Catherine:Full Body is a puzzle game released in 2011, remake of the original Catherine. It follows Vincent, a man in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend Katherine, being indecisive over his future with her, meeting Catherine, a mysterious girl who is just his type, to test his fidelity and reflect on what he wants for his life, plus his nightmares have him climbing a tower of cubes to not become another victim of a "curse". Unlike the first release, Full Body has an additional character, Rin, an even mysterious figure that was saved by Vincent while being chased by a giant shadow and helps him during his nightmares.
Mechanics
What catched my eyes for Catherine (the first release) was the system of puzzles. It has Vincent rearranging blocks so that he can climb and reach the top to get out of the nightmare. There are various methods - that you can discover with time - which help him and other sheeps, different types of blocks, special items and enemies that can block your way. Gladly, you can talk with others over time and buy items since there is a currency in game.
Catherine has a system of gauge where your actions may result in different endings, Vincent could be a lawful and loyal man to his girlfriend or chaotic and open to the new love that waits him. Or even the third new route with Rin. The gauge basically changes its route depending on your dialogue choices interacting with characters and giving your answer between phases in the nightmares.
Next I will list every mechanic I can think of to make it clear what we are dealing with.
Mechanics
- Actions in nightmare
- Move Vincent
- Hang off blocks
- Push and pull blocks
- Use items
- Slam enemies down
- Talk with characters
- Make choices - dialogue or Confessional
- Actions in Stray Sheep
- Move Vincent
- Drink
- Check phone
- Check messages
- Check scores
- Push and pull blocks
- Talk with characters
- Interact with items - TV, Rapunzel and bathroom
- Types of blocks
- Normal
- Rock
- Ice
- Trap
- Fragile
- Unmovable
- Black hole
- Basic pause menu
- Configurations
- Save/Load
Story analysis
Since this game relies on its story, I will analyse it in general terms, not about the endings, but their vibes and concepts based on decisions and how the gauge works.
About the concept of law and chaos.