Why is Catherine getting such great reviews.

[raankh]

I would probably play the game on its own, since I like puzzle platformers, and this seems like an exceptional one. I might have watched the anime, but likely I'd have been abit disappointed by the absolutely (gender-)stereotypical Josei/Seinen characters. The RPG-like parts look mostly boring-- I'm more than a bit fed up with gameless gameplay.

That being said, to me FMV+puzzle games went out of style just after the "7th Guest" was released in 1993. I don't think the subject matter is especially risque or offensive-- I've seen much, much, much worse-- and then I think you're just left with a fragmented, inconsistent and frustrating experience. Which I consider to be the perfectly legitimate reason that FMV+puzzle games after the 90s have been derided as cheap cop-outs telling semi-interactive stories through a computer and calling it a "game".

That's all based on reviews, videos and whatnot, but since that's all I get, this is a no-buy for me.

PS. Just to make it clear; I'm all for a complete and absolutely draconian ban on all full motion video cutscenes in computer games. If cutscenes are what you want, go watch a flippin' movie-- that's one long cut-scene after all, usually done a whole lot better than in a so-called game.

 

[weker]

BUT the gameplay that i have seen of this game looks quite boring and repetitive.

It seems as repetitive as any other game, after all the levels are varied and you get multiple puzzles attacking you at once while under pressure.

 

[Nimzabaat]

I would probably play the game on its own, since I like puzzle platformers, and this seems like an exceptional one. I might have watched the anime, but likely I'd have been abit disappointed by the absolutely (gender-)stereotypical Josei/Seinen characters. The RPG-like parts look mostly boring-- I'm more than a bit fed up with gameless gameplay.

That being said, to me FMV+puzzle games went out of style just after the "7th Guest" was released in 1993. I don't think the subject matter is especially risque or offensive-- I've seen much, much, much worse-- and then I think you're just left with a fragmented, inconsistent and frustrating experience. Which I consider to be the perfectly legitimate reason that FMV+puzzle games after the 90s have been derided as cheap cop-outs telling semi-interactive stories through a computer and calling it a "game".

That's all based on reviews, videos and whatnot, but since that's all I get, this is a no-buy for me.

PS. Just to make it clear; I'm all for a complete and absolutely draconian ban on all full motion video cutscenes in computer games. If cutscenes are what you want, go watch a flippin' movie-- that's one long cut-scene after all, usually done a whole lot better than in a so-called game.

After playing the demo, i'd almost agree. I wouldn't mind a choose-your-own-adventure type movie. But the gameplay was so boring that I don't want to sit through any of it. I remember playing Too Human and hating the gameplay but enjoying the story so much that i'd almost pay someone else to play it. As for Catherine, the gameplay isn't even fun to watch.

 

[raankh]

After playing the demo, i'd almost agree. I wouldn't mind a choose-your-own-adventure type movie. But the gameplay was so boring that I don't want to sit through any of it. I remember playing Too Human and hating the gameplay but enjoying the story so much that i'd almost pay someone else to play it. As for Catherine, the gameplay isn't even fun to watch.

Damn, I've been completely caught up in the steam cloud. The thought never crossed my mind that there might be a demo even though it wasn't on steam.

This all happened 'cause I got a visa-card. I didn't have one that worked on steam before, and paypal was such a hassle. It's just so cheap! I can't resist!

Now ... where's that 360 ....

 

[Fappy]

I love platformers, but have always been the guy who dreads the block-pushing puzzle portions of every Zelda game. However, I actually loved the gameplay in Catherine. Yeah, its fucktardedly difficult, but is actually far less repetitive than it may seem and is a great workout for your brain. I can't wait to start my next playthrough (Staying on Normal though... I can't imagine the game getting any more difficult).

 

[DesiPrinceX09]

I love puzzle platforming and while Catherine is unique and the story seems great but I have absolutely no interest in that game. Since when did not liking a game like Catherine make you a non gamer? I thought disliking uber manly games like call of duty or battlefield because of their testosterone filled gameplay and explosions made you a non gamer? (I do dislike call of duty)

I prefer games like assassin's creed, uncharted, god of war, and inFamous. Plus I really don't like anything anime related....

 

[thenamelessloser]

From the demo my main problems with the gameplay are that i HATE time limits and the primary gameplay in the game feels more like a mini game in a PS2 JRPG such as one of the Xenosagas had a puzzle game that was optional and seemed to last a pretty long time.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Please do not take this thread as a hater thread, i am very interested in what you all have to say especially the people who have played this game.

Unique, hectic, gameplay.

It takes puzzle game fun and adds "oh crap, a horrible THING is going to kill me!" to make it more exciting. Plus, it does a good job of making you care about Vincent, so you're honestly concerned if he dies (rather than simply losing the game).

 

[FalloutJack]

Heh, it's an Atlus game. You shouldn't be so surprised. They release unusual games and we eat them up.

 

[Omnific One]

Because it's weird. Any flaws are automatically interpreted as purposeful actions by the designer, who was beyond high at the time.

 

[PureAussieGamer]

-snip-

Wait. So you haven't played it, the only things you know about it come from reviews and gameplay trailers, and you've already decided it's shit? And not only that, but you are taking those judgments based on nothing and questioning the judgments of professional reviewers so have actually played the game? Do you not see what is wrong with this picture?

How about you actually play the game before deciding it's shit, hm? What you've said here is like reviewing a movie based on the trailer, except even less inaccurate because movies are passive experiences that only last an hour or two. You are basing 15 hours or more of interactive gameplay on a few minutes of passive images.

I had not decided anything yet. I was simply curious to what you all thought of the game to maybe sway me to get it or not. As i said i love the style of the story and how its being told but for me the gameplay looks boring. I have gotten mixed answers from people which was what i was hoping for.

There is always one person who takes a simple conversation to heart. Its ok mate.

 

[Lilani]

I had not decided anything yet. I was simply curious to what you all thought of the game to maybe sway me to get it or not. As i said i love the style of the story and how its being told but for me the gameplay looks boring. I have gotten mixed answers from people which was what i was hoping for.

There is always one person who takes a simple conversation to heart. Its ok mate.

I think I mainly took umbrage with the way you worded the topic. "Why is Cathrine getting such great reviews" implies that you are taking into question whether or not it deserves the reviews it's getting. That combined with the fact that you hadn't even played it just pissed me right off. If you wanted to ask how gameplay was, you should have just asked "How is the gameplay in Cathrine?" That way everybody doesn't come in here thinking this is some sort of discussion on the merit of the game reviews.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

I like the idea of the gameplay but the storyline looks a little geared towards men to me. It doesn't give me the impression that they intended women to want to play it. Which is why I haven't bothered with it. No point in putting myself in a position to be offended when I can just leave it to who it was intended for. Maybe I have gotten the wrong impression of it though. I don't know.

 

[Drakmeire]

I'd suggest playing it.
I've been playing since I've gotten it and the repetition never feels like a problem, it's almost hypnotic and additive as you better your skills and climb faster.
All puzzle games are "repetitive" but they know how to be the same the whole way through but keep you playing and that's what Cathrine is, a great puzzle game.

 

[Swny Nerdgasm]

people feel obligated to like this game in order to be a "real gamer" hence why IGN gave it 9 out of 10.

Does the fact that I refuse to play the game because it has anime cutscenes mean I'm not a real gamer? Cause I don't think so.

 

[dancinginfernal]

Perhaps it's good, or perhaps people have different opinions.

Because it's weird. Any flaws are automatically interpreted as purposeful actions by the designer, who was beyond high at the time.

If that was true, Deadly Premonition would've received 8's across the charts.

 

[azzair]

It might not be for everyone, but the story is good. It has more depth than just cheat on gf and have nightmares, it really goes into other shit too. Won't discuss any cause of spoilers.
Also, I love the gameplay, each level of difficulty really adds to the already difficult game, making towers higher and having more obstacles. I started off on normal but was forced to turn it down to casual, and still I get stuck from time to time.
If you like puzzles you will like this game, it offers a great challenge.

Btw, multiple endings and multiplayer fun adds a lot to it.

 

[Pappeska]

I want to play it, but just for the puzzles. The story seems completely uninteresting to me, but I love puzzles and the ones in Catherine looks (and the ones in the demo was) fun.