Delicious Fruit
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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
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by FudgeMerchant
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by WrathofAnubis
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by WrathofAnubis
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by Cortex
100 Reviews:
PlutoTheThing
This review is based on a clear of hard mode, although I also played normal mode
This game is very well known and it's quite an interesting game, it's basically the grandfather of what some call "artistic vision" games, focusing a lot of atmosphere. Considering the games age, it's very admirable just how much it accomplishes, there's a lot of variety and unique ideas, especially considering it's older than even CN1. It's not particularly to my taste, there's plenty of parts that don't entirely click with me, but it's incredibly ahead of it's time and definitely worth a shot even today. Truly the embodiment of a classic.
[2] Likes
This game is very well known and it's quite an interesting game, it's basically the grandfather of what some call "artistic vision" games, focusing a lot of atmosphere. Considering the games age, it's very admirable just how much it accomplishes, there's a lot of variety and unique ideas, especially considering it's older than even CN1. It's not particularly to my taste, there's plenty of parts that don't entirely click with me, but it's incredibly ahead of it's time and definitely worth a shot even today. Truly the embodiment of a classic.
Rating: 7.7 77
Difficulty: 68 68
Jan 21, 2024
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
xva
rating based on hard mode; I have played normal before
one of the most fun, interesting and easily recognizable games ever created. not just within needle, but within (non-viral) fangames in general. Catharsis is a beautiful game filled with great ideas, structuring and gimmicks from top to bottom. this game has some of the most fun gimmick needle ever made. every save plays ever-so-slightly different than the last, until suddenly an entire new gimmick or idea is introduced. these new gimmicks and ideas are then slowly built upon, making them slightly more complex each time. this formula of sorts repeats for a few cycles throughout the game until the end. every single area is super memorable and interesting. I’m confident that not a single time will this game make you think “that wasn’t so great” - or anything along those lines. it is so immaculately constructed that I can confidently say something like this. now, I pose the reader a question: how many other needle games can you come up with for which this can be said?
Catharsis is in the absolute sweetspot for difficulty: fairly tough and challenging for intermediate players - but just difficult enough for expert players to not play it mindlessly. it doesn’t pose any mechanical challenges, as in requiring keyboard-specific inputs like 2fs or cancels. of course, knowing how to do these tricks can make your time with the game you’re playing easier, but it isn’t required per se. this further extends to another great thing about Catharsis: the various skips and different paths it offers. they are notably much more difficult, but greatly shorter paths which you can take. additionally, many areas don’t have a clear path in the first place, and you have to figure one out on your own. some areas are rather convoluded, sort of like mazes, where only one way is correct. it’s all just so elegantly and nicely designed that you can’t help but appreciate it all. it’s beautiful how simple the gimmicks themselves are and how well they work
visually and atmospherically, the game is nearly unmatched. the name itself, Catharsis - it evokes a dreadful and captivating, yet somehow liberating feeling. the idea that you’re seeking catharsis is interesting and somewhat scary to think about. the ending could’ve used some work, but I feel the words themselves are memorable enough on their own. it’s not quite a ‘closed end’: there’s room for a sequel (or continuation rather) where the Kid further seeks his final and ultimate catharsis
artistic, meaningful and fantastic game. by far one of my favorites. highly recommended
[1] Like
one of the most fun, interesting and easily recognizable games ever created. not just within needle, but within (non-viral) fangames in general. Catharsis is a beautiful game filled with great ideas, structuring and gimmicks from top to bottom. this game has some of the most fun gimmick needle ever made. every save plays ever-so-slightly different than the last, until suddenly an entire new gimmick or idea is introduced. these new gimmicks and ideas are then slowly built upon, making them slightly more complex each time. this formula of sorts repeats for a few cycles throughout the game until the end. every single area is super memorable and interesting. I’m confident that not a single time will this game make you think “that wasn’t so great” - or anything along those lines. it is so immaculately constructed that I can confidently say something like this. now, I pose the reader a question: how many other needle games can you come up with for which this can be said?
Catharsis is in the absolute sweetspot for difficulty: fairly tough and challenging for intermediate players - but just difficult enough for expert players to not play it mindlessly. it doesn’t pose any mechanical challenges, as in requiring keyboard-specific inputs like 2fs or cancels. of course, knowing how to do these tricks can make your time with the game you’re playing easier, but it isn’t required per se. this further extends to another great thing about Catharsis: the various skips and different paths it offers. they are notably much more difficult, but greatly shorter paths which you can take. additionally, many areas don’t have a clear path in the first place, and you have to figure one out on your own. some areas are rather convoluded, sort of like mazes, where only one way is correct. it’s all just so elegantly and nicely designed that you can’t help but appreciate it all. it’s beautiful how simple the gimmicks themselves are and how well they work
visually and atmospherically, the game is nearly unmatched. the name itself, Catharsis - it evokes a dreadful and captivating, yet somehow liberating feeling. the idea that you’re seeking catharsis is interesting and somewhat scary to think about. the ending could’ve used some work, but I feel the words themselves are memorable enough on their own. it’s not quite a ‘closed end’: there’s room for a sequel (or continuation rather) where the Kid further seeks his final and ultimate catharsis
artistic, meaningful and fantastic game. by far one of my favorites. highly recommended
Rating: 9.5 95
Difficulty: 70 70
Mar 27, 2025