While roaming the JoBlo forums late last night, I came across a rather disturbing thread in the video game section started by some of the regular horror schmoes for the upcoming video game RULE OF ROSE.
The game, already out in Japan from publisher Atlus and set for release this September in North America, is a psychological horror game that comes off as a cross between the SILENT HILL series and the movie LOLITA. The plot involves a 19 year old woman named Jennifer in 1930s England. She finds herself in an orphanage after her parents die, where she ends up being trapped in a world ruled by a group of young girls called The Red Crayon Family, who have established a hierarchy and a series of rules. Her only friend is her puppy and together they must find out what happened, and how they can escape this world. Depending on how you play the game determines the type of ending you receive.
The game boasts over 50 minutes of rendered cutscenes which look absolutely stunning, considering that this game is being made for the now-ancient PS2. Like SILENT HILL, the game is heavy on style. Enemies are very doll-like, yet bleed when attacked and also let out child-like screams, The music, remeniscent of THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN (an inspiration for the developers), features heavy use of string guitars, and also includes vocalized songs from the 1930’s. The major theme in the game according to Atlus is the difference between a child’s and an adult’s way of thinking. This is shown through how Jennifer feels, as she is a prisoner of the malicious children, whose behavior is childlike yet still haveing malicious intent.
Okay, so what’s so controversial about this game? Well for starters, check out these screenshots from the trailer and the trailer itself. The game features some pretty heavy erotic undertones involving a cast of female minors. Atlus was quick to disagree, saying that the sexual themes are not the main focus and are only a small part of the game. Still, rumour has it that Sony wasn’t too keen on releasing the game in North America and had requested that the game skip this side of the pond. European gamers don’t have a release date as of yet (though Gamespot lists it as having an October release).
While there hasn’t been too much info on the game as of yet, expect more to be revealed as the release date creeps closer. Will it be more controversial than MANHUNT? We’ll see. Click here for the trailer.