Catherine: Full Body - Review
If you’re familiar with the original release of Catherine, the full body version is an updated version of the game where they were able to slip in an extra character seamlessly into its story, while adding in a few extra game modes and updated graphics. However, if you’re new to this game, you’re in for a quirky yet bizarre narrative that follows the lead character, Vincent. In summary, as he’s been able to completely avoid the next level of commitment with his long time stable, level headed and responsible girlfriend, Katherine, Vincent meets a seductive young girl by the name of… yup, you guessed it, Catherine.
After having a one night stand, he deals with the complexities and near misses of getting caught. Not to give away the story too much, Vincent finds himself in a situation where he has nightmares of the women in his life, in which the tower puzzle type game kicks into gear. Catherine: Full Body does a really great job in developing your skills in creative ways to navigate through the puzzle by integrating variations such as blocks that fall apart, blow up and more. As you progress through the game (and narrative), Vincent meets other sheep in the dream world that share their techniques to keep you skilled in your efforts to climb to freedom.
The addition of Rin (Qathrine) has been integrated smoothly that you wouldn’t notice the updates in narrative, but this could also be due to the over-the-top quirkiness. To add, there are additional variation endings depending on what choices you make during the game, making Catherine: Full Body great to play through multiple times. Not only is it an excuse to go through the pervy (and hilarious) story and try different options, but extra game modes have been added in, making the game more challenging by using shaped blocks opposed to only singular cubes. With the main story mode game play, there isn’t just 1 way to complete the tower puzzles.
The game encourages you to be creative as it’s not just a flat 2D block tower game, but a 3D view where you’re able to rotate through the camera to ensure you move block horizontally and vertically, while considering its depth at the same time. While this could be a fun and good challenge for some, the real pressure is felt when Vincent is forced to climb furiously due to the horrific monsters that are chasing home up the tower. Couple this with the fantastic score they’ve used during the puzzle game play (and through the game), and you’ll feel the pressures of what Vincent is going through.
The Nintendo switch has always been a great platform for puzzles and platformer type games in which this has been a fantastic conversion, and even more with the addition of online game where you can choose a PVP type challenge, or co-op. The fact that you can play single player as a portable, and/or docked (sorry Switch lite) for local co-op in Babel mode is clear evidence that the Switch is the perfect platform for this game.
Visually, Catherine: Full Body has updated the graphics to ensure it doesn’t feel too dated for a game that has been out for years. The added, and previous cut scenes are still of high quality anime, as well as fantastic voice acting makes this game’s story something you’ll want to follow and unravel. If anything, this game makes you wish there was an actual anime series, opposed to just short gaming cutscenes.
The Score
8.0
Review code provided by Atlus
The Pros
+Updated graphics, character and added game modes
+Gameplay is perfect for the Nintendo Switch platform
The Cons
+Could come across a little too quirky for some
+Only worth picking up if you haven’t already purchased the game on another platform