Delicious Fruit
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by Cortex
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by WrathofAnubis
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by WrathofAnubis
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by WrathofAnubis
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by FudgeMerchant
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by WrathofAnubis
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by WrathofAnubis
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by WrathofAnubis
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by WrathofAnubis
92 Reviews:
PlutoTheThing
This review is based on a clear of hard mode, although I also played normal mode
This game is very well known and it's quite an interesting game, it's basically the grandfather of what some call "artistic vision" games, focusing a lot of atmosphere. Considering the games age, it's very admirable just how much it accomplishes, there's a lot of variety and unique ideas, especially considering it's older than even CN1. It's not particularly to my taste, there's plenty of parts that don't entirely click with me, but it's incredibly ahead of it's time and definitely worth a shot even today. Truly the embodiment of a classic.
[2] Likes
This game is very well known and it's quite an interesting game, it's basically the grandfather of what some call "artistic vision" games, focusing a lot of atmosphere. Considering the games age, it's very admirable just how much it accomplishes, there's a lot of variety and unique ideas, especially considering it's older than even CN1. It's not particularly to my taste, there's plenty of parts that don't entirely click with me, but it's incredibly ahead of it's time and definitely worth a shot even today. Truly the embodiment of a classic.
Rating: 7.7 77
Difficulty: 68 68
Jan 21, 2024
moogy
Ratings based on hard.
Hard mode was a lot more enjoyable than medium for me. While some of the screens become a bit annoying (particularly that one screen of the jump refresher area), overall it's a pretty smooth experience mostly composed of shorter, but precise saves that IMO are fairly satisfying to pull off. The difficulty is fairly consistent, and the gimmicky parts don't feel like they're as far removed from the basic needle on hard mode as well. Would definitely recommend playing hard over medium.
The difficulty ratings for this game are all over the place here on delfruit, but I'd put hard mode in the 70-75 range. As long as you're not afraid of some corners you'll be fine.
Original review for medium, from 2017: I don't think Catharsis has held up all that well. The various gimmicks strewn about throughout the game (jump refreshers, water, reverse gravity, etc.) have been done better in subsequent games, and the actual needle is a weird combination of easy saves and grindy saves that didn't really feel that satisfying to me. It definitely has great atmosphere/aesthetic and you can tell it was influential on many games that would come later, but I don't think it's a must-play nowadays by any means, especially since the penultimate stage (the platform screen followed by alternating spike screens) is just awful by any measure.
I'd put the difficulty of normal mode in about the 55-60 range by modern standards; there were a few grindy saves, including a rather annoying one on the final screen, but if you're used to what people are putting out nowadays you shouldn't have any trouble clearing it.
[2] Likes
Hard mode was a lot more enjoyable than medium for me. While some of the screens become a bit annoying (particularly that one screen of the jump refresher area), overall it's a pretty smooth experience mostly composed of shorter, but precise saves that IMO are fairly satisfying to pull off. The difficulty is fairly consistent, and the gimmicky parts don't feel like they're as far removed from the basic needle on hard mode as well. Would definitely recommend playing hard over medium.
The difficulty ratings for this game are all over the place here on delfruit, but I'd put hard mode in the 70-75 range. As long as you're not afraid of some corners you'll be fine.
Original review for medium, from 2017: I don't think Catharsis has held up all that well. The various gimmicks strewn about throughout the game (jump refreshers, water, reverse gravity, etc.) have been done better in subsequent games, and the actual needle is a weird combination of easy saves and grindy saves that didn't really feel that satisfying to me. It definitely has great atmosphere/aesthetic and you can tell it was influential on many games that would come later, but I don't think it's a must-play nowadays by any means, especially since the penultimate stage (the platform screen followed by alternating spike screens) is just awful by any measure.
I'd put the difficulty of normal mode in about the 55-60 range by modern standards; there were a few grindy saves, including a rather annoying one on the final screen, but if you're used to what people are putting out nowadays you shouldn't have any trouble clearing it.
Rating: 7.0 70
Difficulty: 71 71
Nov 19, 2017
Bob
I really love this game. The atmosphere is very well crafted and the platforming is so unique and original for a needle game. Hiddow's talent truly shines through this game.
Tagged as: Needle
[2] Likes
Rating: 9.0 90
Difficulty: 67 67
Apr 9, 2016
Mattisticus
Hiddow really created a masterpiece with Catharsis. A problem I find with most fangames is that is doesn't capture my attention; however, Catharsis has really great pacing. The game starts off relatively easy and gradually gets harder but never goes full blown bullshit. There are a couple autoscrollers and elevators mixed in with needle screens that make it feel like a game instead of a chore.
The only screen that doesn't bode well for the game is a moving platform jump fest with walls that kill you. It seemed as if the rest of the game was very artistic but this one is not.
And if you replayed the game you'll notice that it's actually 2 games. Normal and hard are completely different!
[2] Likes
The only screen that doesn't bode well for the game is a moving platform jump fest with walls that kill you. It seemed as if the rest of the game was very artistic but this one is not.
And if you replayed the game you'll notice that it's actually 2 games. Normal and hard are completely different!
Rating: 9.0 90
Difficulty: 69 69
Feb 14, 2015
hydreigon786
Wasn't too big of a fan of this at first, but I feel that it got better as it went on. Maybe it just took a while for me to adjust to the atmosphere and overall tone of the game, but when I did, this game was a joy to play through. I liked most of the platforming, but the strongest point this game has to offer is its aesthetic. Its unlike any needle game I've ever played before. I just feel the switching spikes section whenever you jump dragged on for a bit too long, and it took significantly longer to clear than the rest of the stages because it was a lot more learny.
Tagged as: Needle
[1] Like
Rating: 7.5 75
Difficulty: 65 65
May 12, 2024