Review: Catherine

Platform: PlayStation 3/Xbox 360

Developer: Atlus

Publisher: Atlus

# of Players: 1 (Online 1 – 2)

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: A

Catherine is one of the best original games of 2011, hands-down and of this writing, Atlus' fastest and biggest selling title to date. The hype surrounding the Japanese release along with initial worries that it wouldn't be localized due to its subject matter were followed by quick disappointment from Atlus fans when they found out it was staying overseas. Surprisingly, not too long afterward, word started leaking out that an English localization was underway and shortly after that, Atlus USA announced that Catherine was indeed coming to North America not only uncensored, but with PS3 and Xbox 360 cover variants, a great art book/soundtrack CD pre-order bonus and even a fantastic Limited Edition package. Definitely not for kids, anime haters, hopeless romantics or those easily frustrated by trial and error gameplay, what's here is a remarkable, visually brilliant work that bridges the gap between uncomfortable arty project and instant conversation starter.Read more »

Catherine Is Coming!

Well, alright. Atlus came through and is indeed shooting over a copy of Catherine, which makes me happy beyond words. Well, I have words, but you’ll need to wait and see what they are. Granted, I’m still buying the retail version (both of them) at some point because I’m crazy like that, but I’ll be diving into the review copy as soon as it arrives and getting it done up as quickly as possible. Thanks much, guys!

Atlus Shows Off Its Girl Catherine, Some Still Sexually (and Otherwise) Confused



Last evening (or afternoon if you were on the West Coast), Atlus did an incredible (and lengthy) Ustream demo of its upcoming PS3/360 game Catherine and based on the number of press attendees plus a decent sized group of just over 20 non-press oglers, this was their most successful streaming event to date. It's no wonder, given the interest shown in the game ever since screens and videos of the Japanese version started popping up on the Internet and gamers started begging for a localization.

While the single player mode was the main draw of the event, there was a bit of multiplayer shown that made for a really nice surprise. I have the feeling THAT mode just might break up a friendship or two in the same way The Adventures of Cookie & Cream did when things got too out of hand. Then again, in Catherine's MP, it's every sheep-horned man for himself (and it's a damn good thing it's only two players onscreen, given the hilariously zippy pace and violent pillow swinging action going on with the frantic block climbing).Read more »

E3 2011: Check Out The Atlus Booth!

So, what’s going on with one of my favorite publishers? Take a super-quick tour of their E3 booth and find out, that’s what! Now, if only I could get them to fly to NYC one day with all their wonderful games…

No More Teasing: Catherine Website Goes Live

Whee. Atlus’ girl is looking to be one of those ladies people just can’t keep their eyes off of. The official site mimics the original Japanese site’s stylishness (play with those chains on the opening screen for a nice surprise) and is packed full of awesome art, game info and more stuff that will make you blush (and any co-workers gasp if you’re at work peeking at this stuff)… July 26, 2011. PS3/Xbox 360. Watch this one sell out fast.

Catherine "Are You Committed" Trailer

A few weeks back, Atlus USA asked fans to submit video responses to a few age old relationship questions with selected bits being used to promote its upcoming PS3 and Xbox 360 puzzle horror game hybrid, Catherine. Here you go, the results of that little experiment in terror…

Catherine Announcement Trailer (Late, But Still "Fun" to Watch)

Speaking of Atlus – I’d forgotten to run this nicely disturbing Catherine trailer from a few weeks back, so here you go – enjoy! I really can’t wait for this one, but now that it’s US-bound, I don’t need to spend too much money on the import version and bugging a few folks to assist in translating things. Awesome.

Atlus to Set Catherine Loose on Gamers This Summer!


EXCELLENT. Thank you, Atlus! After a ton of interest from gamers outside of Japan even as the game’s developers said they had no plans to localize the PS3/360 game for Western audiences, the (no doubt going to be) Mature-rated horror/puzzle/strategy game hybrid is headed for a US release this summer. There was a HUGE teaser e-mail sent out last week that used the same pink background as well as a line from the game, so it was easy to figure out what was what. I ran a few movies on the other blog a few weeks back, but I’ll be updating.both sites with image galleries once I get shots of the US version in action. Awesome – I guess I’ll be getting both versions since they’re doing the dual cover thing (yeah, I’m THAT crazy).