Should I bother picking up Catherine at a cheap price?

Catherine is cheap on Playasia this week and I was wondering what the general consensus of the game was and looking for a feel of whether I should part with my $20 or not. It received very decent reviews across the board, so it must have something going for it. It only got one bad review from some obscure website that probably doesn't matter. It has always had me slightly intrigued and somewhat interested.

I do like Japanese games a lot, specifically JRPG, but this seems something of an odd duck. Can anyone give me a succinct analysis of what this game involves? Is it a puzzle game or is it something far more than that?

Opinions appreciated.

On one hand it is a unique game with an entertaining story. On the other hand I didn't like playing it and the story falls apart. Still support Atlus and get it. It's an interesting game.

It's unique. But the story got bad real quick. The "dream mazes" were kinda neat. I would pay no more than $15 for it. The actual gameplay is Q-Bert on acid ( best description I could think of)

@Phatmac said:

On one hand it is a unique game with an entertaining story. On the other hand I didn't like playing it and the story falls apart Still support Atlus and get it. It's an interesting game.

I am very inclined to support Atlus. I do have a significant number of their games.

You should. It is a fun game!

@AsperGamer said:

It only got one bad review from some obscure website that probably doesn't matter.

Yeah, fuck those guys :P

It's a block puzzle game with a few social sim elements and an interesting enough story that goes on for a bit longer than it should. The characters, save a couple, are likeable but the puzzle gameplay is hard (even on Easy) and gets a little boring. Up to you really. I thought it was fine.

@Phatmac said:

On one hand it is a unique game with an entertaining story. On the other hand I didn't like playing it and the story falls apart Still support Atlus and get it. It's an interesting game.

Yep. The game is worth seeing but I never enjoyed actually playing it.

@Neurotic said:

@AsperGamer said:

It only got one bad review from some obscure website that probably doesn't matter.

Yeah, fuck those guys :P

You win the prize for actually reading the entire post! I wondered if the fish would bite ;)

It is worth seeing the game, less playing through it.

I personally think the best thing about Catherine is the multiplayer... but most people I talk to about it think I'm joking when I say Catherine has a multiplayer mode. :(

Definitely a fun experience! Especially for cheap!

Definitely. I bought a copy for $20 and its worth that price. I was also inclined based on all the reviews and recommendations. One thing I noticed that was not mentioned in any press is that the game has an unusual pace. There is a whiplash between slow sections (the dating sim parts) with frustrating rage quits (the puzzle pyramid parts.) I totally didn't anticipate this and never ended up finishing the game because of it (although I found it satisfying and engaging and plan to go back and see how the story ends.) Worst case scenario if its not for you is that you can trade it in for a small loss.

@djou said:

Definitely. I bought a copy for $20 and its worth that price. I was also inclined based on all the reviews and recommendations. One thing I noticed that was not mentioned in any press is that the game has an unusual pace. There is a whiplash between slow sections (the dating sim parts) with frustrating rage quits (the puzzle pyramid parts.) I totally didn't anticipate this and never ended up finishing the game because of it (although I found it satisfying and engaging and plan to go back and see how the story ends.) Worst case scenario if its not for you is that you can trade it in for a small loss.

Sounds like I would benefit greatly from using a walkthrough to get past the tough sections. I would rather occasionally cheat than stop playing.

Buy it new to support Atlus. I know that isn't a particularly good reason to purchase a game, but it's important their US versions sell well in order for later games to be released here. We all want a US version of P5 right?

I wasn't into the story, characters, or the decisions the characters made. However, I did enjoy the core gameplay and the visual flare it had. The puzzles were pretty fun and head scratching at times. The Rapunzel mini-game was also a very rewarding feeling every time I had solved another stage.

VS Mode is also a ton of fun if you have a friend to play with. (Beat the game first)

Definitely, I thought it was worth it at full price. In fact, it was just the second game of this console gen that I've purchased at launch.

Catherine was a fun game, I never really got bored and was surprised by the 12 or so hours it took me on normal.

I really liked Catherine, mostly because I found it so fun just to walk around the bar talking to everyone, making sure to finish my glass each time so I could hear all of that sweet, sweet alcohol trivia. The puzzles themselves are pretty fun, too. Even if you don't particularly care for them, luckily there's only 2-3 floors of them each night before moving onto more story stuff. It gets a little rough on the last night, but you can always use a guide to get through the last part if you feel like you've had enough- it doesn't take long at all.

I loved it, but you shouldn't buy it.

1. If you like Atlus, 2. If you like puzzle games, and 3. If you like the prospect of combining the two things: Then yes, you should get Catherine.

Depends on if you like box puzzles I guess.

@FluxWaveZ said:

I loved it, but you shouldn't buy it.

I am intrigued by this response. Why wouldn't I also love it? Or perhaps I should just steal it?

@laserbolts said:

Depends on if you like box puzzles I guess.

Not really sure that I do. I am not even sure I have actually played a box puzzle game. I think elements of Baten Kaitos had what I think this is, but I am not really sure. I feel it is incumbent on me to learn for myself. It is the only way to learn.

@AsperGamer said:

@FluxWaveZ said:

I loved it, but you shouldn't buy it.

I am intrigued by this response. Why wouldn't I also love it? Or perhaps I should just steal it?

He probably means rent it?

I recently got it for relatively cheap too but I haven't played it yet, so I can't comment on whether it was worth it or not. It just seemed like a unique enough game to warrant a purchase at $20-$25. We'll see if I still feel the same when I get to playing it (especially considering the fact that the plot has already been ruined for me).

Yes

@AsperGamer said:

@Neurotic said:

@AsperGamer said:

It only got one bad review from some obscure website that probably doesn't matter.

Yeah, fuck those guys :P

You win the prize for actually reading the entire post! I wondered if the fish would bite ;)

Heh, thanks I guess?

@Dtat said:

it's important their US versions sell well in order for later games to be released here. We all want a US version of P5 right?

I don't think you need to worry about that. Europe on the other hand...

@AsperGamer said:

@FluxWaveZ said:

I loved it, but you shouldn't buy it.

I am intrigued by this response. Why wouldn't I also love it? Or perhaps I should just steal it?

Because based on your comments, it doesn't seem like something you'd enjoy.

@FluxWaveZ said:

@AsperGamer said:

@FluxWaveZ said:

I loved it, but you shouldn't buy it.

I am intrigued by this response. Why wouldn't I also love it? Or perhaps I should just steal it?

Because based on your comments, it doesn't seem like something you'd enjoy.

I am not all that sure how you got that from my post actually. I didn't really indicate anything except being someone ignorant, yet intrigued by the intricacies of the game. $20 is petty cash, so I am not sure I have all that much to lose. The responses here have essentially pushed me off the fence into a "YES" position.

Yes I'd say grab it. It is a fun romp.

@AsperGamer said:

I am not all that sure how you got that from my post actually. I didn't really indicate anything except being someone ignorant, yet intrigued by the intricacies of the game. $20 is petty cash, so I am not sure I have all that much to lose. The responses here have essentially pushed me off the fence into a "YES" position.

• "Is it a puzzle game or is it something far more than that?"
• "Sounds like I would benefit greatly from using a walkthrough to get past the tough sections."

• "Not really sure that I do." (In response to liking block puzzle games)

  These are what make me believe you would not enjoy the game. Perhaps the story elements would make it up for you, but I personally wouldn't recommend the game to anyone who would want to suffer through the gameplay just for the story and presentation elements.

@FluxWaveZ said:

@AsperGamer said:

I am not all that sure how you got that from my post actually. I didn't really indicate anything except being someone ignorant, yet intrigued by the intricacies of the game. $20 is petty cash, so I am not sure I have all that much to lose. The responses here have essentially pushed me off the fence into a "YES" position.

• "Is it a puzzle game or is it something far more than that?"
• "Sounds like I would benefit greatly from using a walkthrough to get past the tough sections."

• "Not really sure that I do." (In response to liking block puzzle games)

  These are what make me believe you would not enjoy the game. Perhaps the story elements would make it up for you, but I personally wouldn't recommend the game to anyone who would want to suffer through the gameplay just for the story and presentation elements.

Fair enough. I do think you read a little more into it than I intended, but that is text for you.

The first comment wasn't informing, just asking. The second comment was more about my lack of skills, not my enjoyment. The third comment is just ambiguous on my part, non-committal of sorts, but still open minded. The story is what I am most interested in anyway, so yeah, it likely would make up for any gameplay components I may not love. Thanks for the discussion though.

@Intelligent_Space_Man said:

Catherine is a puzzle-platformer. But--that said..

http://catherinethegame.wikia.com--

Very Easy

This is the only difficulty not actually selectable on the main menu by default. To play on "Very Easy", hold down the Back/Select button for a few seconds on the main screen (highlighting "Golden Theater"). After you hear a tone, select 'Easy' mode, which will now be Very Easy. You can switch between Easy and Very Easy as much as you want during the game.

• "Very Easy" comes with the capability of undoing your last move (up to 10 times) by pressing Back/Select during the level.
• This mode's Nightmare levels are the same as "Easy".
• Collecting a Mystic Pillow grants you 3 retries.
• Safety Bonus score multiplier of 2.0
• Power Drinks have a high chance of showing up on top of any block you pull out. These are more powerful versions of Energy Drinks, and allow you to climb 3 blocks at once for a limited time.

Excellent information. Thanks for that, I will remember it when I get to play it.

I'd say picking it up for anything less than $60 should be considered a federal offense.

@FluxWaveZ said:

I loved it, but you shouldn't buy it.

DIE, YOU

Buy it, the puzzle gameplay is actually fun.

You should pick it up if you want something different.  I found the game to be highly enjoyable....story and characters are good and its something different than most other games, which is a big plus.  The block puzzles are fun and good for the most part but the the Boss levels can be pretty shitty.  Also cant you use the Undo feature on normal too?

If you are on the fence about it and asking the internet for advice then you really don't want it.

Do it, Catherine is a great game. Don't listen to the haters!

It all depends on whether or not you like the puzzles. Some do, some don't. The Story is decent, if a little stupid at times, but you can see that on Youtube. If you're gonna play the game, you'll have to get through the puzzles, and you really have to think as to whether or not those types of block puzzles are your thing.

They were not my thing. I did not enjoy Catherine at any point at which I had to actually use the controller.

buy it then play it on easy, it's worth it for the story.

Personally I would play it on easy if you do get it. The most rewarding parts of the game are not the gameplay itself, and even on easy it's not a walk in the park or anything.

isn't there a very easy mode or something? I herd that the us ver changed something with the difficulty.

I don't like the fact that the two positive options are "this is awesome" and "well, it's cheap, so go for it". The spectrum is too big between those two answers.

Anyhoo, buy that game.

just bought it <$20 on amazon

@alevan said:

isn't there a very easy mode or something? I herd that the us ver changed something with the difficulty.

Yup.

It is a good game. I got it for a cheap as well, I guess I would never pay full price for it, it just is not that kind of game that seems to justify itself for a price around 40-50$. I have not yet completed the game, however at the point where I am at now, the fifth night, it seems like the story is mediocre, nothing fantastic, but you will catch on and I guess most people would be inclined to finish the game just to see how the story ends. It does have a slightly stereotypical set-up, story wise. This thirty-year old guy that cannot seem to get his life together and generally seems to have a significant lack of understanding of how he is affecting his surroundings through his immaturity and inability to face life as a grown-up. Then there are the two C/Katherines, not intensely interesting either, but they serve their purpose well.

I guess it is a game that you would play just to say that you played it. ''Yeah I played that strange, yet slightly amusing game called Catherine. Got it cheap of course.''

Go get it. It's like Q Bert on acid.

This. The game also has one mini game which is interesting and challenging bringing more hours to the table.