Xbox 360 Impressions: "Catherine Demo"

I've been following Catherine since it was first released in Japan. To be 100% honest I had thought it was going to be an RPG type of game since it's developer is ATLUS. They are known for their release of many popular Japanese RPGs. I found out later, and a bit closer to the scheduled release for Catherine that it was going to be more of a puzzle type of game. The story was to be based on marital morals. When I saw the demo was available on the Xbox 360 today I was extremely excited. I wanted to try the demo out ever since I heard it was available on the Japanese PSN store. I downloaded the demo, and got started right away. I wanted to see if it was as good as I had hoped ...


Every detail of the game from the opening to the title screen screams big budget/quality gaming! The cell-shaded anime style really brings everything to life. I could tell the developer didn't skimp out on any expense toward this game. Just looking at the title screen I knew I was in for a treat. After I selected the 'Golden Theater' option the game was taken away into an artistic, and animated rendering of movies such as 'The Ring' and 'Moses'. It was superior eye candy! After the brief intro to the mode you find 'Vincent' (The Main Character) standing at the bottom of some very Gothic looking stairs. He is stripped down to nothing but his boxers (with hearts upon them). On top of his head are the two ram horns I've seen in many previews of the game. Vincent is clutching his pillow tightly as another male's voice guides him (instructs the player) on how to escape the nightmarish staircase. The first level goes by the title 'Underground Graveyard'. The second, and last level was called 'The Prison of Despair'.

The controls to the game are kept simple. I actually took a peek at them before getting into the game. The left thumbstick is used for movement, and climbing. The X button is used for items (which the demo never really gets into), the A button is used to grab blocks, and the B button is used to release blocks. After playing through the first level I could see why they kept the controls simple. You'll need all your focus to concentrate on the puzzles at hand.

The staircases/puzzles in Catherine are made up of various types of blocks. Your main goal is to move/position the blocks in the right way in order to reach a door at the top. This may sound simple, but there is a matter of a time limit and horrific creatures that are ascending the staircases will catch up to you if your too slow. Aside from the danger of time, or death by an undead creature you will also face the risk of falling into oblivion. The staircases/puzzles in each level definitely increase in difficulty, and will keep you on your toes.

Only a small portion of the story is revealed in the demo, and most of it you have probably seen by now. The demo actually plays through some cutscenes that let you know Vincent's situation. It seems that Vincent is actually scared of commitment to his girlfriend (Katherine). They briefly discuss their issue in beautifully rendered 3D/cell-shaded anime sequences. The demo gets to the part where Vincent finds himself in bed with the 'other' Catherine after having a rough night a the 'Stray Sheep' (A Bar) worrying about the possibility of marriage. The English voice actors that were chosen to play the parts of the characters did not disappoint. The game also features subtitles in case you need them. The story sequences in Catherine do have some interactive parts. Vincent will receive cellphone messages from time to time in which he (you/the player) must make choices on the replies he sends. These decisions have either a positive, or negative effect on Vincent's mood. The full implication of this feature wasn't made totally clear in the demo.

From what I've seen, and played of the game I can honestly tell you this game is going to be HOT! I'm going to get it as soon as I can! This game is everything I'd hoped it would be, and more. I'm sure some of you may be scared off by the puzzle aspect, but I promise you you'll definitely be missing out if you pass this one up. I can see this game becoming hard to find eventually as most good Japanese titles tend to do.