While Catherine stumbles thanks to some shallow social mechanics and its inability to intuitively guide the player to success, it still manages to embody all of the qualities that make for an addictive puzzle game. Puzzles are well constructed and paced within the carefully woven story of betrayal, fear, and human nature. Every aspect of the game’s visual presentation is slick and the underlying themes of the story are relatable on some level by anyone. Despite all that, Catherine is sure to be remembered more for its faults than its accomplishments. Unfortunately, it is difficult to express adoration for a game when there are so many obvious complaints lodged against it so perhaps I should just come out and say it:
‘Catherine’ stills stands tall as my favorite game of 2011 thus far.
Plenty of unforgettable games have completely messed up their players throughout the years, all the way back from the PS1 days to the dark recesses of the modern internet.
Deadly Premonition is a pretty weird game, but all of these absolute oddities are even weirder.
Paul writes: "Games can be many different things to different people. The subject of this Looking Back article is something a little different however, as it deals with infidelity and the fallout that comes the way of the straying main character. Intrigued? Well, come with me to the weird world of 2011’s Catherine!"
