42
The Caligula Effect's combat is undoubtedly a major point in the game's favour, but when you stack it up against a forgettable story, terrible music, and a camera that doesn't want to cooperate, it's hard to say that it's nearly enough to make the game worth checking out.
80
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.
45
Ultimately, to say that I didn't enjoy The Caligula Effect would be an understatement. I actively disliked this game the longer I played it. Its uninteresting cast, repetitive music, poor dungeon design, and tedious battle system created an experience that I sincerely detested. There's no doubt that some will enjoy the game, but I doubt most will. The Caligula Effect may not be unplayable, but that doesn't mean that it should be played. The dozens and dozens of hours that I sunk into the game weren't enjoyable at all. After reading this review, you may fall victim to the titular Caligula Effect and want to see just how bad it is for yourself—just don't say that I didn't warn you.
10
i do NOT understand these reviews. Best combat engine freaking EVER. Imagine a Matrix rpg, a freez frame tactics kungfu movie. i liked it so much that i was level 19 before i finished the first dungeon... The writing is awesome. the story is wonderful, and more P5 than P5. The characters are solid HS anime kids with intense psychic pain drama. The graphics are solid PSV. I did get stuck in a wall once during a SICK intense hour long battle with an enemy twice my eye, but that was once in a dozen hours of turn based psychic powered brawling in an detailed, compact engine where you can time yr moves down the second, layering combos and juggles and psychic shields and counters. god i love these frkn fights. its tactics, but so cool looking (finally) and in a wide open 3d emvironment where u cn go where ever, in fight. so cool. My sole compliaint Is that the terciary npc students could be a little more human. theres a neat power up engine where u sovle the trauma drama of other chtacters, and its quite deep with the primary and secondary charcters, but the normies, of whom there are just hundreds and hundreds And while theyre neat enough, the conversations are a little mechanical and minimalist.. but still i love this sht. seriously, if u think u migt like it, if u liie tactics or psychological anime, you WILL like it. its a brilliantly written cinemtic tactics crawler with the story P5 should have had. cant wait for the inevitable big money sequel with the HUGE dev team this game deserves (and occasionally needs, but its a crawler, its gonna have moments where u say "**** done this before" and thats why u need that fkn killer fight engine and awesome compelling writing) cuz this was clearly made by a small team. of super brain mutants who must have my baby. cuz im in love with the guys. THE NERD LOBBY SUPOORTS YOUR EFFORTS. Keep up the hard work, sensei tachi. 10/10 would check page 26 again
7
A collusion of interesting ideas, fun game mechanics and ultimately fascinating characters that unfortunately never really coalesce into the kind of game that really shines. Soundtrack is pretty lit, though.
The Caligula Effect
PlayStation Vita
Released On:
May 2, 2017
Metascore
Mixed or Average
58
User score
Mixed or Average
6.8
My Score
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Where to Buy
Metascore
Mixed or Average
58
18% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
45% Mixed
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
36% Negative
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
May 18, 2017
90
Boiling things right down, Caligula asks a question that’s really quite dear to my heart: “what if Hatsune Miku gained sentience and convinced us all that we would be better off living in a universe with her as queen?” I must admit that, were it me, I’d end up as one of the “villains” in this game, as I’m quite on board with that; but joking aside, The Caligula Effect looks, on the surface, like a bit of B-grade nonsense for a console well out of the mainstream’s attention. The great irony about that is that it’s far more pertinent and relevant, and asks genuine questions, about a topic that is going to be a significant sociological discussion point for generations going forward.
May 22, 2017
70
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.
May 2, 2017
70
The Caligula Effect has some of the coolest systems ever found on the Vita. The game seems to push what the system is capable of and perhaps that was asking too much. With some frame rate drops during battles and unnecessarily confusing dungeons, the game might get passed up by the more casual RPG players. However in the end, the side stories, characters, and awesome soundtrack saved the game and made me want to see it through to till the end.
May 2, 2017
60
The Caligula Effect offers a fascinating story inside of a huge virtual world. Filled with heavy concepts, writer Tadashi Satomi weaves a complex story about human suffering, artificial happiness, and the lengths people will go to find inner peace. While not nearly as developed or immersive as Persona 5, the game’s flashy graphics, star-studded soundtrack and solid story help to make up for what the game lacks in a depressingly shallow and unfulfilling social system, unclear objectives within dungeons and a rather tedious battle system.
Jun 5, 2017
45
Ultimately, to say that I didn't enjoy The Caligula Effect would be an understatement. I actively disliked this game the longer I played it. Its uninteresting cast, repetitive music, poor dungeon design, and tedious battle system created an experience that I sincerely detested. There's no doubt that some will enjoy the game, but I doubt most will. The Caligula Effect may not be unplayable, but that doesn't mean that it should be played. The dozens and dozens of hours that I sunk into the game weren't enjoyable at all. After reading this review, you may fall victim to the titular Caligula Effect and want to see just how bad it is for yourself—just don't say that I didn't warn you.
May 10, 2017
40
There are far superior alternatives to this game even within the same publisher’s 2017 catalogue, for crying out loud! The few glimmers of creativity beneath The Caligula Effect‘s vapid surface simply aren’t worth the time or effort they take to uncover.
May 2, 2017
40
The Caligula Effect is full of promising ideas that are bogged down by poor execution and lackluster presentation. The game tries too hard to do too many things all at once, resulting in obvious compromise.
User score
Mixed or Average
6.8
55% Positive
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
24% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
21% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
Aug 1, 2017
10
i do NOT understand these reviews. Best combat engine freaking EVER. Imagine a Matrix rpg, a freez frame tactics kungfu movie. i liked it so much that i was level 19 before i finished the first dungeon... The writing is awesome. the story is wonderful, and more P5 than P5. The characters are solid HS anime kids with intense psychic pain drama. The graphics are solid PSV. I did get stuck in a wall once during a SICK intense hour long battle with an enemy twice my eye, but that was once in a dozen hours of turn based psychic powered brawling in an detailed, compact engine where you can time yr moves down the second, layering combos and juggles and psychic shields and counters. god i love these frkn fights. its tactics, but so cool looking (finally) and in a wide open 3d emvironment where u cn go where ever, in fight. so cool. My sole compliaint Is that the terciary npc students could be a little more human. theres a neat power up engine where u sovle the trauma drama of other chtacters, and its quite deep with the primary and secondary charcters, but the normies, of whom there are just hundreds and hundreds And while theyre neat enough, the conversations are a little mechanical and minimalist.. but still i love this sht. seriously, if u think u migt like it, if u liie tactics or psychological anime, you WILL like it. its a brilliantly written cinemtic tactics crawler with the story P5 should have had. cant wait for the inevitable big money sequel with the HUGE dev team this game deserves (and occasionally needs, but its a crawler, its gonna have moments where u say "**** done this before" and thats why u need that fkn killer fight engine and awesome compelling writing) cuz this was clearly made by a small team. of super brain mutants who must have my baby. cuz im in love with the guys. THE NERD LOBBY SUPOORTS YOUR EFFORTS. Keep up the hard work, sensei tachi. 10/10 would check page 26 again
May 11, 2017
7
A collusion of interesting ideas, fun game mechanics and ultimately fascinating characters that unfortunately never really coalesce into the kind of game that really shines. Soundtrack is pretty lit, though.
SummaryFeaturing a story written by Persona veteran Tadashi Satomi, The Caligula Effect takes you inside a digital prison filled with brainwashed high school students, evil musicians, and an all-powerful virtual idol.
Rated Tfor Teen
