First Impressions:
Rule of Rose is a recent release from Altus Computer Entertainment company which is better known for the Disgaea games and the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. They made an American release of Rule of Rose just in time for the spooky fall holidays.
The game begins with the classic storyline where a nice, but "unlucky" english girl is orphaned by a car crash. The game is at once reminiscent of Silent Hill and even more-so last year's excellent horror title Haunting Ground which took place when an orphaned girl also loses her parents to a car accident and wakes up as an Alice in a 'Wonderland' of bizarre wonders.
From the well done opening cinematic to the exploration of the house at the beginning you will notice that there is something distinctly off about this game. The "unlucky girl", Jennifer finds herself in an orphanage where the adults have been long gone or presumably murdered by the little band of hell spawn. The place is now run by a handful of kids who are quite mad. They are murdering little freaks that terrorize, torture and scare Jennifer, ultimately corrupting her. Perhaps this is what growing up without a Geneva convention agreement will lead to.
Graphics:
Rule of Rose is terrific eye candy for those nights when you are in the mood for scare fare and your thumbs are all ready tired from your premier game of choice. The gothically presented setting and the noir filter on it give it an authentically mediocre and predictable atmosphere. You'll find yourself wondering if you have been here before in a dream as well, when you look at scenery and textures that remind you of every other game you have ever played.
Sound/Music:
The sounds are sufficiently creepy and good. They are fine for what they have to work with. There could be more variety especially when she spends so much time walking. Additional effects for that would have been a good idea. The music is also fairly average.
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