Catherine Review

Catherine is a rarely seen video game that explores the themes of adult relationships while taking a rather wacky look at intense stressful nightmares. Hold the confusion… Wait till you play it!

A nightmare sequence from Catherine.

'Catherine is a game unlike anything you have ever played.. and you probably wont play anything like it for a while'






Plot
The story in Catherine focuses on Vincent, a 30-ish guy who has been dating his girlfriend, Katherine, for roughly five years. Vincent, while at lunch, gets a double punch by his girl as she tells him a guys worst nightmare. Katherine feels the relationship isn't going anywhere and wants to get married. Vincent, instead of working things through, stumbles to his local bar. Several alcoholic drinks later and truly 'out of it', Vincent meets Catherine, who can only be described as a saucy free-thinking minx! Vincent wakes the next morning and you guessed it Catherine is asleep beside him. Lets just say they 'got it on'.

Vincent and friends at the local bar.

   Whether the one night stand is good or bad news is irrelevant for Vincent as he soon discovers that men in his neighbourhood have been dying in their sleep. The news becomes particularly interesting for him, due to nightmares frequently occurring while he sleeps. Not regular nightmares however, no, his are demonic manifestations of his real life worries that go after him up crumbling towers, threatening dismemberment.
  
Things get stranger for Vincent when acquaintances that resemble the figures in his dreams end up dead.
   Catherine does a good job as it plays around with the themes of romance which not many games have even tried or mastered yet.

Gameplay
The nigthmares provide the large majority of the gameplay and prove to be a real pain in the arse for gamers while still managing to have enjoyable qualities. Gameplay from the nightmare sequences involve the player having to move blocks and create makeshift staircases, all while the clock is counting down.
   Button bashing is a frequent symptom while the orchestral music rises a tense, panicking, 'holy shit' aura. The puzzles prove to be damn hard too with even the easiest setting becoming fairly tough to beat.
   Difficult as it is, Catherine does give those who can beat the sequences an awesome high that other games sometimes fail to perfect. The high, when achieved, is great however many frustrations will seep out of gamers as they play.
   As you make certain choices you drive the plot forward to end up at one of the multiple endings. Whether you want Vincent to stay and commit to his relationship with Katherine, have some hanky-panky with Catherine, or break away from both of them is up to you.

Verdict
   Catherine is a rare game and looks at relationships in a unique way that hasn't really been done before.
   The story is not particularly well written and the protagonist can become rather irritating, but any of the lovers out there may be able to relate and understand Vincents troubles. The game does have an ability to put a smile on your face at some points which is important as you are supposed to enjoy it.
   Overall, Catherine is no Taj Mahal and can become a bit boring at points but it is a game unlike anything you have ever played before and you probably wont play anything like it for a while. I recommend the game for the unique qualities it possesses. Be warned hot heads however it is very frustrating!