Catherine

[DragoonMog]

Posted this in PS3 section because that's the version I bought, but it's available on 360 also.

Just wondering if anyone else picked up this crazy game by Atlus. It's by the Persona Team, and it is a Mature puzzle game of sorts. Plays sorta like Q*Bert, but more sexy and adult themed. You push/pull and climb you way up the blocks, while avoiding traps and other obstacles. The game in between stages takes place in a bar, and involves you playing an arcade machine, getting drunk, and juggling two girls via text messages. There is also an interesting use of in game online polling where you are asked morality questions and get to see how other player answered. The arcade game in the bar is called Rapunzel, and uses the same mechanics as the main game, but with different graphics.

The story is that your a guy who's girlfriend, Katherine, is pressuring to marry her, when you get drunk and in up cheating on her with a girl named, Catherine. Him and other men in the city who cheat start having crazy nightmares where they are climbing a tower of blocks that is crumbling. The ones who fall die in real life. Everyone in the dream look like sheep. A bunch of them are in a panic and will try to push and fight you to the top of the tower.

The game has be really cool and unique so far. Lots of well animated anime cut scenes and good voice acting. Some stages can get frustrating, but are not unsolvable.

I got the Deluxe Edition that came with all the nerdy swag.

[Burgertime]

I'm on the 5th night in the game, and I'm really loving it. I picked up the deluxe edition too.
It's a shame that there is so much confusion about what the game is about. I've seen people think that the game has full frontal nudity and sex.

[GameGavel]

It is Atlus's best selling launch game at this point. So it must be good! Atlus is awesome!

[indieseoul]

Isn't this that sex sim game? Oh right it's that horror puzzle game where you date two chicks named catherine Katherine.

[DragoonMog]

See my first post for my description of the game. The game is very sexy, but it is not hentai or porn. Not that there is anything wrong with porn.

Here is a quick game play video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIsdbjtd7j0

[DragoonMog]

That's good that it is selling well. I think this game is suppose to be the Persona Team testing the waters for future releases on next gen consoles, so if this sells well maybe we will see a Persona or main series Shin Megami Tensei game on something other than the PS2 and handhelds soon.

[DragoonMog]

I just finished the game on easy. Really enjoyed the game. Frustrated me a little at moments, but felt good when I finally got through a tough spot.

The game has multiple endings. I got an ending with Katherine as my girl. Started a new save. Going to be mean to Katherine and be nice to Catherine this time. Also, going to go back to the beginning of stage nine and see if I can get variations on my other ending.

[SubaruBrat]

This game was plastered all over E3, WTF is it all about?

[SubaruBrat]

I read it, and still don't get it, perhaps you just have to see it.

[Todd1780]

I read it, and still don't get it, perhaps you just have to see it.

The "Adult" and "mature" references are due to the dark story mainly...not nudity or sex or anything.
Its sort of 2 games in 1. Its a sort of puzzle game/relationship simulator mash-up.
I played through it and while I was impressed with the characters and the story...the puzzle game feels like something that should be in the XBox live arcade...not a $60 release.
The Q-Bert references are valid...the puzzle game part does have the same feel as Q-bert.
Its basically a continuation of the Persona series...if that helps. Much like a spiritual successor.
Not really my cup of tea...but its a good game.