A little bit Children of the Corn, a little bit Flowers in the Attic, and a touch of Lord of the Flies. Does that come close to describing Rule of Rose? Not really, but I gave it a shot. Unfortunately, Rule of Rose is not an easy game to explain or describe. While the gameplay is lacking in nearly every way, the game itself was still compelling enough to propel me forward. Suffice it to say, Rule of Rose is a creepy tale that doesn’t quite fall into the “survival horror” genre, but will freak you out nonetheless.



You play as Jennifer, a young orphan who is unlucky enough to find herself at the Rose Garden Orphanage, a run-down old mansion overrun with psychotic children. Shortly into the game, Jennifer finds herself kidnapped and taken aboard a massive zeppelin. She finds herself at the bottom of the children’s social hierarchy and is forced to find gifts for those in charge or pay the ultimate price.

Rule of Rose’s gameplay relies almost completely on puzzle solving and exploration. Combat is almost a non-issue. Although you’ll encounter numerous enemies along the way, it’s generally best to avoid them as Jennifer, like most pre-teen girls, isn’t much of a warrior. With the help of her dog, Brown, Jennifer is constantly traipsing from one end of the zeppelin to the other in search of specific gifts demanded by the “Aristocrats”. Much of this consists of giving Brown a scent to track, and then following him to the source. Many of the puzzles are vague and you’ll often find yourself wandering, hoping to stumble upon a clue. Fortunately, the same bucket-headed avatar that allows you to save your game also offers tips and clues as to where to go next.



The real appeal of the game lies not only in the whacked-out, art house story, but the way in which it’s brought to life. Taking place in the 1930s, Rule of Rose has a dusty, dingy look and subtle presentation. The locations and objects found therein look authentic and worn, and the eerie children will send chills down your spine. But perhaps the most impressive aspect of the game is the unbelievable soundtrack. Those lucky (and smart) enough to pre-order the game will be treated to a fantastic selection of the string quartet pieces that fill the game with life.

Sadly, this is certainly not a game that will appeal to everyone. The lack of compelling, traditional gameplay will be enough to turn off those looking for a Resident Evil or Silent Hill experience. The focus is on the story, the characters, and the mood the developers have created. In fact, the efforts to force gameplay into Rule of Rose are perhaps the least appealing parts of the experience. There’s simply no way to make being a young girl futilely thrusting a rusted fork at a throng of impish enemies enjoyable. So while it’s hard to recommend as a “game”, it’s easy to recommend as an “experience”, and I’d love to see this turned into a full-scale animated movie. With nearly an hour of animated footage, perhaps that would have been a better route.



Article By: John