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[Falk]

I've posted it before, but this seems like a good excuse to repost it: https://youtu.be/BCnrylaLUXM

Yeah it's repeating similar patterns over and over, but the level of improvisation required is still mindblowing.

I feel like this video doesn't get enough exposure considering how much this was the talk of the town when Catherine localization was new, how completely messed up the issue was for US, and how many views JP Axis Mundi got.

I guess the hype's died down somewhat

edit: For the uninitiated, what's going on is that in the US version of Catherine, Axis Mundi (the final bonus level) had a busted timer that made the bottom tier drop out way faster than in JP. This is already on top of how much more difficult Axis Mundi is compared to Obelisk which is far more difficult than the first two. So not only do you need to improvise, you need to do so in the most efficient way possible, AND be reasonably lucky on top of that, since what worked in the Japanese version of the game would simply run out of time in the US version. Clearing it was thought to be impossible for the longest time.

 

[Kyonashi]

I feel like this video doesn't get enough exposure considering how much this was the talk of the town when Catherine localization was new, how completely messed up the issue was for US, and how many views JP Axis Mundi got.

I guess the hype's died down somewhat

edit: For the uninitiated, what's going on is that in the US version of Catherine, Axis Mundi (the final bonus level) had a busted timer that made the bottom tier drop out way faster than in JP. This is already on top of how much more difficult Axis Mundi is compared to Obelisk which is far more difficult than the first two. So not only do you need to improvise, you need to do so in the most efficient way possible, AND be reasonably lucky on top of that, since what worked in the Japanese version of the game would simply run out of time in the US version. Clearing it was thought to be impossible for the longest time.

Was the EU version different again?

P.S. Congrats on the modship.

 

[myco666]

EU version had the bug in Axis Mundi as well. Had to do the 2 controller method because of it. That video of someone actually beating it legit is very impressive.

 

[atlusprime]

Competitive Catherine at EVO was the best thing. Also, this term is now canon (not really)

 

[Dangansona]

Competitive Catherine at EVO was the best thing. Also, this term is now canon (not really)

John when is that Snowboard Kids sequel coming?

 

[Darth_Caedus]

Atlus needs to churn out sequels faster. We need Catherine 2 and Devil Survivor 3!

 

[Tizoc]

i'M A little impressed that this game got more posts in it than the Onimusha thread I made XP

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Atlus needs to churn out sequels faster. We need Catherine 2 and Devil Survivor 3!

Atlus (P Studio reps specifically) outright said they do not want to make a Catherine sequel. Index had plans for Catherine to be a media franchise outlined in a financial release a while back, but that obviously fell through.

 

[TheMrPliskin]

Atlus (P Studio reps specifically) outright said they do not want to make a Catherine sequel. Index had plans for Catherine to be a media franchise outlined in a financial release a while back, but that obviously fell through.

That's good to hear, Catherine isn't a game that needs a sequel. I'd like to see them use the Golden Playhouse setup to tell a new one off story but I don't think there's much to be gained by directly following up on Catherine.

 

[Falk]

Competitive Catherine at EVO was the best thing.

Ehhhhhhh I felt like they picked a really silly format for that, considering how low the skill ceiling is on head to head compared to the Babel levels solo.

Of course, unless they found a way to rig the game so that the random generation was the same for both parties, RNG would factor heavily into play.

 

[xzeldax3]

This is one of my all time favorited from last gen. The graphics, music, addicting gameplay, and interesting story, all meshed together so perfectly. I really want this as BC on XB1.

 

[BibiMaghoo]

Spoiler

And throughout the game they, they meaning literally every other character, refers to her as "not actually a woman"....which is frankly insulting no matter how you want to cut it.

Yeah that's not cool. Fair enough then. It's been some time since I played it, and have never seen the art book in question.

 

[Guess Who]

They need a Catherine 2 if only to buff up the multiplayer mode for better esportsability.

 

[Falk]

The problem with 2 players on the same field is the vast majority of the more complex solving techniques completely fall apart. It's simply not going to work. Two separate fields and penalties thrown at each other as combo rewards a-la Tetris Attack would work much better.

But nah, I don't think we'll ever get a Catherine 2. Maybe a standalone spiritual sequel based just on the puzzler mechanics?

 

[Spencircuit]

I would love a PC release of this. It's one of the few puzzle games I always found myself coming back to. It has a great atmosphere with an amazing soundtrack.

 

[Stabby McSter]

The problem with 2 players on the same field is the vast majority of the more complex solving techniques completely fall apart. It's simply not going to work. Two separate fields and penalties thrown at each other as combo rewards a-la Tetris Attack would work much better.

But nah, I don't think we'll ever get a Catherine 2. Maybe a standalone spiritual sequel based just on the puzzler mechanics?

you know what, i'd be fine with that

 

[Guess Who]

The problem with 2 players on the same field is the vast majority of the more complex solving techniques completely fall apart. It's simply not going to work. Two separate fields and penalties thrown at each other as combo rewards a-la Tetris Attack would work much better.

But nah, I don't think we'll ever get a Catherine 2. Maybe a standalone spiritual sequel based just on the puzzler mechanics?

Certainly I don't think a theoretical Catherine 2 would be a direct story sequel, but it doesn't really have to be (nor would I want it to be, Catherine's story is pretty well tied up). The original plot idea for Catherine was that it was a shared dream among soldiers on a battlefield - you could take the puzzle system and apply it to a variety of different stories.

 

[NateDog]

Was a wonderful game, ending was dragged out a good bit but apart from that it was easily one of the best games I played last gen.

 

[iceblade997]

What a great game. Such a nice change from so many other titles, and they really managed to make it fun and engaging while delivering a great story and characters: it's rare that I wind up caring about characters or connecting with them, but I definitely felt for Vincent, Katherine and also Catherine. Also the soundtrack was fantastic. I really enjoyed Catherine and wish there were more titles like it. The puzzles were at times really difficult though, but certainly worth fighting through.

 

[_Ryo_]

This was a really great game and I think the IP could make an amazing anthology series.

Like, each game could dissect different aspects of psychology and the human psyche.

Also, Catherine would be the perfect game for a VR remaster. Imagine climbing those puzzle blocks in VR with those horrifying monsters. Would be insane/horrifying.

 

[Randy Monk]

This was a really great game and I think the IP could make an amazing anthology series.

Like, each game could dissect different aspects of psychology and the human psyche.

Also, Catherine would be the perfect game for a VR remaster. Imagine climbing those puzzle blocks in VR with those horrifying monsters. Would be insane/horrifying.

Having a real beer or whiskey sitting in the VR bar talking with your mates and the bar tender would be amazing

 

[PK Gaming]

Seriously, that true neutral ending is so good (spoilers, obviously)

 

[Zukkoyaki]

Catherine is one of my favorite games ever. I remember buying purely on faith that the Persona team could deliver something great and they blew me away. Great story, great characters, and some of the most fun and unique gameplay I've ever encountered. Was overjoyed when the news broke that it was their fastest selling game ever and an all around big success.

Further proves how freakishly talented that studio is. I hope when Persona 5 ships they work on another new IP and flex their readily apparent creativity. As great as Catherine is, I think I would prefer it to be a classic one-off.

 

[Quocia]

I remember having gold trophies for all the stages on normal, so I was thinking the other day "Hey maybe I could go for platinium"

I couldn't.
So difficult yet so great

 

[KyleCross]

My local Walmart has a single copy of the censored boxart version on the 360 complete with the artbook and soundtrack. It has been their only copy and it has been there unsold for 5 years. I always check to see if anyone has bought it every time I go.

No where near as bad in comparison to them also having World Poker Tour for the OG Xbox in the cabnet until literally a year ago, they wanted $20 for it.

 

[Phoenix944]

Did all endings, loved it. I don't know if it was a success for Atlus, but I'll give a lot of my money for a another game like that

 

[leroidys]

When this game was first revealed, it made me embarrassed to be a gamer. When I finally played it a couple years later, it was one of my most memorable experiences of last gen.

I guess that's the Atlus factor ¯\_(&#12484_/¯

 

[bryt]

Loved this game so much. Bought it for both the 360 and PS3 and got the platinum and 1000/1000.

 

[Kevtones]

Found the writing frustrating.


But wtf 5 years?!

 

[Drilbit777]

I did the first three legit, and spent about 5 hours on Axis Mundi before swapping to 2P. ;p

Was very, VERY tempted to import the Japanese version just to play actual Axis Mundi because I loved the game that much. Couldn't justify the import just for that one stage though.

There's a crazy guy that actually DID eventually beat EN Axis Mundi though, broken timer and all.

But, no, seriously, the first three bonus levels were my pick-up-and-play short-session entertainment for a good month or two. I totally would buy a standalone game with just a bunch (say, 8-10) of randomized puzzles like those. Scratched the same itch as by-rote pattern recognition and solving as match-threes or Tetris Attack.

I would probably have swapped the first two around. Menhir with its smaller block patterns actually lets you learn small-scale solutions a lot better than the first stage, which only gets narrow towards the end when you may already be in trouble.

I think at the peak of the binge, when in the zone I could beat Obelisk at least 75% of the time.

Axis Mundi is actually impossible to beat without 2 players.

EDIT: I retrack my statement