Catherine?

[Umbra]

Has anyone here played this game / know anything about it? It seems to get really good reviews but the box art makes me wonder just what I'm getting into since the cover art seems like one of those very hentai-ish games that shove a tasteless amount of suggestive themes into an otherwise normal story. I've heard it's nothing of the sort but like I said, I'm not really sure what kind of game this is.

[Megatron]

The game is pretty sexual in nature.  You're basically cheating on your girlfriend Katherine with a girl named Catharine.  Then, while you sleep you have nightmares which lead into the gameplay - it's a puzzle game.  You have to climb to the top of the mountain, pushing blocks and figuring out patterns.  Sometimes a giant baby tries to kill you.  Sometimes it's boobs.  Or a giant ass monster with a tongue coming out of the crack...yes, I'm serious.
I don't remember any nudity or hardcore sex, but the whole game's story is built around sex.  So while not hentai-ish to the point of pointless sex, the ideas of commitment, sex, lust and its consequences ARE the point of the game.  

[Umbra]

I get the idea of the story being sexual in nature; the question I was getting at was whether it put a tasteless amount of sexual content in the game just because it could. Correct me if I'm wrong but I heard the Agarest: Generations of War series did this, despite having tactical RPG gameplay.

I suppose my real question would be if this game has very mature subject matter to it, or if it's on the more pervert-side of games. I know that Atlus seems to make lots of totally out-there games, but the most experience I have with them is Shin Megami Tensei IV... hence my question.

[Megatron]

I get the idea of the story being sexual in nature; the question I was getting at was whether it put a tasteless amount of sexual content in the game just because it could. Correct me if I'm wrong but I heard the Agarest: Generations of War series did this, despite having tactical RPG gameplay.

I suppose my real question would be if this game has very mature subject matter to it, or if it's on the more pervert-side of games.

A little bit of both.  It definitely has some fan service that isn't needed - you could convey the sexual nature without some of the imagery.  But, at the same time, I think it works within the story.  This is more late night cinemax than pornography, if that makes sense.  It has some over the top stuff, but could be way worse.  DOA Beach Volley Ball this is not. 

[Umbra]

I never got into Dead Or Alive for that specific reason....

Gotcha. I'm gonna look into it a little more. It's not like I'm totally opposed to a game like this since I know it's primarily a story-driven puzzle game, but it still strikes me as something that I should know what I'm getting into before I throw down $20. Thanks for the clarification.

[Megatron]

I guess what I am saying is, if this game were a movie, it would be Rated R.  No rated X.  So graphic imagery, but its more of a perversion of the mind (like being chased by a giant evil baby when your girlfriend talks about having a family) than sexual perversion.  But basically the whole plot revolves around whether or not one of your lovers is a succubus, so sex is key to that.  As well as decision making, etc.  Here is a let's play that shows basically what I mean...warning, language by the commenter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLbhb-PRux0

[Arseen]

It's cartoon stuff... not real...

I don't get the US mentality of blasting someone to pieces with excessive blood being nothing but minor sexy stuff is deadly...

I don't mind seeing either stuff, even real video.

[Megatron]

It's cartoon stuff... not real...

I don't get the US mentality of blasting someone to pieces with excessive blood being nothing but minor sexy stuff is deadly...

I don't mind seeing either stuff, even real video.

There are pockets of each.  A large number of us aren't offended by anything, others have no problem with it, but don't necessarily like it, and for some it's just not their cup of tea.  Then there are those who adamantly oppose it.  And there are the freaks who...well, they are just ridiculous in their opinions/beliefs.

...I am, of course, referring to Spider-Man joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

[Dravenae]

Has anyone here played this game / know anything about it? It seems to get really good reviews but the box art makes me wonder just what I'm getting into since the cover art seems like one of those very hentai-ish games that shove a tasteless amount of suggestive themes into an otherwise normal story. I've heard it's nothing of the sort but like I said, I'm not really sure what kind of game this is.

It's actually a really good game, but definitely bizarre in its concept. It's essentially a dating simulator and puzzle game. The story itself, while raunchy in places, isn't totally based around lust and sex. There's some aspects of both in the game - more or less depending on a series of moral choices the player makes - but not as much as the cover might suggest (judging, book, cover?). There's more to the story and it has point, however vague that point might be, it leaves an impression. The game is less about sex and more about your own moral decisions. There are two things about the game that keep it from being an amazing game: camera angle/control and the lack of diversity in the puzzles - it's rather repetitive. I think it's worth a play through, but different strokes for different folks. I've not checked out PSN for a while, but there might be a free demo? If there is, try it out.

[sheep2001]

I loved the game at first, but the difficulty level on the puzzles ramped up pretty swiftly after a while.  Got frustrated with it, and never went back (and I'm a big fan of puzzle games).   Definitely worth a go to see if you like it - and for me, the sexual tones were pretty mild.

[Megatron]

Yeah, the puzzles can be tedious, and they seem to get way too hard way too quick.  And that LAST one...ugh, took me almost a year to beat that.  That said, it is at the very least unique.  And I liked the story - although I kind of wish I had just played the demo then watched all the cut scenes on youtube.  Would have made it a far more enjoyable experience for me.

[palmer6strings]

Oh boy, I loved this game. There is quite a few sexual innuendos but if I recall correctly there is no nudity. I did beat the game. There is way more weird stuff happening than anything. Like the, (as my band mates call it) "butt monster". It's what I imagine would be a bad trip lol.

[TDIRunner]

I'm enjoying reading through this.  I've watched videos about this game because I was wondering the same thing.  The sexual aspects of the game don't bother me so much, but this style of animation tends to cross the weird meter for me which was why I was weary of it in the first place.  However, I also love puzzle games and the gameplay portion is right up my alley.  

I assume you can skip cinematic portions of the game, and from what I've watched on YouTube, it doesn't look like the gameplay would be affected that much if you decided not to follow the storyline.  But that's just an assumption and maybe someone who's played the game will correct me.  

[Megatron]

There are a bunch of different endings, and how you play out the story segments is what determines that.  As for skipable cut scenes...I don't remember.  Honestly the story was the only thing driving this game for me, so I never bothered to skip them.

[Dravenae]

I assume you can skip cinematic portions of the game, and from what I've watched on YouTube, it doesn't look like the gameplay would be affected that much if you decided not to follow the storyline.  But that's just an assumption and maybe someone who's played the game will correct me.  

It has been a while since I played the game, but I think you can skip cut scenes. In regards to the puzzle elements in the game, you could definitely skip the cut scenes. Obviously the significance of the boss levels and any dialogue will be completely lost to you. There are other aspects to the game: the time spent in the bar where you can play a mini game and make decisions which affect the story and the ending, but if you're skipping the story elements of the game, it doesn't really matter what decisions you make or the ending you get. It might be that if you skip the cut scenes and rush through the time spent in the bar, the game might feel really fragmented, with 5-10 minute gaps between game play, likely ruining the experience with those breaks between gameplay?