Rule of Rose - PS2

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Rule of Rose (PS2)
Viewed: 3D Third-person, floating camera Genre:
Adventure: Survival Horror
Media: DVD Arcade origin:No
Developer: SHIROGUMI Inc. Soft. Co.: SHIROGUMI Inc.
Publishers: 505 Games (GB)
Released: Unreleased - Complete (GB)
Ratings: PEGI 18+
Features: Vibration Function Compatible, Analogue Control Compatible: analogue sticks only
Accessories: Memory Card

Summary

Springing right off the back of a whole boat-load of controversy comes Rule of Rose from 505 Games. The game's a decidedly mature Survival Horror title laying its focus on suspense and mystery as opposed to action and combat. The word is eerie.

In 1930's England, there exists a strange secret society of young girls known (by those who know) as the Red Crayon Aristocrats. This eerie (see, we told you) group has devised a series of rules, known as (wait for it…) the Rule of Rose, to govern its hierarchy, its members and the games they play. It is into this unsettling world that you plunge as Jennifer, an unhappy and fragile young lass, with just one friend in the world: the Labrador, Brown. There you must solve (and survive) puzzles and enigmas in order to offer tribute to your giggling tormentors and progress up their hierarchy.

If you're looking for busty babes and murderous mutants, you should look elsewhere. The thrust of this game is decidedly more psychological than most offerings from the Survival Horror genre. Combat, whilst it is present, is not central to the game. Instead, the developer has crafted what it has dubbed itself as essentially an 'interactive movie'. The gameplay is very much story-driven and aims to chill rather than shock.

A huge amount of attention has been paid to creating a realistic feel to the game. This is most evident in the stunning CG cut-scenes, but the detail and atmosphere oozes out of the in-game graphics as well. All in all, Rule of Rose looks closer to The Sixth Sense than it does to Resident Evil 4, creepy little children and all.