The Caligula Effect Reviews
On a technical level Caligula isn't perfect; characters can run right through doors, and enemies have a habit of getting stuck in scenery as they chase after your characters, but the art direction itself with its soft pastel colours and clean elegance is a massage for the eyes.
Overall, you could do far worse than The Caligula Effect, but you could do far better as well. Due to its myriad of issues both technical and otherwise - and despite the solid story and music - there's little reason to check out this RPG until it's deeply discounted.
The Caligula Effect is a difficult game to review, mainly because of how contradictory it can be at times. Its writing can make it seem leagues above most other JRPGs despite its low production value, yet many of its systems are too complicated to recommend, despite however deep they may be.
Deep and important exploration of psychological issues in an underwhelming package.
If you're a JRPG fan and can see past its dull dungeon design and grindy friendship system, then there is still fun to be had here, but you'll have to push through layers of tediousness to get to it. The Caligula Effect is a game with plenty of good ideas, but sadly, they're just not executed very well. It feels like developer Aquria has tried to implement so many ambitious concepts, but it doesn't actually take the time to flesh them out, and instead, repetition has been used to fill in the gaps.
The Caligula Effect is intended for a niche crowd that's made even smaller by the lack of fun it offers.
The Caligula Effect is an interesting, unique and entertaining portable JPRG on Sony's PlayStation Vita.
The Caligula Effect has the potential to become a bit of a sleeper hit for the hardcore Vita enthusiasts out there. It reaches a really nice rhythmic cadence with its rock-solid gameplay, complemented by a clever, well-written narrative. A few technical hiccups try to rain on its parade, but overall it's an endearing, touching and surprisingly deep RPG with a ton of character and a bucketload of heart.
The game fell flat at times and I wish they would’ve spent more time on the characters all together to help make the story a little better. With all the flaws present, you could still find yourself enjoying a game that others may question because of the slow yet fast paced of everything and the way it doesn’t really tell you where to go exactly. You’re forced to just explore every single section of the area you’re in to get to the next point in the game. All in all, The Caligula Effect is a fun game but it could’ve been better.
With an uninspired story, leaning on several cliches,relying on just a few aspects to stand out like the soundtrack and the art, The Caligula Effect is a game that's just worth checking out after the other, more interesting releases of the year.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
As an alternative to Persona with writing and style very much seeped in Japanese culture, the Caligula Effect: Overdose is worth consideration. However, you'll need to ask yourself whether or not you can enjoy the idea of a game that only reaches its potential on a handful of occasions, and whether or not any of what you've read so far sounds worth checking out.
JRPG games are very hard to judge because of their pure nature and unique atmosphere. You can't put the "good" or "bad" label on them for their high value. Caligula Effect Overdose has a very good and deep combat system, nice story, expansive NPC Relationships and it is a really addictive game, if you like it in the first place. Caligula Effect Overdose is a game that you shoudn't miss it if you like JRPG games.
Review in Persian | Read full review