GameSpot's Best Games of 2017 has finally kicked off, so join us as we unveil what we thought were the 10 best games released this year. At the coveted #4 spot is Resident Evil 7, which is available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Read on to see why we chose it as one of the best for 2017.
A couple of hours into Resident Evil 7, players will find themselves standing in the decrepit laundry room of a strange house deep in the Louisiana bayou. Dirty rags are strewn around, washing machines are caked in dust, putrid clothing hangs in its dark corners, and collapsed metallic furniture has long rusted. It's cold and dirty, and yet, it feels good to be there. Eerie music plays in the background, with melancholic notes plucked on aged strings evoking warmth and serenity.
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Jack Baker, the maniacal patriarch of the Baker family, lingers outside, searching for you. The laundry room provides the opportunity to take stock; check the number of bullets you have, how hurt you are, and whether you have the healing items needed to survive his inevitable attack. You'll have to go back out there eventually, and when you do he will be there. But for a few moments inside that room it feels safe. It feels like Resident Evil again.
In 2017, Capcom confidently showed it not only has a firm grasp on what Resident Evil is, but also that it can modernize the franchise and breath new life into it. Resident Evil 7 is a masterful execution of the survival-horror fundamentals Capcom established and popularized. It's a game that revels in the unnerving tension of slowly walking through disquieting corridors; the helplessness of being backed into a corner with no way to defend yourself; and the paralyzing fear of being confronted unexpectedly.
It's also a game that shows a remarkable awareness for what modern survival-horror games are. Its switch to a first-person viewpoint introduces an intimacy that the series hasn't had before, so instead of puppeteering characters from a detached cinematic viewpoint, you are thrust into the Baker Estate and enveloped by it. With a limited view of surroundings, the foreboding atmosphere gnaws at you, creating a heightened sense of tension as you warily open doors and turn unfamiliar corners.
And when you take aim with your weapon, it's with a hope and a prayer: "Please hit, please stop, please go down." Each pull of the trigger comes with the overbearing awareness that you've expended a precious, finite resource that will make the next encounter even more difficult. From start to finish, Resident Evil 7 is a desperate, edge-of-your-seat fight for survival; it's perilous and stressful in all the ways a good horror game should be.
From start to finish, Resident Evil 7 is a desperate, edge-of-your-seat fight for survival
Resident Evil 7 also shows that Capcom's developers are very much in tune with the language of horror, and how the smallest details can evoke the biggest reactions. In the main hall of the Baker Estate there's a small fan placed near a light; it's fans spin slowly and at just the right angle, it casts a shadow that can be mistaken for Jack Baker's shadow gliding along the wall. And as you wander the halls of the Baker Estate, you'd be forgiven for not noticing the pictures of the family, but take a close look and you'll learn that they were once just normal people, which begs the question: what happened to them? Resident Evil 7 deftly weaves the revealing particulars of this mystery into its environment, building to a big revelation in the blusterous closing chapters of the game.
There was a time when Resident Evil was close to becoming irrelevant, estranged from its history, but Resident Evil 7 rediscovers its roots and, as a result, marks a return to form for the franchise. It's a bold, expertly crafted survival-horror experience and the best Resident Evil in years.
Capcom is holding another Monster Hunter World beta this week on PS4. While players who participated in the previous beta earlier this month can jump into the upcoming one using the same client they already downloaded, those who missed out the first time can start preparing for the next beta now, as it's available to pre-load from the PlayStation Store.
The next Monster Hunter World beta begins this Friday, December 22, but players who are interesting in participating can already download it before it officially goes live. It weighs in at 5.47 GB, and unlike the previous beta, you won't need a PS Plus subscription in order to jump into any of the content. However, you will need one to play the game online with other players after it releases.
The beta officially kicks off at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 5 PM GMT (4 AM AET on December 23) and runs until the same times on December 26 (or December 27, depending on your time zone). As before, it features three quests across two environments. Players can hunt the beginner-friendly Great Jagras and the much more challenging Anjanath in the Ancient Forest, while the intermediate-level Barroth can be hunted in Wildspire Waste. Each quest can be tackled either solo or with up to three other players.
As with the previous Monster Hunter World beta, it appears this one is exclusive to PS4 owners. Capcom hasn't announced if it will hold a similar beta for Xbox One or PC at a later date. However, the PC version of Monster Hunter World is slated to launch some time after the game arrives on consoles, so it's unsurprising that platform hasn't received its own beta yet.
When Sicario first hit theaters in 2015, it not only became a box office success, but it put director Denis Villeneuve's name on the map. Since that film, he's gone on to make both Arrival and Blade Runner 2049. Now, three years later, another director will have the opportunity to continue the story.
The first trailer for Sicario 2: Soldado has arrived and it's turning up the volume on the action, violence, and stakes from the first movie. Both Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro return to their roles for the next chapter in the Sicario saga.
In the new film, the war on drugs has escalated to the point that cartels are trafficking terrorists over the border between Mexico and the United States. This development leads CIA agent Matt Graver (Brolin) to work once again with with mysterious Alejandro Gillick (del Toro) to end the threat. "No rules this time," Graver tells Gillick as they prepare to take the war straight to the cartels.
Stepping in for Villeneuve to direct the sequel is Stefano Sollima, who's best known for his work in Italian TV and film. Joining the movie's cast are Catherine Keener, Matthew Modine, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo. Jeffrey Donovan, who appeared in the first Sicario, will reprise his role.
Soldado makes for an even busier year for Brolin. In addition to this movie, he's also starring in Avenger: Infinity War and Deadpool 2. Sicario 2 is in theaters on June 29.
Destiny 2's holiday event, The Dawning, is now live on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and it adds a whole bunch of new stuff for you to check out. From decorations, to snowballs, to armor, to the absurd Mayhem mode in Crucible, there's a lot to do and earn in The Dawning. We've gathered up images of all the items that the event adds and put them in this gallery for quick reference.
You'll immediately notice that The Dawning is taking place when you jump into Destiny 2. Winter has come to the Farm and the Tower, where decorations abound and snow covers the ground. At these social spaces, you can take a break by throwing snowballs at your friends.
The snow has fallen throughout the rest of the game, too, as you'll notice when you run Strikes. There, the snowballs actually have a use: you can throw them at enemies to stun them and deal damage.
In The Crucible, meanwhile, Mayhem is back. The crazy, chaotic game mode gives you a ridiculously fast cooldown timer on your Super attack, and it tasks you with causing as much destruction to the other team as you can.
Completing Mayhem matches and Strikes aren't just for fun, either: new Milestones have been added that award a Dawning engram per week. These engrams contain a bunch of new gear, which we've showcased in this gallery.
Finally, The Dawning adds a gifting and receiving function to Destiny 2. Unfortunately, you can't give gifts to other players--but you can give them to vendors and receive cool items in return.
The Dawning will run for the next few weeks; it's currently scheduled to end on January 9. In other Destiny 2 news, Bungie has recently detailed upcoming changes to both the Three of Coins buff and the Masterworks weapon system.
Destiny 2's holiday event, The Dawning, is now live on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. When you jump into the game, you'll be greeted with a winter makeover of the most-frequented spots and some new items to earn.
The Tower and Farm social spaces are the most wintry, with decorations and snow scattered throughout. But snow has also come to the rest of the game, and you'll be able to conduct snowball fights in the social spaces as well as on Strikes.
The Dawning also brings back Mayhem, the over-the-top Crucible mode where your Super meter refills extremely fast. This means that Mayhem matches are fast, chaotic, and very entertaining. In addition, there'll be several new Milestones for you to complete, either by finishing Mayhem matches or running Strikes. These Milestones will grant a Dawning engram each upon completion, and they reset each week.
If you're not in the mood to do Mayhem matches or Strikes, you can also purchase Dawning items through the Eververse Trading Company, Destiny 2's microtransaction vendor. You can use Bright Dust to buy the new items, which can either be purchased with real money or acquired by dismantling Legendary items. We recommend going through your shader inventory and dismantling all the Legendary shaders you'll probably never use.
Finally, The Dawning adds gifting and receiving, so you can actually go out and craft items to give to vendors (and receive something in return). There are also boosts you can acquire that'll give everyone in your fireteam rewards when you get a drop. You can read more about all the new modes and additions in The Dawning in our previous coverage.
You've got several weeks to play The Dawning; it's currently scheduled to end on January 9. In other Destiny 2 news, Bungie has recently detailed upcoming changes to both the Three of Coins buff and the Masterworks weapon system.
Those looking for something new to play can get another PC game completely free on GOG. As part of its ongoing winter sale, the digital store is giving away another great title. This time, it's the supernatural adventure game Oxenfree, which is available at no charge right now for a very limited time.
Beginning today, December 19, you can download Oxenfree for free just by visiting GOG. The offer expires on December 21, giving you less than 48 hours as of this writing to claim your copy. To download the title, simply click the "Get for free" button on the store's homepage. You can also claim a digital copy from Oxenfree's product page. The game is DRM-free and works with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Oxenfree first released in 2016 and received a very positive reception. GameSpot awarded it an 8/10 in our Oxenfree review. Critic Alexa Ray Corriea said of the game, "Oxenfree is more than a ghost story with a Freaks and Geeks-like coating. It's a tale of coping with loss, broken relationships, and the inflexibility with which teenagers deal with sudden change, all layered under an alarming paranormal encounter. I left Oxenfree feeling hollow and strained, emotionally spent yet excited to play again and uncover more of the mystery."
GOG's big holiday sale runs until December 26 and features a ton of discounts on many great titles, including the new and inventive puzzle game Gorogoa ($12), the follow-up to To the Moon, Finding Paradise ($9), Cuphead ($17), The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Game of the Year Edition ($20), and more. You can also score additional games for free when you spend a certain amount of money; Hard West is free for everyone who spends $15, while Master of Orion is free when you spend $40. You can find the full list of all the discounted titles on GOG.
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Like Skyrim before it, Fallout 4 is an RPG that can last over 100 hours. In VR, that's a lot of standing, but just because the original version of this action RPG lent itself to long play periods doesn't mean it can't be appreciated in shorter sessions thanks to its abundance of bite-sized activities. From our five-hour initial glance, pursuits like touring Cambridge, completing quests, vaporizing mutants, and befriending rebels translates well to VR.
Currently an HTC Vive exclusive, Bethesda Game Studios has substantially adapted much of Fallout 4's controls to the VR platform's dual wands and head-tracking capabilities. The result is a port that invites you to revisit the ruins of New England through a more immersive point of view. And while ranged combat is a notable shortcoming, Fallout 4's wealth of other attack options allow you to easily bypass this hurdle.
Fallout 4 VR is Fallout 4 in its entirety, albeit with a new control scheme. That means you can still make the long trek to the irradiated Crater of Atom and puzzle over the Freedom Trail mission. You will need to earn your way to these landmarks though, since you can't use your old Fallout 4 save files and the accompanying fast travel options you've previously unlocked.
You're afforded the option of direct movement or short-distance teleportation, the latter being a solution for folks who suffer from motion sickness. Even if you've teleported in dozens of other first-person VR games, this type of movement takes some getting used to since your Action Points prevents you from cheating your way out of every dicey situation. As the attack sirens blare in the distance during the opening hour and you transition from suburbia to Vault 111, you can stretch your virtual legs, explore the cul-de-sac and chat with your frightened neighbors. Once you've committed to the vault, there's a palpable sense of immersion as you look up at the cylindrical shaft while the elevator descends, and the world as you know it disappears before your eyes. Such scenes reaffirm that moving your head to take in your surroundings can be more enveloping than moving a thumbstick and looking at a TV.
The Vault proves to be a valuable testing ground for environmental interactions. For instance, you have to face down to attack low-crawling cockroaches and you're saved the hassle of bending down to make contact. When you're not smashing radioactive bugs in your temporary home, you can comfortably test both direct movement or teleportation by going from room to room, and over short obstacles. Like the rest of Fallout 4 VR's objects, it's easy to have a newfound appreciation for many of the detailed 3D models, like the tight confines of your cryo pod. Same goes for the terminals, which are easy to use with the Vive wand, even though a part of you will wish that you could interact with these computers' keyboards.
Of course, the gift for making your way out of the Vault is the Pip-Boy, the personal computer strapped to your left arm in the game. You can now raise your actual arm and look down on a virtual Pip-Boy. Little details like the curvature of the screen and the dangling wire in the back enhances an already immersive experience. While a VR Pip-Boy with working dials is a pipe dream, Bethesda focused on simulating the touch-screen interface and mostly succeeded. From examining stats to highlighting gear, scrolling through and selecting options feels natural. The only time menus cut away to full screen is when you're upgrading S.P.E.C.I.A.L traits, which makes sense given that its color and detail would be at odds with the monochromatic charm of the Pip-Boy's screen.
Complementary to the Pip-Boy's interface are the virtual menus of the Settlements, which you unlock about two hours into your playthrough. Scrolling through craftable objects is a breeze as is pointing where you want to place them. It's mildly amusing that this 3D interface floats in mid-air as if it were in-game advanced holographic technology, but it's easy to play along as it serves to improve an already well-designed crafting UI. After getting past a mild learning curve, building a covered structure with a handful of beds took less than 10 minutes--a reasonable time when you include disassembling and scavenging.
Fallout 4 VR's combat is functional but you might have to adjust your play style depending on your preferred tactics. While the satisfaction of smacking contaminated flies never gets old, ranged gunplay is surprisingly frustrating. Even after tooling with aim sensitivity settings, it's a challenge trying to make precise shots. This makes reliance on the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System even more of a necessity than in the original version. Instead of aiming with a directional pad, you're manually pointing with the right-handed wand at your body part of choice. While you have to contend with the same sensitivity that you would through manual aiming, the slowdown ability of V.A.T.S. makes a world of difference. And in those rare instances where you're out of Action Points, large spread weapons like shotguns and miniguns are helpful in a pinch.
Fallout 4 VR is at its most inviting when you're seeing rather than doing. When you emerge from Vault 111, you can appreciate the expansiveness of the sky. Nighttime is, laughably, less convincing; the stars actually appear lower than the clouds. Still, the joy of looking up, whether to marvel at the moon or an ancient traffic light never gets old. The same goes for viewing detailed 3D objects up close, starting with Cogsworth. There's an impulse to bend down and crane your head as you admire his spherical frame and intricate limbs. When you meet Preston Garvey, you can't help but stare at the transparent chamber of his laser musket.
It's immersion-enhancing details like these that make Fallout 4 VR at least worth trying out--Steam's return policy affords you a two-hour test run. Whether you've seen one or all four of Fallout 4's endings, Bethesda's post-apocalyptic vision of Boston warrants a revisit in VR, marathon sessions optional.
The Masterworks weapon system was one of the most significant gameplay additions to Destiny 2 since its release, as it essentially functions as an entirely new weapon tier. But, as it is a brand-new mechanic, there are some issues that need to be worked out. Recently, Bungie revealed what sort of changes are in store for Masterworks.
In a forum post, Bungie stated that it has listened to feedback from the player community regarding the system, and it has formulated a list of tweaks to address concerns. Most notably, Bungie plans on improving the consistency and frequency of Masterworks drops.
Specifically, the studio will implement "a new mechanism that we can use to limit long dry spells in Masterwork drops due to bad RNG," according to the post. In addition, Bungie is looking into adding guaranteed ways of earning the weapons--although this may be rolled into a bigger update to the entire Prestige activity reward system. Finally, Bungie plans on tweaking drop rates and costs for Masterworks based on data gathered over the holidays.
Bungie also noted that it is working on adding Masterworks armor alongside the weapons. This armor will allow for greater stat customization, although with the caveat that the bonuses from Masterworks armor won't be as significant as the weapon bonuses. This is because you have more armor equipped than weapons at any one time.
Finally, there are several other minor tweaks and changes in the works, which you can read about over at the blog post. Bungie hasn't provided a timeline for rolling out these changes yet, but it's likely that we won't see them until early 2018.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is Disney's lavish live-action adaptation of the classic 19th century fairytale, and the first trailer has arrived. The movie stars Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren, and Morgan Freeman, with Mackenzie Foy in the lead role as Clara, a young girl who is pulled into a mysterious, magical world on Christmas Eve. Check it out above.
The film is directed by Lasse Hallstrom, who previously helmed A Dog's Purpose, Chocolat, and The Cider House Rules. Knightley plays the Sugar Plum Fairy, with Mirren as Mother Ginger, and Freeman as Clara's godfather. The original story, The Nutcracker And The Mouse King, was written by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816, but the story of Nutcracker is best known via Tchaikovsky's ballet version later that century.
The movie isn't actually set to hits theaters until November 2 next year. Last week, it was reported that the film was to undergo reshoots early next year, without Hallstrom's involvement. Joe Johnston (Captain America: The First Avenger, Jurassic Park 3) is to helm the reshoots, although a statement from Hallstrom stated that it was purely down to scheduling, and that he would continue to be involved with the film's post-production.
In related news, last month it was reported that Chinese star Liu Yifei will play the title role in Disney's upcoming live action remake of Mulan. The studio has a variety of classic fairytale remakes in works, with new versions of The Lion King and Aladdin expected in 2019, plus Dumbo, Pinocchio, and The Jungle Book 2 further down the line.
Given the multitude of fantastic games that come out every year, we often miss out on a wealth of experiences, whether because they were on a console we didn't have or because they were simply not on our radar. 2017 was packed with re-releases, remasters, and remakes of top-quality games from the recent to far past. The best of the bunch provided not only an opportunity for both veterans and newcomers to jump into an iconic game, but went above and beyond expectations by offering an embarrassment of new content. In no particular order, here are our picks for the best reissued games of 2017.
Thanks to a series of substantial updates, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the definitive version of Mario Kart to get. It plays beautifully on Switch in both handheld and docked mode, and its core racing is as exciting as ever. And, most notably, it revamps the original's lackluster Battle Mode, rounding out an already great racing game.
In the original version of Mario Kart 8, the balloon-popping Battle Mode repurposed tracks designed for regular racing. All of those tracks have been replaced in Deluxe, and the new Battle maps have choke points great for face-offs, built around central areas where you can mercilessly toss items at your friends.
But even if you're not a big Battle Mode fan, the racing in Deluxe is enhanced by small updates. The ability to carry two items at once is back from Double Dash, adding another layer of things to worry about on the track, and the Joy-Cons' HD rumble gives a stronger sense of acceleration from boosts. Your driving ability matters more in Mario Kart 8 than in previous Mario Kart games, and racing in Deluxe is as enjoyable and rewarding for skilled players as it was originally.
The best mainline Final Fantasy games are the ones that distinguish themselves as epic RPGs that can be appreciated on their own, apart from other installments in the series. Final Fantasy XII ranks high because of this distinction. Set in the Ivalice universe, it builds off the medieval European aesthetics and worlds previously conceived in Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story, with new desert settings that add a complementary Middle Eastern flair.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age not only represents some of the best aspects of Ivalice, it also underscores the timelessness of the game's groundbreaking Gambit battle system. Its semi-automated design gives the impression that it takes away control from you; the reality is the complete opposite. By giving each character up to 12 if/then behaviors, you can tailor an active party into an efficient and organized trio. You feel a sense of accomplishment, because you know it was due to your efficient strategies and battle orders.
Along with remastered visuals, The Zodiac Age has all the key aspects from the International Zodiac Job System edition of FFXII, previously an Asia-only exclusive. The Trials mode is a challenging test of strength and wits. Yet this 100-level enemy rush is only a minor perk when compared the reissue's two standout features: The 2x/4x fast-forward is incredibly well-suited to the fluidity of the Gambit System, cutting what is normally a 100-hour playthrough by half, without dampening the overall experience. And the overhauled Job System affords you more specialized skill paths for your rebellious party of six. While this class customization change comes at the expense of the more expansive license board from the original game, being able to mold Ashe, Vaan, and the rest of their gang into a diverse squad of experts in various fields creates a greater sense of ownership.
Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga could have simply been ported from the Game Boy Advance to the 3DS and nobody would have complained. It's a game that still looks, plays, and sounds great today in its original form. Yet, when Nintendo decided to release the game on 3DS, it saw fit to go the extra mile and revamp it in small ways from top to bottom. Thankfully, the game's original charm remains intact, and it's been improved in the process.
Graphics are the most obvious place to look for upgrades, and people familiar with the original game will notice enhanced animations and redrawn sprites, which add a dash of new personality to the already energetic game. Likewise, the soundtrack has been expanded, with tracks running a bit longer thanks to new material from legendary composer Yoko Shimomura.
Nintendo also saw fit to add a new move in combat, adopting a mechanic from more recent games in the Mario and Luigi RPG series. Traditionally, you could opt to press a button right at the moment of impact to add a little extra damage to your attacks, but you now also have the option of pressing X before an enemy hits you to help soften the blow and save a few HP. It's a small change, but one that makes the turn-based combat feel more active. And when you add all of these tweaks and improvements up, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga is the best it's ever been--another win for 3DS.
Wipeout Omega Collection is the kind of compilation that underscores the brilliance of the original versions of the games that make up this 3-in-1 set. Experiencing this enhancement of Wipeout HD shows how visually superb the original game was nine years ago. Indeed, you would have to position both games side by side to truly appreciate the improvements, because frankly, there really wasn't a lot to improve upon. Same goes for the wholly substantial Wipeout HD Fury expansion. Whereas the tracks in Wipeout HD were taken from the Wipeout PSP games, Fury's courses are brand new, offering some of the best raceways in the series. One last notable highlight to this collection is the inclusion of Wipeout 2048. Even after racing one lap, it's hard to believe that this game originated as a PS Vita launch title.
Like practically every Wipeout sequel since the groundbreaking Wipeout XL, each has its own design spin--however minor--that gives each installment its own identity. So not only does this collection give you three distinct flavors of Wipeout, it also serves as a time capsule, representing the series' late 2000s return to form, delivering the best anti-gravity competition that this subgenre has to offer. Even if you take away the much appreciated remastered visuals, this reissue is deserving of the attention of any racing fan, even in 2017.
This year's Yakuza 0 was a fantastic entry point into Sega's long-running action game franchise. But 2017 also introduced its successor, Yakuza Kiwami. Not only is Kiwami a brilliant game in its own right, it's an impressive and well-rounded remake of the pivotal entry that started it all. The game offers the series' signature complex storytelling, while masterfully balancing its gangster drama with offbeat, absurdist comedy. It also inherits all the improvements to combat and presentation from Yakuza 0.
In a landscape populated by big-budget, open-world adventures, Kiwami is particularly refreshing in how it revels in the charm of its setting and story. Its repetitive combat sequences and backtracking may be slightly disappointing holdovers from the original game, but if you stick with it, Kiwami pulls you into the engrossing melodrama of its characters and surprises you with its unexpected shifts in tone.
There's nothing quite like Yakuza, and Kiwami doesn't hesitate to show why the series has gained such a cult following. If you haven't tried a Yakuza game before, Kiwami is a perfect a place to start, even if you missed Yakuza 0 earlier this year. Though, please do yourself a favor and play Yakuza 0 too. Afterall, it's never too late to jump on the Yakuza train.
GameSpot will be unveiling its picks for the best games of the year throughout all of December. Check out our Best of 2017 hub for even more.
The first trailer for Ocean's 8 is here. The movie is the latest entry in the series of hit heist thrillers that kicked off with 2001's Ocean's Eleven, and features an all-female gang, led by Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett.
The film also stars Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina, and Sarah Paulson, and opens on June 8, 2018. As the trailer shows, the film is set in New York, and the star-studded Met Gala is the target of the movie's central heist. Check it out above.
Ocean's 8 is directed by The Hunger Games' Gary Ross, and produced by Steven Soderbergh, who helmed the earlier movies. In an interview with Slashfilm last year, Ross explained that he would very much follow the tone set by Soderbergh's trilogy. "I think it's a pretty similar tone," he said. "You know, Steven and I are incredibly close friends, and we would not have done this if we weren't. I don't think he would've wanted anyone to do it if we weren't. This is very much an extension and a continuation."
A new version of Catherine, the puzzle platformer from Persona 5 developer Atlus, is making its way to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. The re-release, which is titled Catherine: Full Body, introduces a new character, online battles, and support for Cross-Save, among other things.
The game was detailed in the latest issue of Japanese magazine Famitsu, which has been translated by Gematsu. According to the site, the game's development is a collaborative effort between Atlus and its sister developer, Studio Zero.
For those that missed the original version when it was released for PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2011, Catherine's narrative follows Vincent, who begins to have nightmares when his long-term girlfriend Katherine starts to discuss marriage. At the same time, he meets another woman, confusingly also called Catherine, and begins to have an affair with her. The daily stresses of managing these relationships manifest in strange puzzle platforming gameplay, in which players must race to the top of complex structures, pulling obstacles out of the way and avoiding traps.
Catherine: Full Body will have a third Catherine called Rin, who is a pianist at the bar Vincent frequents. Her story also introduces new branches for the other two Catherines in Vincent's life, along with additional endings, cutscenes, and "sexy events." According to Gematsu, Rin is described as "a healing existence that assists the nightmare-ridden Vincent and shows him new values. While her speech and conduct give off an aura of considerably lacking in common, she is a very straightforward and gentle character."
In terms of gameplay, Atlus and Studio Zero have introduced new difficulty levels to accommodate people who just want to experience the story, and a mechanic where you can move multiple connected blocks. Players will also be able to switch between the old version of the story and the new one. The online battles, meanwhile, were added as a response to the game competitive community that unexpectedly developed around Catherine. The game managed to make its way to EVO, the world's biggest fighting game tournament, where it generated a lot of buzz.
Development of Catherine: Full Body is reportedly half complete, but Atlus has not yet announced a release date. In GameSpot's Catherine review, Kevin VanOrd awarded it an 8.5, saying the "story-heavy puzzler is mature and occasionally profound, exploring themes like sexual fidelity, personal responsibility, and trust." He continued: "Catherine doesn't just challenge your hand/eye coordination: It challenges your intellect and your emotions."
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