Rule of Rose ~ 4everoutcast

Review by phatpat3352

Story:

This game has a very unique way of telling its story. Jennifer, the protagonist of the game, is given a story book about her at the beginning of the game. It is not yet complete; many of the pages are blank. As you progress through the game these pages are filled in. This is a very unique and creepy way of keeping track of what has transpired in the game thus far. It only keeps track of major story events but is still very unique and eerie. Also the game has pop up text windows that look like they come straight from a children's story book and tell you various things. These pop up windows tell you anything from what the item you just picked up was to describing Jennifer's current situation.

The story is mysterious to say the very least and creepy. It's dark, mysterious, and generally frightening characters and locations do well to keep you wondering what the hell is going on. The story revolves around a group of children who call themselves “The Red Crayon Aristocrats”. During the game you are basically given tasks to do by these children. If you don't do them the leader of the group treats to kill you. As you move through the game more and more Jennifer will begin to understand all the mysteries of the game. Where are the children's parents? Where are you? Why are you there? What do they want with you? How can you escape? Much more questions are revealed about Jennifer's past as well. The story is given to you in very small doses but enough to give you a craving for more.

Fun Factor:

Fun factor is the most important part of any game. From the start of the game you really get the idea that because of some very obvious errors in the games mechanics that you won't have as much fun playing this game as you would have had if those errors were not there. The controls are not perfect, in fact far from it, so that cuts into your ability to play easily and therefore makes the game less fun, at least for combat purposes.

The game runs much like the first Resident Evil or Silent Hill game. This is a good thing when it comes to fun factor. You run around looking for things to find as instructed by the “The Red Crayon Aristocrats”. “Rule of Rose” is very much a search out and find game, but all Jennifer wants to do is discovery exactly what is going on. Why is she being toyed with by these children? That is exactly how the entire game plays like. Searching dark hallways at various locations in the dark can really add to the appeal of the game. Information is given in such small doses it's hard to notice when it's given, but this only adds to your want to continue playing to find out more. It's like your personally exploring each place Jennifer goes to by yourself and has that same explorative appeal in the game.

The games level of fun does not really pick up until you get to the point in the game in which you have a dog companion join you on your quest. This occurs after the prologue of the game, which takes place in a different location than the bulk of the game does. At that point the game really picks up in fun. From that point on in the game you'll discover why this game is going to be my favorite Survival Horror game of the year. Though not much competitors out there for “Rule of Rose” it certainly would have wiped the floor with any had they come into the market. The ability to have your dog search out items for you is like having a whole new world of options open up in a game that had, up until that point, been very linier. This is a very exciting feeling, one that drives up the fun factor a tremendous amount. I remember reading about this ability in a review of the game prior to playing it and, while understanding what it was saying, I did not really get how much more fun that made the game. In that same since I know I cannot fully explain why this adds such fun to the game, it's just something you must experience on your own.

Atmosphere:

The Atmosphere is very much dark and gloomy within the game. Everything about the game has this same atmosphere. From the music in the background, to the locations that the game takes place in, this game has survival horror written all over it. I have not seen a game this dark and this gloomy in too long of a time. It helps set up the feeling of fright and mystery well. If it weren't for my being desensitized by the media at a young age I would have pissed my pants with many of the games scares; for they are cleaver and you don't see them coming.

Music / Sound:

As previously stated this games musical score, though not heavy in variety, does serve to set the dark mysterious mood well. I wish it had a bit more variety but at least it works with the game. I have seen many games that have music which does not work as well as “Rule of Rose's” does for it. Having inconsistent music, in terms of mood, in a game can ruin the experience a bit, but thankfully this game works with its music well. The sound effects are great as well. It has real sounds for the environment; meaning things sound like they would in reality. On top of that the random children giggling from what seems like nowhere is very eerie. Voices calling you from locations yet unknown, getting louder as you get nearer is also a very nice touch. I love how the sound was used for thrills and chills in the game as well as pronouncing discoveries. Other than wall collision sounds, like when you use a weapon against a wall, this games Music and Sound have almost nothing they are lacking in.

Game Play Mechanics:

This is where the game can get a bit rough around the edges. When it comes to moving you only have one option; running. This is not exactly a great touch. You'd think walking would be standard in a game this heavy in exploration as apposed to running from enemies. It feels like the game was rushed to store shelves, at least when it comes to controls.

Combat is where the game is at its worst. Horribly clumsy controls make for difficult battles with enemies that should be a piece of cake. You'll find your first battle frustrating enough, but when you encounter a group of enemies you'll wonder why Punchline, the creators of “Rule of Rose”, did not do a better job of the fighting controls. Jennifer, though she is a girl, attacks like one. She acts like swinging a weapon is horrifying all in itself. It adds to the difficulty of killing foes in a very negative way, which makes killing crowds of enemies nearly impossible without heavy damage. Her range with most of the weapons in the game is extremely short and makes for close range combat only. Close range combat in a game that has weak controls is just a not a good thing. For all of that bashing I will say that the controls are usable. It's not like you just can't do something's, because you can, it just takes a bit more effort than it should.

There is the absence of certain convenient features, like a button combo for turning around quickly. You will find yourself wishing certain control features from other games you might have played in the same genre were in this one. The controls are simple to a fault, that's it.

Graphics:

The graphics are extremely outdated as well unfortunately. Fortunately I don't feel graphics play much of an important role when it comes to what really matters in a game; fun factor. However, there are things that can be said. The graphics in this game are not quite this generation nor next. They don't utilize the Playstation 2's full capabilities and it is a shame. I love how they give the game a dingy old school film look to it but the graphics beneath it are just not up to today's par. The blood in the game is also badly done. It looks like the blood is coming from a red spray can instead of from the victim's body. The faces of the children and that of Jennifer are just not as detailed as they could have been in real time. However, the graphics are not all badly out dated; the cinema cut scenes are much more of what you would expect from today's games.

The ability to walk through your dog or enemies on the ground makes for a less real experience. So too does swinging your weapon at an enemy and watching it go through them instead of colliding with their flesh. Having half of Jennifer's body disappear inside a wall when you are near it is just plain funny. This is just pathetic in my opinion. Call me picky but I have just come to expect that those kinds of “glitches” in games were a thing of the past. I guess I was wrong. Graphically this game feels rushed to store shelves. Though it may sound like all of these graphical errors disturb me greatly, they are given a back seat to everything else that is so great about the game. The game more than makes up for its failing grade graphics.

Overall:

This game is really on par with the first Resident Evil or Silent Hill game. Seeing as how these two games launched some of the most beloved video game series of all time, that is a really big complement to this game. If they make a series out of this game I will be the first in line pre-ordering each of the new titles. It sets the stage for what could be a really kick ass series. Keep in mind however, this review was written before I beat the game. If the ending does not allow for a sequel then I'll have to hope for a prequel with better graphics. This game deserves recognition for its high fun factor and creepy mood matching music but also bashing for its mediocre graphics and clumsy controls. This game gets an Eight Star rating.

Ratings

Gameplay....7/10

Graphics......9/10

Story...........10/10

Sound..........7/10

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