Get ready to battle evil musicians, free some minds, and escape a virtual prison ruled by a godly virtual idol. So, it kinda feels like a lite version of a Persona game.
Originally known as Caligula in Japan, ATLUS and FURYU have partnered to localize/release JRPG The Caligula Effect as a PS Vita digital download title. The also probably changed the name to try an avoid an connection with the very adult, and very disturbing film of the same name. Seriously, don’t watch it unless you want to feel really messed up inside.
The game will keep its original Japanese audio and features a twisted story penned by Tadashi Satomi, the writer of Persona, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment. This is probably why the game looks and feels like persona lite. And I might be the only one, but I’m wondering if this one will play on the PSTV, not that I have on or anything.
The games story sees students at Kishimai High School enjoying a blissful existence filled with classes and daily performances by the intoxicating virtual idol μ (pronounced myoo because why the fuck not). While many students are quite content with this idyllic lifestyle, a few of them have uncovered a terrifying truth about their lives: everything is a lie.
The Caligula Effect features:
- A human story set in a virtual world – Experience a dark story as the Go-Home Club does whatever it takes to escape the digital prison known as Mobius. The crew must defeat a group of evil music producers (known as the Ostinato Musicians) who have been working with μ, and come face-to-face with their own black secrets/desires.
- Multiple relationships to nurture – There are 500+ NPCs to recruit into the party to be used in combat. Each has a preassigned class (such as offense, support, etc…) and have a unique background story that’ll slowly be uncovered by completing various quests.
- A strategic battle system – The game features a unique battle system called “Imaginary Chain” that makes encounters an exercise in planning. Once enemies are encountered, players will seamlessly transition into battles where they can choose from 100+ skills to unleash on their enemies. While choosing skills, players can adjust timing and see a simulated preview of their attack before committing to it. Maximize damage by creating deadly attack chains between party members and don’t let enemies catch their breath.
- Music by celebrated producers – It’s only fitting that a game about fighting musicians features original songs by celebrated Japanese producers such as OSTER project, 40mP, 164, cosMo@Bousou-P, and more!
The Caligula Effect will be available in the Americas and Europe on May 2.
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