RULE OF ROSE (Playstation 2)
This game is truly a work of art. No other game has affected me quite like this one. It may be hard to describe exactly what it is that makes this game so.... well, as I say, hard to describe. Here is the opening video which introduces the game, to give you an idea...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNE5t7IDweI
This is a horror game, similar in style to Silent Hill. While there are some shocking scares, it is more about the atmosphere and general "creepiness", experiencing disturbing events, as well as a fascinating and emotionally affecting story. A mystery unfolds, which may not make sense at first, and the player is thrown into this mystery, and forced to endure and unravel it.
You play the game as Jennifer, a very unlucky girl, a teenager/young woman. It is set in 1930s England, and begins on a bus journey. A young boy asks Jennifer to read him a story from a book made by a child, but she finds there is no story. He gets off the bus, leaving his book, and Jennifer runs after him. The bus leaves without her, and she is left stranded at a very creepy orphanage, where she encounters children beating something in a bag. As she continues following the boy and exploring, the book gradually becomes filled with the story she is experiencing. Each chapter represents a different month, not in order, and also has its own story book.
After being assaulted by the children in the orphanage, Jennifer wakes up in a new location, and finds herself at the mercy of the young boy, who is the head of a society called the Red Crayon Aristocrats. Being threatened with death, Jennifer has no choice but to join, as the lowest ranking member, and must work to increase her social status among the children by playing their game. This usually involves bringing a special gift each month to the society leadership, which involves searching throughout this strange location, sometimes solving puzzles. However, Jennifer is not alone in this task. She rescues a dog being tortured, called Brown, and they team up together. Brown can smell objects to find related items (or people) by following the scent trail. Blindly following Brown doesn't always work though, as he will just take the most direct route, which may be blocked, or else there may be no scent in range.
As well as sniffing out the required things for the Aristocrats, Brown can also be useful for finding additional useful items. Also, he will protect Jennifer if she is attacked. He won't actually harm any enemies, but will bark and scare them, and prevent them from attacking, and he can be commanded to effectively keep enemies at bay while Jennifer either deals with others or escapes. Or she may command him to stay away from danger, as he also can be injured. This will cause him to limp and slow down, and likewise if Jennifer is seriously injured she too will slow down, and become much less effective in combat. Jennifer can use healing items (sweets) to recover, and Brown also has his own healing items (dog food/bones).
The enemies are strange creatures, which usually don't pose too much of a problem alone (though some do), but the problem is they usually attack in very large numbers - which is where Brown comes in useful in distracting some of them. Often the best strategy is to run away rather than attempt to fight, especially if there is an endless swarm (often creepily falling from the ceiling or climbing out of the ground) but sometimes the evil children lock Jennifer in a room with them, or she encounters a "boss fight" with something even more dangerous.
Many people complain about the combat in this game, and even call it "broken", but I think it is just right. Jennifer is weak, clumsy, has no fighting experience or accuracy, and usually has a poor weapon (or just her feeble fists). Especially when being confronted with a swarm of enemies, or a tough opponent then, some smart fighting (or avoidance) is required, as well as the important point of not letting yourself get into an unwinnable situation. Thus it is just like real life situations, especially when you understand the real nature of Jennifer. Combat is a challenge, it requires skill, and it is realistic how it plays out. But once you become more experienced it becomes easier.
The music is excellent, based on violin and piano, and goes perfectly with the scenes. The bird chapter music is especially good. Even the menu system, involving using inventory, etc. is very good. But it is the story and atmosphere that is what makes this game such an experience to play. The combat and enemies can be freaky, but it is the strange scenes and extremely creepy moments throughout which really make it so deeply affecting. This is a world of warped and disturbed children (and a few adults), and features scenes and ideas of cruelty and severe physical abuse towards animals and children, as well as powerful hints of sexual abuse, and controversial child lesbian moments. And then we get into the legend of Stray Dog...
As well as extreme creepiness and disturbing moments, the game also involves some sad and bittersweet moments, and provokes other emotions I can't quite describe. Overall, as I said, it's a work of art when all put together, and I find it hard to put into words exactly why I would recommend this game. If you really get into games then this one will take you on quite a trip, especially if you explore the world and mysteries, it may have quite a powerful effect on you.
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