Zero Punctuation: Catherine

[zombiejoe]

Fine review.

I actually played the game twice. The second time, I wanted to get the best neutral ending because [spoiler/]You go to spaaaaaaaaaaaaaacccccceeeeee[/spoiler]. I thought it was fun. But not too much replay value.

Oh, and the multiple endings are don't really matter on how "good" or "evil" you are. While that does matter, it also has to do with [spoiler/]The final questions at the last level[/spoiler]

 

[ckam]

As an anime fan, I agree with you that Neon Genesis Evangelion sucks.

 

[AbstractStream]

Haha, I've been looking forward to this review. Although I love the game, I quite enjoyed the ZP review on it as well. Though I agree with Yatzee on one thing. I freaking hated/still hate the reverse controls when you go behind a block.

 

[SuperSuperSuperGuy]

That ending joke was really good. I'd say that this review is the best one in a while.

Despite its various flaws, I liked Catherine. The only things that give it real replay value are the multiple endings, a couple of the puzzles can be difficult and it's a little bit short, but it's a fun little romp while it lasts. The art style is pretty good, and the concept is unique. Overall, not bad.

 

[WanderingFool]

I think Vincent may even surpass Kratos and Duke Nukem in his quest to become the most unlikable protagonist ever.

Didnt he do that before the game even came out?

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

I think Vincent may even surpass Kratos and Duke Nukem in his quest to become the most unlikable protagonist ever.

I liked kratos, hes a badass

GoW 1 Kratos was a badass who actually had a decent motive and sympathetic traits. GoW 2/3 Kratos was just a prick.

 

[BrainWalker]

Alright, I need a t-shirt that says "All women are dykes" and I need it now. Go go Escapist/SpitReason designer teams!

That sounds like a really good way to get punched/kicked in the face/balls.

Not to be confused with getting punch-kicked in the faceballs.

And I need a t-shirt that says "I'm not misogynist, I only hate the bitchy ones."

This is a much better idea. Still kinda assy but in a funny way and not blatantly inflammatory.

 

[Fearzone]

If the game treats the male characters so badly isn't it misandristic (?) rather than misogynistic? Or is the game just overall misanthropic?

I agree that Catherine is more misandronystic, giving us Vincent as a straw-man representative of an ineffectual man in that situation. It all comes off as a 70's sit-com portrayal of an affair, and makes me wonder if the game designers have ever had one.

Not that 70's sit-coms weren't a great moment in TV history...

I admit the block puzzle solving of Catherine looks pretty fun but I think it is overpriced. Will buy when it gets down to around $20. Watching a LP in the meantime.

 

[Senaro]

It's a good thing the English versions had a way to distinguish Catherine and Katherine by spelling. There was zero difference in the way their names were spelled in the original. Make for one hell of a confusing script.

 

[Jumplion]

I think I actually enjoy Vincent's constant indecisive nature and basically pussy attitude. It has almost a schadenfreude aspect to it.

He's a complete wienie, incapable of manning up, and throughout the game the player makes decisions (not choices, there's a slight distinction that I think is important in that the player doesn't make any huge "choices", just minor "decisions" that morph out Vincent reacts to certain things) that eventually make him man up and accept his situation. Depending on the 8 different endings, it all comes together nicely regardless of which ending you get as they more or less follow what the player has been deciding through the game. The neutral endings are actually kind of sweet, I think.

 

[samaugsch]

Well, I loved the game, but I accept that someone might not like it. Well off you for importing the game, though

You know who actually do seem to act like sheep though? A lot of ZP fans

This is true. Everyone alive knows it. Talk about any game on here, and the rampant opinion will be "BEST GAME EVAR!" if Yahtzee liked it and "WORST GAME EVAR!" if Yahtzee despised it. Tragic really.

Still, his opinions can say a lot about games. Take his Too Human game for instance. He seems to consider it the worst game he's reviewed, but it doesn't mean it will be to you. However, I wouldn't think it would be anything particularly interesting, either. Pretty much anything better could be given some consideration, though there were at least two games he didn't like that I did (Bioshock 2 and Alone in the Dark 5).

 

[samaugsch]

*double post :/*

 

[Senaro]

Fine review.

I actually played the game twice. The second time, I wanted to get the best neutral ending because [spoiler/]You go to spaaaaaaaaaaaaaacccccceeeeee[/spoiler]. I thought it was fun. But not too much replay value.

Oh, and the multiple endings are don't really matter on how "good" or "evil" you are. While that does matter, it also has to do with [spoiler/]The final questions at the last level[/spoiler]

You should try for the ending where you get to become King of the Underworld. I forgot I wasn't playing Disgaea for a moment.

 

[Toeys]

Explain to me WHY....WHYYYYY i always have to see these damn Venus razorblade adverts when i watch escapist videos? Yes... this is what we who are from norway and dont have publishers club membership get treated with. It cant be much more unrelated than razorblades for women... W T F

OT: funny one from Yahtzee... and im glad you liked it although you think its not worth more than a rental

 

[Carbo]

Personally I think it's hard to really not like Vincent. I felt like everything in the game was written solid and acted out solid, with some nice metaphors for relationship drama. It's worth a play through for the experience alone, and it's one of the best handled localizations I've seen in a long time.

It's hard not to relate to some of the thoughts that goes through Vincent's mind based on the choices you've been picking. I found the experience just incredibly engrossing, and the ending I got the first time, while bad, felt like it was something I honestly deserved. Yahtzee was also spot on in terms of the game play, it's frustrating in the sense that you want to keep playing and overcome it. Without spoiling anything, the fact that Vincent's two love interests are both named Catherine, makes for an interesting final act.

That aside, much like the Persona games, the socializing aspect really feels just like an opportunity to learn more about the characters, which is probably what I wanted to play the game for the most due to how much I enjoyed the writing, and at least unlike Persona you're not compelled to actually go on with the side stuff since you don't miss out on anything different in the game play.

With all that said, it was an entertaining review. I didn't expect you to review it though since it hasn't gotten a PAL release yet.

EDIT: One thing I will say about your review that I didn't get personally was that Vincent not telling Catherine that he's in a relationship already is purely down to it being an anime inspired thing. It's clearly established in the game prior to him meeting Catherine that he really has no intention of jumping into a marriage what with him being comfortable where he is, and that Catherine symbolizes the thrills and freedom that Vincent is longing for, since he feels that he's not sure he can conform to this new, demanding and imposing side Katherine is showing off. The reason he's a tool is because of his indecision over finally taking responsibility with his current love, or continue living life through his own will and accord.

 

[Plurralbles]

lol. All women are dykes, apparently.