New Catherine gameplay screens make it look way better

It took a while, but the hype machine for Atlus‘ sexy new action-puzzler Catherine had recently (and finally) shifted into “providing actual gameplay details” mode. Screens were shot, copy was written, and…let’s just say that a few folks came away less than enthused by what Jim was concerned could turn out as “Q*bert with tits.”

Fanboy that I was, I remained optimistic. Great games have been made from simpler premises, after all. And if these new screenshots, nearly all taken from the main “Nightmare” mode, are any indication, my hopes may well be borne out.

They make Vincent’s desperate scramble up the stairway of his dreams look much more exciting now, with the monsters taking a much more active role in cutting off paths, adding obstacles, and even blowing out entire sections of the staircase. Trap blocks threaten to gib the poor dude at every edge, and you bloodthirsty folks hoping for some more direct confrontation should be enthused at seeing Vincent beat on a menacing-looking hedgehog…with his fluffy pillow.

The reward at the top? What looks like a molestation by plump bipedal sheep. Makes one want to wish he was eaten by the monster with a heart-shaped ass for a face instead.

Are you EXCITE again? Or have you lost all interest? Do tell!