First Impressions: Kids these days, always violently beating something to death: mysterious bags, adults, you...
Disease-ridden zombies. Tortured Japanese spirits. Scissorman. It’s no secret that many survival horror games involve some form of the undead. But once you think about it, they’re not all that scary. They’re make-believe, right? Rule of Rose seeks to change that by introducing a terror that’s definitely real: children. True, these children aren’t exactly normal. These children live in a derelict English boarding school and are constantly giggling while disappearing from sight. If that doesn’t set off warning bells, what else would?
You’re Jennifer and after following a strange boy off a bus, you’re thrust into the world of the “Aristocracy of the Red Crayon”. You’ll befriend a canine companion, encounter freakish child-things bent on killing you, and work your way up the Aristocracy’s twisted social ladder. Needless to say, it’s a creepy story.
Gameplay-wise, there’s nothing you shouldn’t expect from a survival horror game. If you’re familiar with the Silent Hill series, you’ll be right at home with Rule of Rose. Jennifer explores the zeppelin you eventually end up on, looking for items and solving puzzles while avoiding enemies. The item-hunting is actually required since the Aristocracy demands ‘gifts’ and it’s probably best not to upset them. Should you choose to combat the enemies, you’ll have…your fists. You’ll be able to find better weapons but since you are a frail young girl, running away may be a preferred option. Eventually even running won’t save you, as there are enemies you need to beat and sometimes bosses as well.
The zeppelin is rather large, making it easy to lose yourself while looking around. Thankfully, there’s a map and more importantly, there’s Brown. He’s the dog you’ll rescue, which opens up the next gameplay system: finding things. Most of the items you pick up will have up to three more items you can find through Brown’s nose. You simply set the item on ‘find’ slot and with the press of the triangle button, Brown will lead you to a prize, even if you have to travel half the ship. It’s an effective way to cut down on needless wandering when you’re lacking direction. Other commands would be the expected ‘stay’ and ‘come’. He can also provide support against the enemies by slowing them down, distracting them long enough for you to take action. Unfortunately, that seems to be the extent of his abilities. Haunting Ground’s Hewie he is not. Brown can’t be left behind though, so you never have to worry about waiting for him to catch up.
Rule of Rose, while relatively conventional in terms of control, has a fantastic atmosphere. Every so often you’ll trigger cinematics showcasing the antics of the Aristocracy, some that are merely odd while others are downright sadistic. There’s just something unsettling about young girls partaking in possible animal abuse. Or perhaps it’s the twisted initiation rituals they’re forced into? All of this and more, accompanied by a stand-out score by Yutaka Minobe of Panzer Dragoon Orta fame. String instruments always ratchet up the tension, especially when it’s almost soothing one second and intense the next.
