Catherine

[Tanukitsune]

Oh Christ, what is that gif/smiley thing?

It's Catherine for Gregory Horror Show dressed as Atlus' Catherine!

I wonder if Atlus will even have a special edition in Europe? We always get terrible ones anyway.

[Sno]

English demo is up on Live and presumably PSN too.

[Noyb]

This is the best demo of a block-pushing puzzle game about cuckoldry I have ever played.

(Snark aside, I was impressed.)

[Roderick]

I liked it too! I can se myself playing and enjoying this, though I'm well miffed that there's no Japanese voices in the Western release. They didn't give more of a reason than 'well, we wanted to do it but then we *PFFFRRT* (sound of Atlus employees shitting themselves)'. This stuff will not do in 2011, ladies and gentlemen. Get your act together.

[twmac]

Okay, ordering the special edition seemed like a good idea at the time... The thing is, it is out in 2 weeks and I am at odds on how to go in to the shop and pick this thing up.

[Raff]

[twmac]

Thanks, you made me spit Sprite out of my nose.

Need to find me a pair of those glasses.

[Roderick]

I just realized this game isn't even coming out in the EU, isn't announced yet, at all! What the fuck? And of course there's no region free version of the game, who the fuck needs all those filthy Euros? Fuck 'em! Fuck 'em all.

[Roderick]

I mean, who wants to release their game on a continent with 500m people on it? I sure as shit wouldn't.

[Tanukitsune]

Aren't all PS3 games region free? If it doesn't come out here, I'll buy the US PS3 version.

[Roderick]

Yes, but 360 people are less fortunate.

[Tanukitsune]

Some 360 games are region free, I have an US 360 copy of Soul Calibur IV that works in my EU 360. I don't know if it's any compatibility charts, but you should check it out before losing hope.

[Roderick]

I've checked them, and it's not 100% clear yet, but it looks bleak.

[syntheticgerbil]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to import the game from the U.S.? I thought our dollar was just abysmal now.

[Orv]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to import the game from the U.S.? I thought our dollar was just abysmal now.

Two options here:

1. 'Now', hah.

2. Not once China owns our ass.

Either way, probably.

[Roderick]

Synthetic, not sure if you've been reading the conversation, but we just discussed that the 360 version is most probably not region-free, so importing is not an option. Unless I import an R1 Xbox with it in the same go, of course.

[Raff]

I'll be suprised if it doesn't come out here eventually through Ghostlight, RSG or even someone bigger given all the attention it's had. There's probably a bidding war going on already.

Not that I think it looks very good mind...

[syntheticgerbil]

Synthetic, not sure if you've been reading the conversation, but we just discussed that the 360 version is most probably not region-free, so importing is not an option. Unless I import an R1 Xbox with it in the same go, of course.

Oops, I just assumed you had both a 360 and PS3 and preferred to get the 360 version. It was sort of a reply to Tank's idea to get the PS3 version.

[twmac]

Well, European release has been announced:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-07-22-catherine-coming-to-europe-this-year

[Roderick]

Faster than expected! That's really good news, though I'll be holding my breath until we know what the release date will be. Unlikely for it to be this summer, if they still have to the whole translation-trajectory for France, Germany, Spain, Italy, etc.

[Garple]

Yes, but 360 people are less fortunate.

well compared to the rest of the population, 360 is a small number of people .

[Sno]

I have friends screaming at me about how great this game is, and also that it's murderously difficult. (Even though the US version is apparently several steps removed from the original Japanese release, with numerous new concessions to easing up the challenge.)

The critical response also seems to be pretty universally positive, it's surprising to see virtually no dissenters for such a strange and potentially divisive game. Can't help but wonder if this will be another in a string of critically appreciated games that just tanks, there seems to be a lot of interest and awareness for this one though.

[Roderick]

It's hard to predict where this game will go. In any case, I've solved my initial dilemma by borrowing the PS3 from a friend and importing the game. It should come in next week. Before that time, spoil and I shall murder you!

[Tanukitsune]

I don't think they translate their games to other European languages, my Spanish copy of Persona 4 is in English, so I expect the Spanish version of Catherine is in English too?

I just don't think they can afford to translate games into more than one language?

[Forbin]

The critical response also seems to be pretty universally positive, it's surprising to see virtually no dissenters for such a strange and potentially divisive game. Can't help but wonder if this will be another in a string of critically appreciated games that just tanks, there seems to be a lot of interest and awareness for this one though.

That's unbelievable. I know at least Jeff at GiantBomb has some bad things to say about it.

Seriously, why not just watch some anime. That appears to be the only thing anyone is interested in here. Why let a bunch of bizzare block pushing puzzles get between you and what you want. It doesn't look like they add anything to the experience but frustration.

Also, the special edition coming with panties and a pillowcase are just creepy as fuck.