Catherine Review

[ProjectTrinity]

I'm 4 hours in (Boss 3). Three adjectives for you all:

-Trippy
-Stressful
-Fun(?)

I love the scripting and the voice acting - per always from the Persona team. Not that dub-haters would know the difference between a good dub and a bad one, but for the sane world, God yes is it awesome. I just wish some of the questions were less ambiguous, as if they're trying to say a legit opinion is wrong. D< Glad the review was shining as well. :3

 

[Grey_Focks]

Eh, I played the demo, and while I can see the story being interesting, I just did not enjoy the gameplay at all, and that killed it for me.

 

[Delock]

After finishing up my first run through, I can safely say this was one of those rare games worth the full price. Plus I got some great music for preordering (and a rather barebones artbook, but the thought was nice).

It's definitely an Atlus game, as you'll see in the story, art design, and especially the difficulty (thank you for including the easy mode, post difficulty patch, in the NA version).

 

[Xan Krieger]

So is the game fun for people who have no desire for sex? It just seemed so creepy, especially that title screen where he's wrapped with barbed wire. Also a monster that shoots things out of it's vagina? WTF? I haven't seen things this trippy since I badly OD'd on painkillers.

 

[mikev7.0]

Looks decent, if only a tad dull. But you wouldn't BELIEVE how terrible of an experience I had with the demo my first time around. Eveything was going fine, up until the part that was mostly immovable blocks. For whatever reason I just had one block floating on top of the edges of 2 immovable unreachable blocks, making the level incompletable. I didn't know I was stuck, I thought the game was just being difficult. I spent ages trying to figure out what do and it was frustrating as hell, because everytime I went back down to the movable blocks to see if I could fix it, the floor would collapsse under me and I'd have to redo the level, only to end up in the same imossible scenario. I was buttmad to the point where I ragequitted and deleted the demo. But leaving the demo unfinished was tearing me apart, I didn't wanna let that game beat me, so I redownloaded it, only to find out that this time the block was in a spot I could use to make stairs, and my last session I was just somehow stuck the whoole time.....wow.

despite the fact that block jumping is kind of a stale concept even with the fucked up things that are trying to kill ya, imo, the story seems interesting but I think I'll skip this one, I buy games for gameplay and even though the challenge is there, the overall gameplay's just kind of lacking, I mean it's BLOCK CLIMBING. Even with the craziness and hectic boss stages (not boss FIGHTS, stages. as far as I know you cant defend yourself, only run) it's just a dull concept, even for a puzzle game. Plus, the demo just left a really bad taste in my mouth, I suppose. X|

You are not alone. I think the most important part of the review that was missing was the simple sentance "For the love of all that which doth not suck play the Demo first!!"
Then again that probably wouldn't help sell games and when a site does a special video for the unboxing of the deluxe edition? Come on people....

Huh? What does the unboxing video have to do with anything? We've run plenty of unboxing videos (or news posts) in the past.

Not from what I've seen, then again I don't read every article or video review that is here. Not by a long shot. For one, you don't actually see fit to review most of the games I buy. That's fine, but when you ignore most of Atlus's as well as other companies other releases that are every bit as good as this one (Obviously in my opinion I think they are a lot better than this one.) yet seem so focused on Catherine it makes me wonder why. Divinity II has a great a story and some very new (and fun) game mechanics like freaking mind reading in exchange for xp in a game where grinding really isn't an option. Oh. You also can morph into a dragon and make your own creature from parts of defeated ones yet do you ever hear about that game? Nope. Where were all the "I have to buy this to support ATLUS!" fanfolk then? Then again Divinity II while featuring many powerful female characters does sport an alarming lack of titties and sexual situations so I guess that's just not the ATLUS they want to support.

The unboxing video due to it's lack of content or even entertainment value just struck me as odd especially since most of it's contents are just cheaply made fanboy fodder. I see a lot of gamers getting buyer's remorse due to this game as well as missing better experiences and reviewers have historically helped me avoid that before. Thank god for the demo because had I based my decision on your glowing review of an average game I would have been one of them. Thankfully there was a demo so at the very least I got to experience the spotty controls and shallow (as in you do a total of 5 basic things) actual gameplay for myself. What you call "hair pulling" difficulty is logically speaking just those 5 things run through a mind numbing series of needless complications that require not skill but trial and error and repetition. Again that's just my opinion. I just happen to think it is every bit as valid as yours.

 

[Juan Regular]

Errr, by good voice acting, you mean compared to all the horrible voice acting animes get, right? Because it sounds pretty awful to me.

 

[mikev7.0]

You are not alone. I think the most important part of the review that was missing was the simple sentance "For the love of all that which doth not suck play the Demo first!!"

Then again that probably wouldn't help sell games and when a site does a special video for the unboxing of the deluxe edition? Come on people....

Do you see conspiracies everywhere, or is it just in videogame reviews?

Beg pardon? I never said anything about a conspiracy. Those are your words. I meant to imply that a site that has carried as many articles and given as much press to this game as the Escapist has, is very likely to also give it a glowing review. I'm sure you can do the math as to why. I find this upsetting as Catherine is by no means one of the best games in my opinon or deserving of an almost perfect review. It's average. Then again the Escapist took another average game with disturbing imagery and destroyed it. I'm learning things work different here. Not so much conspiracy as spin. Basically to me if it quacks, has downy stuff, webbed feet, and a bill, it should not be so defensive when someone suggests that it probably recieved it's advanced education in Oregon.

Yet do I see conspiracies everywhere? No. Although to be honest those 4th dynasty pyramids are looking more than a bit suspect. (Yet in a very good way so I'm cool with even them.)

 

[mikev7.0]

I love puzzle games really. I'm still trying to get a copy of Steal Princess and Atlus makes some of my favorite games but I have to respectfully and totally disagree with you about Katherine. Faithful or no, the amount you actually get to play versus the inane soap opera you're forced to sit through makes it difficult not because of the puzzles (those were easy so I really disagree there, too.) but because of the story and the characters that I could care less about if I tried really hard.

I think what turned me off most (other than the easy puzzles.) was that you don't actually get a choice about cheating on Katherine the one character that seemed to have their life sorta' together (except the bit about not having already left a wishy washy non-productive relationship.)

So, you don't like soap opera style stories....and thus Susan is a fraud? What?

If you don't like the basic concept of the story (something you can glean from watching, even a single, trailer), then don't buy the game. Susan said (twice) that this isn't a game for everyone. That doesn't mean she has to give the game a no-star rating because "some people" won't like it at all.

Every game has....not, haters....more like "honest dislikers", even gems like Portal 2. What's the problem?

I'm sorry but when did I say miss Arendt was a fraud? I said that I respecfully and totally disagreed with her. That's not at all the same thing.

I don't want Catherine to get a no-star rating. I would like to see a game that is admittedly "not for everyone" not get a nearly perfect score while other also average games get panned nearly out of existence or not even looked at when there's really nothing technically or objectively wrong with them.

So just consider me an "honest disliker" then who would like to see the personal excitement toned down a bit in favor of a more objective review.

 

[feycreature]

Genre: Family/Puzzle

What? Since when is a game that's main theme is sex and adultery, a family one?

xD

An honest one

*Applause*

Don't think I'll ever play this game.

I have an irrational hatred for cheating and the spineless bastards who do it.

Vincent sounds like a guy who I'd genuinely hate, and there aren't many of those.

Ah, but then you get to see him punished for cheating with terrifying and potentially fatal nightmares. You could think of it less as you being him and more as you being a little ignored angel on his shoulder enjoying as he's put through the ringer night after night for not LISTENING to you. Except that you still have to keep him alive, you are the angel after all.

Or, you know, not. I just find the scenario amusing ^^

If I had anything I could play this on I would probably do so. Oh well.

 

[mikev7.0]

Oh wow, great score and great review to boot? *o*

Catherine is definitely not a game for everyone, and your making me re-think playing easy mode and going for normal, which is both intimidating and crazy to me, but dammit.. I think.. i can do this.. lol

Stick with it! I promise you, you'll get better as you go. I struggled for aaaaages on the second boss, and then went back and did it in one try when capturing footage for this review. I was like "Huh...I can't remember what I found so hard about this."

Okay, I'll play it on normal.. i hope I don't pull my hair out. lol

Oh, well...you will. Just grab as many pillows as you can! (They're extra lives.)

Random question: Why didn't John review it? He seemed to always be the one posting Catherine articles and loves the Persona team. Not cracking on you, I'm just wondering why John didn't jump at the chance to review it.

Seniority has its privileges, and I've been looking forward to this game for ages. Also, John is no longer with The Escapist. He's off to China to teach English.

Well at least the admitted bias explains how this game got such a glowing review and a great score, seriously, I appreciate that because before I read that post I was wondering if I had demoed the same game.

I love puzzle games really. I'm still trying to get a copy of Steal Princess and Atlus makes some of my favorite games but I have to respectfully and totally disagree with you about Katherine. Faithful or no, the amount you actually get to play versus the inane soap opera you're forced to sit through makes it difficult not because of the puzzles (those were easy so I really disagree there, too.) but because of the story and the characters that I could care less about if I tried really hard.

I think what turned me off most (other than the easy puzzles.) was that you don't actually get a choice about cheating on Katherine the one character that seemed to have their life sorta' together (except the bit about not having already left a wishy washy non-productive relationship.)

Isn't the Escaptist a place that believes player choice (especially critical choices) is one of the most important things in a game? Then again you already explained the high score so there's that. So maybe that's just Extra Credits.

Yes I've been really hard on Catherine, that's because I know Atlus and they can do a lot better than this. I'm not quite as eagerly awaiting their next attempt. Not while teams are producing games like Child of Eden that cost a lot less money.

It's okay Atlus I still really really like you as a friend.

You honestly believe I gave the game the score I did because I was looking forward to the game? You can't be serious.

I certainly understand your complaint that the story doesn't let you decide to cheat or not - it's necessary for the plot for Vincent to keep banging away at Catherine, and that's what he does, whether you want him to or not. Player choice is not the singlemost important determination in a game's quality, and the lack of it with regard to Vincent's adultery does not doom this game.

There are many reasons why someone might not enjoy this game - the difficulty level, the design of the puzzles, the overall weirdness, and the aspect you brought up. That doesn't change the fact that the story is extremely well presented and the puzzles are quite ingenious.

Yes I do, and yes I can. That isn't for you to say. It is possible for someone who has followed games and their industry as long as I have to say and to believe that.

I said that player choice is one of the most important aspects of a game and just pointed out that from my experience it was lacking.

You're right there really are many reasons why someone might not enjoy this game. Too bad that wasn't in your professional review. "It might not be for everyone" doesn't quite cut it. Not when you give it an almost perfect score which in my mind should be logically reserved for only the best of games. The story being "extremely" well presented is a fact??!! That I will disagree with. Vehemently. It's your opinion and nothing more. That you would state it as fact only vindicates my doubt.

The puzzles are ingenious? The LAZER is ingenious. Fractal Geometry is ingenious. These puzzles are on the level of See Spot Run. That is only my opinion as that's all it can be. Well y'know unless you're you of course. Then it's factual apparently.

How... in the world can you disagree with a story that you have not even heard of yet.../ experienced. You know she isn't the only reviewer to say that right? Do you live in a tiny bubble? *pokes bubble*

Can't you just go back to the whole: "I'm not going to bother to try and understand you anymore.." thing? That works for me.

I have seen the story and (sadly) played part of it first hand. What part of "I've played the demo and followed the game since it's inception" do you not get? It's a typical loser meets succubus story except rather than handle it comedically they are apparently using Days of Our Lives as a filter.

An' leave my bubble alone! It's there to keep out the stupid.

 

[keideki]

Catherine Review

As difficult and fascinating as the woman in the title.

Read Full Article

Why is the genre Family/puzzle?

Either way I ordered the Love is Over edition from Amazon and got it same day. I'm about half way through the game and I have to say I am loving it. I playing the upstanding boyfriend first, then after that I will replay to make the most of my dalliance with Catherine.

 

[GrizzlerBorno]

I'm sorry but when did I say miss Arendt was a fraud? I said that I respecfully and totally disagreed with her. That's not at all the same thing.

I don't want Catherine to get a no-star rating. I would like to see a game that is admittedly "not for everyone" not get a nearly perfect score while other also average games get panned nearly out of existence or not even looked at when there's really nothing technically or objectively wrong with them.

So just consider me an "honest disliker" then who would like to see the personal excitement toned down a bit in favor of a more objective review.

You are implying that Susan's personal hype for the game has clouded her judgement, which is the primary reason why it got a high score (as opposed to the fact that she genuinely thinks it's a good game). That is an accusation of Fraudulence.

 

[mikev7.0]

I'm sorry but when did I say miss Arendt was a fraud? I said that I respecfully and totally disagreed with her. That's not at all the same thing.

I don't want Catherine to get a no-star rating. I would like to see a game that is admittedly "not for everyone" not get a nearly perfect score while other also average games get panned nearly out of existence or not even looked at when there's really nothing technically or objectively wrong with them.

So just consider me an "honest disliker" then who would like to see the personal excitement toned down a bit in favor of a more objective review.

You are implying that Susan's personal hype for the game has clouded her judgement, which is the primary reason why it got a high score (as opposed to the fact that she genuinely thinks it's a good game). That is an accusation of Fraudulence.

Where I live fraud is an actual charge for an actual crime. I was trying to imply that no reviewer that was, in my opinion, trying to be honest and objective would give this game a nearly perfect score, and that what she says in the review itself as well as in her posts does not match the score. Take that as you will.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Genre: Family/Puzzle

You were kidding about the family part, right?

 

[Logan Westbrook]

You are not alone. I think the most important part of the review that was missing was the simple sentance "For the love of all that which doth not suck play the Demo first!!"

Then again that probably wouldn't help sell games and when a site does a special video for the unboxing of the deluxe edition? Come on people....

Do you see conspiracies everywhere, or is it just in videogame reviews?

Beg pardon? I never said anything about a conspiracy. Those are your words. I meant to imply that a site that has carried as many articles and given as much press to this game as the Escapist has, is very likely to also give it a glowing review. I'm sure you can do the math as to why. I find this upsetting as Catherine is by no means one of the best games in my opinon or deserving of an almost perfect review. It's average. Then again the Escapist took another average game with disturbing imagery and destroyed it. I'm learning things work different here. Not so much conspiracy as spin. Basically to me if it quacks, has downy stuff, webbed feet, and a bill, it should not be so defensive when someone suggests that it probably recieved it's advanced education in Oregon.

Yet do I see conspiracies everywhere? No. Although to be honest those 4th dynasty pyramids are looking more than a bit suspect. (Yet in a very good way so I'm cool with even them.)

Sorry mate, I'm British; I have no idea what "probably recieved it's advanced education in Oregon" means.

Anyway, am I right in thinking that the thrust of your argument is that because you didn't like Catherine, it shouldn't have received the score it did, and the fact that it did receive that score, means that we're either on the take, or bad at our jobs?

 

[Charmi the ninja]

Looks fun and challenging. I so want to play this
But Cathreen! Y U No come to PC??

 

[Susan Arendt]

So is the game fun for people who have no desire for sex? It just seemed so creepy, especially that title screen where he's wrapped with barbed wire. Also a monster that shoots things out of it's vagina? WTF? I haven't seen things this trippy since I badly OD'd on painkillers.

The sex is all implied - you don't see anything more hot and heavy than kissing on screen. The story is about relationships, and the various pitfalls - and rewards - they contain. And of course, the actual gameplay has nothing to do with sex at all. (Erm...ok, that one boss is a sex monster, but you get my drift.)

You are not alone. I think the most important part of the review that was missing was the simple sentance "For the love of all that which doth not suck play the Demo first!!"

Then again that probably wouldn't help sell games and when a site does a special video for the unboxing of the deluxe edition? Come on people....

Do you see conspiracies everywhere, or is it just in videogame reviews?

Beg pardon? I never said anything about a conspiracy. Those are your words. I meant to imply that a site that has carried as many articles and given as much press to this game as the Escapist has, is very likely to also give it a glowing review. I'm sure you can do the math as to why. I find this upsetting as Catherine is by no means one of the best games in my opinon or deserving of an almost perfect review. It's average. Then again the Escapist took another average game with disturbing imagery and destroyed it.

How do you know the game is average if you haven't played it?

In any event, has it not crossed your mind that the reason we kept running so much Catherine material was that our audience was extremely interested in the game? If we run a post about Catherine, and it gets a lot of traffic, yes, of course we're going to run more information about Catherine, because clearly it's something our audience wants to know about.

 

[Slycne]

I meant to imply that a site that has carried as many articles and given as much press to this game as the Escapist has, is very likely to also give it a glowing review. I'm sure you can do the math as to why. I find this upsetting as Catherine is by no means one of the best games in my opinon or deserving of an almost perfect review. It's average. Then again the Escapist took another average game with disturbing imagery and destroyed it. I'm learning things work different here. Not so much conspiracy as spin. Basically to me if it quacks, has downy stuff, webbed feet, and a bill, it should not be so defensive when someone suggests that it probably recieved it's advanced education in Oregon.

If you took a moment to stop impugning our integrity and stepped away from this specific review you disagree with. You'd find that your implications simply don't hold water. For example, if that was correct then Duke Nukem Forever (which we ran 14 trailers for as opposed to the 6 we ran for Catherine) should have received a "glowing review" instead of a 2 out of 5. That game also had far more actual sexual content than Catherine, which you seem to support as the only reason anyone gives a damn about it. Likewise on the flip side, games like Terraria or Frozen Synapse (both of which only had a single trailer posted) were games that I personally really enjoyed despite them both coming out of left field hypewise.

 

[AbstractStream]

snip.

snip.

Yeah,Normal is still hard as hell.
I got my deluxe edition today (Fuck Amazon,you're fast!) and I'm currently wearing the "Empty" shirt that came with it. I'm on stage 4 already which means I'm halfway there.

I agree. If normal is like this, can't imagine difficult. You really must be a masochist to play on that difficulty.
I managed to sneak in some gameplay yesterday and the second stage got me for a bit. It took some getting used to. After that, honestly I have no idea what I did, but I kept climbing so that's a good thing. (I'm on stage 4 as well ^^)
Now I'm regretting not getting the deluxe edition. Damn!