Catherine: Full Body, Yet Half-Full Potential

If you remember a certain black-haired bloke in his early thirties climbing a tower of blocks wearing only white boxers with pink polka dots, then a remastered port of the game he starred in could be for you [5] [13]. The handsome, but weak-willed Vincent Brooks had to choose between staying faithful to his longtime girlfriend and unleashing his inner demon by loving a blonde beauty [4] [8]. The story about ghastly nightmares and a troublesome love triangle is yet to make a grand return for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita [5] [15]. Firstly, it will be released in Japan in late 2018 [5]. The reason why the upcoming remastered port of the fascinating masterpiece is titled “Catherine: Full Body” would be as if the re-telling of the story is like a bottle of full-bodied wine due to the fact that it will feature more content, giving the plot more depth [5] [13] [15]. Talk about symbolism.

A pink logo that resembles panties. Pretty fabulous. [1] [14]

Atlus and Studio Zero have a surprise for everyone who is looking forward to Mr. Brooks’ return. There shall be a third love interest for the fragile Vincent named Rin [5] [7] [13] [15]. Not a bad choice for the name of the newcomer. The additional love interest’s role that will split between Katherine and Catherine might seem a little tacked on for those who remember the original Catherine [15], but it might make the premise of choosing a confused man’s next chapter quite refreshing again. Welcome to the Stray Sheep, Rin.

Rin, the third love interest for Vincent. [1] [7] [14]

Rin is a pianist who may have a different personality [7], compared to the firm and mature Katherine McBride and the carefree and seductive Catherine [4]. Rin could be a tender young person, but might not have the best social etiquette. Rin’s appearance is rather adorable and youthful with short pink hair, blue eyes and simply unique attire. There would be strong hope that Rin’s age will be at least between twenty-two years old (Catherine’s physical age) and thirty-two years old (the same age as Vincent and Katherine) as it would be horrible to suddenly portray Vincent as somewhat a pedophile [1], which would probably make him out of character in the remake. Rin’s character development should remain quite different from how Katherine and Catherine were portrayed in the original game so that it will turn out to be quite unique in the remake’s final outcome.

Rin playing the piano at the Stray Sheep. [7]

In association with Rin’s feminine appearance, there is a theory that the new co-star will be transsexual or a male crossdresser, according to many reactions to a preview of a whole new cutscene in the official Japanese trailer [1] [7] [14]. Giving Rin a supportive role in the nightmares would be believable proof of the new co-star having a…”joystick”…since in the original Catherine story, only the men have to deal with the nightmares [7]. However, Rin could just possibly be genderless, similar to NiGHTS from NiGHTS into Dreams and NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams [20]. Furthermore, the expression Vincent makes when he wakes up next to Catherine, the fiercely female fatale was also hilariously alarmed [8]. On the other hand, the theory of Rin being a transsexual can also be backed up by how the play button for the trailer resembles a transsexual symbol whilst the trailer’s thumbnail is Rin’s official artwork on the official Catherine: Full Body website [1].

The trailer on the Catherine: Full Body website with a play button that resembles a transsexual symbol. [1]

There is also a transsexual symbol by the top right corner of each of the screenshots of Rin on the Catherine: Full Body website, which could back up the whole "Rin is transsexual" theory. [1]

Even though there is a difference between transsexual and transgender [16] [17] [18] [19], it would be very likely that Erica Anderson, the transgender waitress at the Stray Sheep would get along really well with Rin. Despite that Erica has been praised for giving transgender characters a splendid name by being a sweet and caring friend [6], there were a few signs of transphobia from Vincent in the original Catherine’s plot [6] [8]. Not nice, Mr. Brooks. If Rin really does turn out to be transsexual when the enhanced port is released, then perhaps Rin’s compassion for Vincent throughout the story’s expansion can teach him to be…well…less transphobic. His horrified expression in the preview of a new cutscene sure is priceless [14].

Vincent's epic jaw drop. [1] [14]

The possible transsexuality of Rin would need to be portrayed accurately, maturely and respectfully, so that the risk of Rin becoming a controversial newcomer can be greatly reduced. But ultimately, we, the audience, are not really supposed to see what might be underneath that trendy sailor dress anyway [7]. In addition to the possibility of Rin having a sweet and socially awkward personality, the pink-haired pianist could secretly be an angel sent from above. There are two little angel wings on the back of Rin’s sailor collar, which could be a sign [7]. But again, Rin’s physical age should be at least between the twenties and the thirties for the sake of Vincent’s little amount of likeability [8]. Likely to be a controversial character or not, it would be interesting to know Rin better once the game is out.

There are two angel wings on the back of the pink-haired pianist's sailor collar. [7]

Perhaps there will be enough room within the karma meter for the path of choosing to be with Rin [4]. An angel and part of the meter in a different colour would be a good sign of that. Nonetheless, it would be best to not end up making the meter look as if it may not have enough space for not making Vincent choose a lover at all [8]. After all, having to choose one of three lovers can be pretty tough. One of the possible good Rin endings could be Vincent designing a fantastic website with video clips of Rin playing melodies on a keyboard that will help Rin gain more popularity as a pianist. But who knows?

Will the karma meter get an update? [4]

Aside from the option to choose Rin over Katherine and Catherine, there will be some other expansions of the original game’s plot [5] [13] [15]. Additional endings for choosing Katherine or Catherine can further interest those who would prefer to stick to the two original choices; Order and Chaos [5] [13]. There could be new cutscenes that will make the remake more excitingly erotic [5]. Well, no wonder the title of the juicy enhanced port is titled “Catherine: Full Body” [1] [5] [14] [15].

The alternate Catherine: Full Body logo. [5]

Catherine: Full Body shall also feature some new aspects of surviving the mysterious and traumatizing nightmares [5]. Some fans of the thrilling intellectual property might be pleased with the option to alter the gameplay’s difficulty more freely [5]. Taming the difficulty might be beneficial for those who found the original Catherine’s challenge somewhat too tough to handle, even after the “Super Easy” patch has been released [4]. Nevertheless, the challenge would still need to be around, especially for the more confident players. Some new useful gimmicks would be sure to make the experience familiar and fresh, such as Vincent or any other sheep in the horrified herd being able to link multiple blocks together [5] [15]. For those who may want to go for the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” route, there will be an “Original Mode” that does not alter any of the stages at all [5].

Alright! Vincent's got it! [1] [14]

You'd better climb for your life if you can, Mr. Brooks! [1] [14]

Lost lambs better climb for their lives in a new online mode [5] [13] [15]. The inspiration for a feisty online mode comes from the hard-working folks behind the development of the original Catherine at Atlus noticing some sense of competitiveness in several players outside of Japan [2] [3] [13]. It is without a doubt that the option to compete against another player online would make the remake refreshing to the more competitive gamers who enjoyed the original Catherine. In the near future of gaming, lost lambs will once again need to try their best and hope not to die, even if it’s a one versus one race.

Which sheep will be the survivor? [1] [14]

Catherine: Full Body may be the key to adding some romantic horror to the PlayStation 4 era, as well as PlayStation Vita days [5] [15]. Rin’s traits and chemistry with the textbook bachelor should hopefully be portrayed fascinatingly in order to decrease the risk of the intellectual property “jumping the shark”. The opportunity to give the Stray Sheep music lyrics based on his perspective would be a cool bonus. For the remake’s release in North America and the United Kingdom, Troy Baker would be the guy to sing such lyrics since he is experienced in singing and music [10] [11] [12], as well as victorious voice acting. Will there be an option to save Mr. Steve Delhomme from a terrible fate [9]? We will all have to wait until the game is complete and Vincent officially gets his embarrassing, but well-deserved spotlight back. Games are lovely creations, aren’t they? Stay golden, fellow gamers.

Well...this is awkward... [1] [14]

Okay. Now THIS is even more awkward! [7] [8]

References:

1. Atlus. (2017). Catherine: Full Body. Available: http://fullbody.jp/. Last accessed 14th Jan 2018.

2. AtlusUSA. (2015). Competitive Catherine - EVO 2015. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IMjIbTbloY. Last accessed 14th Jan 2018.

3. AtlusUSA. (2014). Competitive Catherine LiveStream. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AHFPZJS9IU. Last accessed 14th Jan 2018.

4. Catherine Wiki. (2011). Catherine (game). Available: http://catherine.wikia.com/wiki/Catherine_(game). Last accessed 10th Jan 2018.

5. Catherine Wiki. (2017). Catherine: Full Body. Available: http://catherine.wikia.com/wiki/Catherine:_Full_Body. Last accessed 23rd Dec 2017.

6. Catherine Wiki. (2011). Erica Anderson. Available: http://catherine.wikia.com/wiki/Erica_Anderson. Last accessed 22nd Dec 2017.

7. Catherine Wiki. (2017). Rin. Available: http://catherine.wikia.com/wiki/Rin. Last accessed 23rd Dec 2017.

8. Catherine Wiki. (2011). Vincent Brooks. Available: http://catherine.wikia.com/wiki/Vincent_Brooks. Last accessed 22nd Dec 2017.

9. Delhomme, S. (2018). Save Steve Delhomme in Catherine: Full Body!.Available: https://www.change.org/p/atlus-usa-save-steve-delhomme-in-catherine-full-body. Last accessed 14th Jan 2018.
10. dysfunctional. (2014). Halo Eyes. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy9ig6C1s00. Last accessed 14th Jan 2018.
11. dysfunctional. (2014). Troy Baker - My Religion. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4FwMux9Jrw&index=2&list=PLNS2093xUKegRIXX3fiSRvUUMAcVbo9yG. Last accessed 12th Jan 2018.

12. dysfunctional. (2014). Troy Baker - Sad Song. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TwGnBmgju0&index=7&list=PLNS2093xUKegRIXX3fiSRvUUMAcVbo9yG. Last accessed 14th Jan 2018.

13. GAME. (2017). Catherine: Full Body. Available: https://www.giantbomb.com/catherine-full-body/3030-63783/. Last accessed 12th Jan 2018.

14. GameTrailers. (2017). Catherine: Full Body Official Trailer (Japan).Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHs2sCBYvCs. Last accessed 23rd Dec 2017.

15. IGN News. (2017). Catherine: Full Body Coming to PS4, Vita - IGN News. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ulcbe-Ry1w. Last accessed 10th Jan 2018.

16. International Society for Sexual Medicine. (2018). What is the difference between transsexual and transgender?. Available: http://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-the-difference-between-transsexual-and-transgender/. Last accessed 14th Jan 2018.

17. Lord, D. (2017). What is the difference between transgender and transsexual?. Available: http://www.ajc.com/news/national/what-the-difference-between-transgender-and-transsexual/HDBZDYlss2DpZPqjl4z1RL/. Last accessed 14th Jan 2018.

18. Pearson, A. (2017). The Difference Between Transgender And Transexual. Available: http://www.michianaglbtcenter.org/difference-transgender-transexual/. Last accessed 14th Jan 2018.

19. Scutti, S. (2014). What Is The Difference Between Transsexual And Transgender? Facebook’s New Version Of ‘It’s Complicated’. Available: http://www.medicaldaily.com/what-difference-between-transsexual-and-transgender-facebooks-new-version-its-complicated-271389. Last accessed 14th Jan 2018.

20. Sonic News Network. (2007). NiGHTS. Available: http://sonic.wikia.com/wiki/NiGHTS. Last accessed 11th Jan 2018.