most likely won't even come to the western market outside of Japan either, making it even more of a wonder as to why the Escapist seems to be following it so vehemently. I know it was made by the team behind Persona, but seriously, guys.

I agree with this in the sense that it's depressing to see all this news about a game that I have a high chance of never being able to play.

 

[DJShire]

I remember seeing the trailer for this quite some time ago. It's definately on my "getting it once it gets here" list.

One thing that worries me slightly is that it has the "Playstation Network" logo on the PS3 edition. I guess I'm gonna need to disconnect Facebook with PS3 if the trophies (if there are trophies, but the PSN logo makes me think so,) are a bit lewd xD

Oh c'mon, wouldn't a great trophie be "I counquered them both!"

That wouldn't be too bad y'know, for me, but knowing how my dad and a lot of others I know can read the trophy stuff on facebook when I get 'em, it can be a bit bad... I remember all the fuss when I got the "Kill X amount of unbaptized babies"-trophy in Dantes Inferno... That was a loooong discussion on facebook xD

But "Bad Nanny" was such a cool achievement!

 

[SD-Fiend]

I wan't to get this but I don't have either console

 

[SimuLord]

Fox News treating this game with the same artistic merit as DOA Xtreme Beach Volleyball in 3...2...1...

Though considering gaming's track record with exploring sexuality, they might not be too far off the mark.

 

[duchaked]

so basically if a PS3 fanboy was to argue that the PS3 is better, for an instant here I'd have trouble disagreeing or otherwise

 

[qazmatoz]

Am I the only one who doesn't find these covers to be overly erotic or over the top?

 

[Callate]

It does look interesting. And I'd be very surprised if it made it over here. You'd need to translate it (and it appears fairly dialogue-heavy) and likely find English-speaking voice actors to re-record the dialogue. Someone at Atlus would have to be convinced that there was a market in the United States for what is apparently an adventure game, a genre which hasn't in recent years fared terribly well on computers (TellTale games episodic content aside), let alone on consoles.

And then, most importantly, you'd have to be willing to re-run the gauntlet of Fox News and company "SexBox" idiocy, newly primed with the recurring nightmare of "RapeLay" to believe that the Japanese are trying to turn our children into sexual predators. Because as we all know, video games are for children.

I couldn't honestly blame Atlus if they wanted to forego that.

 

[VanQ]

Lighten up, Francis. If you're looking for intelligent and adult commentary on games that pretty much surpasses any other site out there, then try the weekly magazine. Our news stories are meant to entertain as much as they are to inform, and we have fun with them. Unless you'd rather we do screenshot posts or news updates every time a celebrity of note is seen in public with gaming apparel? I mean, we COULD do that, but we'd really rather not.

On topic: if you really count less than ten stories [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/tag/catherine] as "harping," we're harping on it because it is a game that we, as adults, find absolutely fascinating based on the little we know. It's an adult-focused game from a developer that's previously tackled mature concepts in a thought provoking matter that looks to be about interesting human relationships and one's sexual identity. That? That's plenty adult to me, when compared to "say the right things to get into her pants" a la Mass Effect or "press x to hump" a la God of War (both excellent games in their own right).

Clearly these folks are only trying to illicit a response out of you at this point. Haters gonna hate, there's nothing we can do about it. I for one am incredibly happy to see the escapist reporting on a game that may have otherwise been condemned to obscurity on this side of the pacific. This game may (or may not) be a huge step forward for gaming as an art form. It's INCREDIBLY disappointing that so many are brushing it aside due to their prejudices against Japan. Somehow I wonder if this game was done using Commander Shephard as the protagonist would it be the most anticipated game of 2011? Probably not, but I reckon it'd sure as hell get less flak. Back to the haters gonna hate thing again.
Either way, I'm looking forward to this game and can only hope that the game turns out mature and tasteful.

Oh? This thread was just about the cover art originally wasn't it? Hell then, I have to admit I like the 360 cover more, though I'll be buying it on PS3. Maybe they'll make the covers reversible, I can't resist a chick in glasses. :}

 

[VanQ]

-DOUBLE POST- Ignore this post.