The Caligula Effect

 PlayStation Vita
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 22
  3. Negative: 8 out of 22
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  1. RPG Fan
    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.
  2. Gaming Age
    Jul 25, 2017
    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.
  3. RPGamer
    May 23, 2017
    40
    Sadly, The Caligula Effect really just amounts to a waste of time. It's a shame because there's some neat ideas within it, particularly on the premise and story side of things, that are stuck behind terrible design choices and poor implementation. Despite its short length — approaching twenty hours depending on how well players can avoid the mindless drones — there's no reason to abandon other plans to give it a try.
  5. Destructoid
    May 15, 2017
    40
    I wish I didn't want to like The Caligula Effect as much as I do, but it's just tragic how far it falls from its own obviously lofty goals. For a game about a virtual world where everyone appears as their best possible self, The Caligula Effect is a walking worst-case scenario, representing the most disappointing possible execution on the huge potential of its best ideas.
  6. CGMagazine
    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.
  7. God is a Geek
    May 9, 2017
    40
    The Caligula Effect is an average JRPG with a memorable soundtrack that has some ambitious ideas for mechanics, but fails in executing them in a constructive manner.
  8. RPG Site
    May 3, 2017
    40
    The Caligula Effect is a functional game, and some of the Japanse vocal music is fun to listen to. But it's actually difficult for me to give praise to much else the game has to offer. It's a diluted experience on a potentially interesting concept with some gameplay mechanics that are better off ignored. I can only recommend this to diehard Vita fans who are simply curious about the game, regardless of quality. Otherwise, this one is easily skipped.
  9. Game Revolution
    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.

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best PS Vita Game of 2017
8
#8 Most Discussed PS Vita Game of 2017
1
#1 Most Shared PS Vita Game of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 21
  3. Negative: 5 out of 21
  1. He_Never_Helps
    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    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 "hmmm...ive 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    … Full Review »
  2. superorbital
    May 11, 2017
    7
    A collusion of interesting ideas, fun game mechanics and ultimately fascinating characters that unfortunately never really coalesce into theA 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.… Full Review »
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