Post by Bytor on Jan 11, 2012 18:19:57 GMT -5
Visuals- 9.0/10
Crisp and clean is the best way to describe the look and feel of Catherine. The game is certainly reminiscent of many typical JRPG's with a certain anime style and a basic representation one often sees in the Shin Megami games, most especially the Persona series. Now some, like myself will love it, others will probably rolls their eyes and ask why JRPG's have to look like this, well they don't HAVE to but it certainly adds to the flavor wouldn't you say, lol. Above and beyond this like or dislike however miss the fact that the various images, whether it be Katherine, Catherine (uh lala), Boss, Erica or Toby they all are drawn well and while certainly over the top are still rendered in a very, very nicely done anime. Japanese influenced certainly but I don't think I can recall a game with images as well defined and drawn as these. The various puzzle areas are also well done, little to no blurring, no clipping, no slow downs, nothing, overall it may not be a visual masterpiece but it is certainly still masterfully done.
-Sound- 9.5/10
The various soundtracks from the actual game and puzzle/battle areas are typically J-Pop/Techno in origin but they are all wonderfully done. It certainly will sound familiar to anyone who has played SMT games in the past but it's just modern enough to sound fresh and exciting. Overall a true delight to listen to with the music fitting the game style wonderfully, and what more can you ask for. Also I adored the jukebox which would set the music to various battle themes from the game, but the real jewel was the inclusion of a couple of tracts from Nocturne and Digital Devil Saga. Simply fantastic.
-Gameplay- 8.0/10
Like many SMT games this game is two different games connected. In one aspect the gameplay plays out as a SIM game where your choices and decisions influence the continuation of the story. This aspect of the game is simple enough but your choices are irrevocable and final. Play one way and the game will follow a certain direction dictated by the way you decide to answer Catherine and Katherine and the interaction with your friends. The s other aspect of the game is one of the hardest and most frustrating puzzle games I have ever played. For the most part I consider the puzzles to be challenging and fair, however, and this is a big however, some aspects of the climbing are in my opinion simply ridiculous hard for the sake of being hard. Example, the blocks below you are falling steadily, some blocks are ice, some blocks are bombs which cause other blocks to crumble, some blocks are immobile, there are crazy sheep trying to knock you off and make matters more fun there is a boss attacking you from below, and sometimes from above as well, it simply gets to be too much at times. The idea is you learn which blocks to pull, which to move and what direction to move them in, unfortunately entirely way too often I felt I didn't have time to think, let alone formulate a plan and move, IMO if things had been a bit less hectic, notice I didn't say easier, I said less hectic, I would have enjoyed the game much more and felt more pride and more of a sense of fulfillment when I finished the levels as opposed to both a sense of relief and a sense of WTF, how did they really think anyone would enjoy that (and don't get me started on the simply ridiculous camera angles at times!!!!!), and yes, a game should be enjoyable dammit. Having said that while I at times hated it, I did. at times really enjoy the insanity, not sure what that says about me or the game, lol!
-Story- 9.5/10
You play as Vincent, a young man at a turning point in his life. His long time girlfriend Katherine wants to take their relationship to the next level. His friends provide advice which ranges from helpful to single guy/dorm living frat jocks who take little serious telling him what to do. One night at the bar he and his friends hang out at he meets Catherine and a one night stand, which develops into a "relationship" occurs. Coincidentally at the same time guys start dying in their sleep under very, very weird conditions, they are found with a look of horror upon their face. At the same time Vincent begins having nightmares where he and other sheep are forced to climb a tower of blocks, which move, change properties and fall at a timed rate. Reach the top and he wakes up, fail, and he dies...or does he...? The basic story is entertaining and a moral struggle, the psychological aspect of the story and the choices Vincent is forced to make is much more riveting. This is an interactive story. The answers and decisions you make influence the story (and obviously the endings) and this provides various ways to actually "play" the game/story. Overall nothing special in the story, but the moral choices make for an extremely, and I mean extremely interesting game! Just some samples....
Does life begin or end at marriage?
Do you look for appearance or personality in a mate?
Would you try to steal your friend's lover?
They definitely will make you think....
-Overall- 8.8/10
When I hated the game I'd give it a freaking 2/10, when I loved it I'd give it a 10/10. The issue is to try and be objective, which is of course impossible as I am giving it a subjective opinionated review. So...I'll say this. As a possible Persona 5 project game it is really, really, really good, borderline great even. But, as a stand alone game I can only rate it well, well above average and while really good, it is not great. It's too hard, too unfair, too frustrating and the SIM aspect is enjoyable but it's still overall a relatively short (12 hrs or so) game.