Atlus is the type of developer that doesn’t count on their titles to sell a million copies - but they’re fantastic at carving out niches that the hardcore revel in. They're doing it once again by bringing the ultra-seductive game Catherine stateside. Atlus’ focus in Catherine is the inner workings of relationships, as Catherine explores the begging question that many guys will ponder in their life: Is it time to settle down? The game is structured using puzzles and choice to provide not only exploration, but also commentary on relationships. Fidelity is a key aspect of the game, as the main character, Vincent, has just been issued an ultimatum by his girlfriend Katherine: fully commit to her or else. Unsure if Katherine truly is the one for him and if he wants marriage, Vincent tries to drown his sorrow at the bar. Listless nights at bars rarely turn out well, and usually alcohol only intensifies any temptation that may come with a night out. In Vincent’s case, the seduction surfaces in a girl named Catherine. Despite her similar name, she offers Vincent the polar opposite of commitment - one night with her to have fun, no strings attached. As most people in a drunken-commitment-phobic state would, Vincent takes up Catherine on her offer.
In the morning, he awakens to the reality of what he's done. Regret? Fear? Panic? Yeah, there are a lot of high-charged emotions running through him. As you may have already guessed, the entire game will focus around the Catherine-Vincent-Katherine love triangle, but how will it all play out? Well, that's entirely up to you. See, during Catherine, you'll be asked many questions regarding relationships, life, and happiness, and the game will keep tabs on all of the answers you provide. Depending on how chaotic or lawful your answers are, this triangle will ultimately play out differently, so choose wisely. Catherine is split into two different modes - Vincent’s time awake and asleep. The waking world is where you have the most freedom of how to spend your time. There's plenty of NPCs to engage, and there's even a bar where you can pass the time - complete with minigames and drinks. Drinks may even alter some of Vincent’s skills to use while he explores the tower. Of course, Vincent's cell phone will also offer a place for him to interact with others through text messages. Some of these text messages might correlate with choices made in the game.
There should never be a dull moment in Catherine; with its intense take on a choice many, at one point or another, have to make should provide something truly thought-provoking. What else is at the forefront of Catherine? The dream world will play out with trials, nightmares, and a puzzle-filled tower. Vincent's subconscious will provide him with many nightmares that are infested with demon manifestations of his fears... and there's sheep - evil sheep - to cement the dreamland even more. There's something very Freudian going on here, and Vincent will have eight nights to figure out how he really feels about Katherine...or Catherine. As with plenty of games Atlus localizes, a tower is the main dungeon where you'll have to use your brain. Each puzzle is complimentary to the story, and sends a message about your character. The game’s puzzles all play out with Vincent moving blocks around so he can scramble to the top of the level. While you navigate Vincent up it, you'll be pushing blocks inward to make them disappear completely, and you'll always be locking certain blocks in place (as long as they touch another block) by moving them forward or to the side.
The idea is to navigate up these blocks as quickly as possible for a score multiplier. There’s something very Q-bert-esque about the way movement works, and it’s all very frantic. Each night will vary in length, and different areas that eventually lead to a boss battle will also separate each stage. Bosses will constantly up the challenge for Vincent; for instance, one even reverses the direction Vincent needs to move in. Poor Vincent will constantly be adapting to avoid his demise. Best to plot wisely, since if you're out of retry pillows, the game will end. It's not without a reward, however, as completing sequences will unlock anime cutscenes done by Studio 4°C. These scenes look worth the effort, as they not only offer key plot development, but also walk on the idiosyncratic side of things. Catherine looks to be shaping up to be a game that will truly say something about the choices you make. More games need to explore what our decisions say about us as a people, and Catherine appears to be on the right track there. With July 26th creeping up on us, it may just be the perfect way to spend some of your summer. Will you be tempted by Catherine or will Katherine lure you down the path of eternal love? Love or Lust? The choices will come in due time.
