Who still believes that video games are for kids? We know for example that some titles are a little too violent to be left in the hands of our little darlings. Other apps, a little more discreet approach simply themes that go far above the heads of the younger. This is the case of Catherine, an app that really atypical specifically targets players in the late twenties..
Catherine is one of those rare games that do not fit at all in nice boxes that the games industry has accustomed us. Atlus gives birth in effect here as a crazy, annoying, difficult and deeper than it appears. Admittedly, the first trailers were already playing on the mystery and ambiguity: we saw some funny sheep scared and especially a pretty blonde dressed shortly... It was enough for more than some imagine that this was a soft little rascal like you see regularly bloom in Japan. Do their due respect, Catherine is not one of those famous games that usually never cross the boundaries of the Archipelago. It is rather a puzzle game that puts on the trappings of a visual novel to immerse yourself in a mystical and psychological intrigue. This short description does not enlighten you further? This is quite normal, despite appearances, Catherine is not one to reveal its charms as easily.
To understand better what you'll find in the app, you first specify that it offers two alternative distinct gameplay. The day you follow the moods of Vincent, a thirty all that is more common that is in a particularly uncomfortable position: his steady girlfriend, a certain Katherine, he seeks to put a ring on it then he just met a mysterious seductress, the lovely Catherine, who was not much convincing to take the path of his bed ... The ups and downs of the emotional life of Vincent are treated like a visual novel relatively conventional. Understand by this that you will be entitled to long animated cutscenes featuring situations all the more embarrassing than the other.
Then you will end your days in the same bar where you will be free to chat with your friends or manage your love life by texting interposed. Things get complicated when you get home and you surrender into the arms of Morpheus: the nights are especially troubled by Vincent! Every night, it is still and always the same obsessive nightmares in which he is dressed up in horns and where to climb mountains of cubes to save his skin. These dreams hectic and potentially fatal lead to a second type of gameplay: stages of reflection limited particularly stressful time.
You are now facing real block walls that you have to climb as fast as possible. The rules are simple: you can climb these blocks one by one. So you should pull and push you to arrange a way to the top. Think fast! The bottom of the wall will gradually crumble and fall is the least deadly. Fortunately, you can get your hands on pillows during your ascent, they take effect in place of life and therefore all the more chances of a successful climb. If the principle is the basis of these phases is rather simple, things quickly become complicated when he must arrange the cubes correctly.
Story to spice up the challenge, some of these cubes have very special characteristics: some are too heavy to move, others go to pieces as soon as you trample or are made of a very slippery ice ... Each of these nights will be punctuated by the encounter boss frightening representing the worst fears of Vincent. It will then take your legs to your neck to avoid finishing a pulp. It's not all, you'll also sometimes sheep that will hinder your climbing unless you give them great pillow blows. Do not be too hard with these brave ruminants, few stops you in your ascension will discuss with them and understand that this is actually just as you men who have no conscience.
You will find on your way bearings allowing you to pause and save. They always have a kind of confessional where you have to take to answer strange questions before proceeding further. This examination serves as regular personality test and a gauge that determines whether you are a rather angelic temperament or if you're the type to play with fire ... Note in passing that every time you right a little account of the proportions in which other players have responded. These bearings are also famous and especially the opportunity to get acquainted with the sheep that make the climb with you. They will learn techniques including climbing which greatly facilitate the phases of climb, and they will share their small personal concerns. They have to overcome different problems all your advice and perhaps enable them to cope.
You'll soon discover that many of these poor bastards actually frequent the same bar as you and that you can continue to steer between two glasses. This hotel seems strangely related to your dream getaway. For starters, more alcohol you drink, the more you will fast during your nightmare. You will also find in an arcade room whose principle is strongly reminiscent of your puzzle night, with the difference that here it is not the time that is counted but the number of your movements. Finally, it is in this bar that you will gradually aware of a disturbing rumor: the series of unexplained deaths that made the headlines would be linked to a curse that affects men infidels ....
Mind you, the story of Catherine is not limited to a history of mindless infidelity and allows you to explore new horizons totally unexpected. Taking a step back, one gets the impression that the thread is a vague esoteric soup accommodated with a good dose of psychology at the counter, but the genius of Catherine is precisely not let you take it back. You are truly empathize with that poor Vincent and you are tossed by the events with him. The different moral choices that really do affect the end of the game, but they will regularly direct dialogue within our thirty disoriented to match your mood. The relative passivity that is inherent in the kind of visual novel is entirely assumed here because you literally sellotape to the narrative.
The passages in the bar will leave you still few moments of freedom and you will have occasion to express yourself by answering the many text messages you send your two girlfriends. Whether or not you yield to temptation, this story will keep you busy a while since we have more than fifteen hours to go around the main game mode once. Then, it is not finished, you then have the opportunity to break the head of randomly generated levels solo or cooperatively with another player. In short, Catherine is not content to propose a concept and an unusual scenario that keeps you in suspense, it also boasts a rich and robust content that may well surprise you.
Impressions on the Test
Graphics: Phases and animated CG images fit perfectly well to give us a graphic that is both consistent and completely blocked.
Gameplay: Few problems getting started sometimes make a bit of reflection phases laborious: it is not always easy to move left or right when it hangs from the blocks, especially when one aims to around the wall from behind... The originality of concept and simplicity of the gameplay fortunately offset part of the problem.
Lifetime: It took a little over 16 hours to go around the main mode called Golden Theatre but we must take into account that the fiercest will probably want to discover the purpose of the game. You can still continue the experience with puzzle games, solo or cooperative.
Soundtrack: Only the English dubs are available but they are of good quality. The music is rather cozy in the day and at night you'll get some amazing versions of classic pieces in your dreams.
Scenario: The scenario is certainly twisted, improbable, or even far-fetched, but it is especially well done and incredibly catchy. It handles a subject of almost universal and more serious than it seems: the transition to adulthood and the fact of its responsibilities to those who are dear to us.
Rating: Catherine is a real UFO that will not please everyone! But those who take the trouble to delve into his script and scratching their heads over his puzzles will find a set of excellent quality and particularly addictive. Whether you adore or hate, one thing is certain, this title will not leave you indifferent!
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