Delicious Fruit
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by FudgeMerchant
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by WrathofAnubis
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by WrathofAnubis
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by Cortex
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by WrathofAnubis
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by WrathofAnubis
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by WrathofAnubis
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by WrathofAnubis
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by WrathofAnubis
88 Reviews:
moogy
Ratings based on hard.
Hard mode was a lot more enjoyable than medium for me. While some of the screens become a bit annoying (particularly that one screen of the jump refresher area), overall it's a pretty smooth experience mostly composed of shorter, but precise saves that IMO are fairly satisfying to pull off. The difficulty is fairly consistent, and the gimmicky parts don't feel like they're as far removed from the basic needle on hard mode as well. Would definitely recommend playing hard over medium.
The difficulty ratings for this game are all over the place here on delfruit, but I'd put hard mode in the 70-75 range. As long as you're not afraid of some corners you'll be fine.
Original review for medium, from 2017: I don't think Catharsis has held up all that well. The various gimmicks strewn about throughout the game (jump refreshers, water, reverse gravity, etc.) have been done better in subsequent games, and the actual needle is a weird combination of easy saves and grindy saves that didn't really feel that satisfying to me. It definitely has great atmosphere/aesthetic and you can tell it was influential on many games that would come later, but I don't think it's a must-play nowadays by any means, especially since the penultimate stage (the platform screen followed by alternating spike screens) is just awful by any measure.
I'd put the difficulty of normal mode in about the 55-60 range by modern standards; there were a few grindy saves, including a rather annoying one on the final screen, but if you're used to what people are putting out nowadays you shouldn't have any trouble clearing it.
[2] Likes
Hard mode was a lot more enjoyable than medium for me. While some of the screens become a bit annoying (particularly that one screen of the jump refresher area), overall it's a pretty smooth experience mostly composed of shorter, but precise saves that IMO are fairly satisfying to pull off. The difficulty is fairly consistent, and the gimmicky parts don't feel like they're as far removed from the basic needle on hard mode as well. Would definitely recommend playing hard over medium.
The difficulty ratings for this game are all over the place here on delfruit, but I'd put hard mode in the 70-75 range. As long as you're not afraid of some corners you'll be fine.
Original review for medium, from 2017: I don't think Catharsis has held up all that well. The various gimmicks strewn about throughout the game (jump refreshers, water, reverse gravity, etc.) have been done better in subsequent games, and the actual needle is a weird combination of easy saves and grindy saves that didn't really feel that satisfying to me. It definitely has great atmosphere/aesthetic and you can tell it was influential on many games that would come later, but I don't think it's a must-play nowadays by any means, especially since the penultimate stage (the platform screen followed by alternating spike screens) is just awful by any measure.
I'd put the difficulty of normal mode in about the 55-60 range by modern standards; there were a few grindy saves, including a rather annoying one on the final screen, but if you're used to what people are putting out nowadays you shouldn't have any trouble clearing it.
Rating: 7.0 70
Difficulty: 71 71
Nov 19, 2017
Bob
I really love this game. The atmosphere is very well crafted and the platforming is so unique and original for a needle game. Hiddow's talent truly shines through this game.
Tagged as: Needle
[2] Likes
Rating: 9.0 90
Difficulty: 67 67
Apr 9, 2016
Mattisticus
Hiddow really created a masterpiece with Catharsis. A problem I find with most fangames is that is doesn't capture my attention; however, Catharsis has really great pacing. The game starts off relatively easy and gradually gets harder but never goes full blown bullshit. There are a couple autoscrollers and elevators mixed in with needle screens that make it feel like a game instead of a chore.
The only screen that doesn't bode well for the game is a moving platform jump fest with walls that kill you. It seemed as if the rest of the game was very artistic but this one is not.
And if you replayed the game you'll notice that it's actually 2 games. Normal and hard are completely different!
[2] Likes
The only screen that doesn't bode well for the game is a moving platform jump fest with walls that kill you. It seemed as if the rest of the game was very artistic but this one is not.
And if you replayed the game you'll notice that it's actually 2 games. Normal and hard are completely different!
Rating: 9.0 90
Difficulty: 69 69
Feb 14, 2015
misty
I had this game in my play-later list for so long, and finally completed this! i adore this game, the atmosphere is dark and meditative, the needle was very fun and creative, i loved the music choices and the art of course, the visuals are amazing. I was very immersed in the game until i got to the penultimate screen, the second save, FUCK that save, really, i was progressing very fast for my standars (im not that good at needles) and then got to this save and spend +1 hour and still cant beat that dogshit of a save, i was very frustrated, then i realised you can skip that shit and go straigh to the save which is above and completed the game right after that, that was my only gripe tbh. Ignoring that, this is one of my favorites fangames.
[1] Like
Rating: 9.0 90
Difficulty: 64 64
Jan 31, 2024