Games Time Forgot: Chulip

Every Wednesday, we highlight rarely-remembered but interesting games for our "Games Time Forgot" series.

It's always been a hobby of mine to visit videogame stores, without the intent of buying anything. I just go to browse through everything, and leave. It's a cheap form of entertainment, especially when you're a broke college student who has a fun enough time just getting out of the house.

Among the myriad of anime-style characters, sports figures and space marines, there was always one game cover in my local GameStop store that stood out the most to me. It depicted a line of strange looking 3D characters, with a smiling boy drawn in front of them. That little boy drew me in every single time, and what's more, the game never seemed to move from its place on the shelf. It was always facing outward to stare at me with those inky, beady eyes. It was cheap enough, but I never garnered the courage to take it home with me. Obviously, neither did any of the store's other patrons, and as far as I know, that copy of Chulip still sits in the GameStop I left behind when I moved to Arizona.

This week's Games Time Forgot tells the story of Chulip, a forgotten game that is just barely two years old. Why has this interesting looking game sat on the store shelves, untouched for so long? I've got some theories.

Story: The hero of Chulip is a young boy living in what looks to be World War II era Japan, who is desperately trying to make his dreams of kissing a dark haired girl come true. Unfortunately for him, this dream is pretty far out of his reach due to his social status. The game starts with you moving to a new town, where you almost immediately run into the same girl you saw in your dream. But when you try to make your move, she pushes you away because you are poor.

From then on, your mission is to gain a better standing so that someday, you can get your kiss.

video details and more

Gameplay: Chulip is more than just a kissing simulator; it's got adventure game and RPG-ish qualities up the wazoo. A lot of it feels inspired by Harvest Moon games (Chulip is also by Natsume). The game runs on a clock, where certain things can be done and certain people can be interacted with only at certain times of the day. You will need to dig through trashcans for items, do quests for the villagers, and level up your heart meter.

The heart meter acts as your "health", in a clever metaphor for your emotional state. A strong heart will allow you to withstand a lot more rejection if you do something to upset someone, such as kissing them when the time isn't right. Leveling up is necessary to move your way up the kissability scale, as some people are much harder to plant one on than others. There are plenty of other things that can hurt you in this world, so having a high heart count also helps when you pull a harmful "Poopie" out of a trash can by chance.

There are two main types of people you can kiss: above-ground citizens, and underground citizens. Those who live above ground usually require a bit of bonding time through questing before they will let you get away with a smooch. Those who live underground are quite a bit trickier. Throughout the town, there are cracks in the ground that you can look through. These give you a glimpse at the underground residents, and offer clues to how you need to go about kissing them. Then you have to find out what time of day they are above ground (the times are listed in the manual, which is quite handy) and go after them.

video details and more

Why you're probably not playing it: There are lots of reasons. Chulip is rated T, pushing away the younger audience, while the cutesy, simplistic graphics most likely pushed away the older audience. The game has long been labeled as a mere "kissing sim" with no substance other than the act of kissing, which brings to mind dating sim games, which have never prospered outside of their comfy niche in Japan. Not to mention that the game, when released in the States in 2007, literally five years after its Japanese release date, was made available only through GameStop stores. It came with no fanfare.

Those who picked up Chulip may have stopped playing it soon after due to the fact that some of the character design is downright frightening for such an otherwise sweet looking game. The above video, for example, shows one of the first townsfolk you interact with. Nearly every time you talk to her, she ends the conversation by turning her head to the camera in an unnatural way, with glowing eyes and accompanying horrific music. All of the dialogue is a gibberish language, but in a way, it almost sounds like distorted English (even though I'm 99% sure it's the Japanese voice acting).

Another unsettling aspect of the game is its setting, which kept giving me flashbacks to Grave of the Fireflies. All of these audio and visual design decisions gave me a feeling of uneasiness as I played, especially when keeping in mind that this was a game where the main object is to force your kisses on strangers.

Lastly, the game is pretty much a death trap, which can be a big deterrent. There are so many things that can hurt you, especially when rummaging around in the trash. The only way to completely refill your health is to sleep at home, which can often be a long trek from one end of the town to the other.

As I type all of this, I feel the urge to go back to Chulip and continue playing through it. Yes, I finally went back and picked up a copy, which was most likely on the store shelf here for the past two years just like the one back in Alabama. I keep getting offset by the game's strangeness and the slow pace of the gameplay, but it is an interesting experience, to say the least.

Even though it's not that old, its status as something forgotten about makes it feel like an antique, a secret that many others don't even know exist. If you see that lone copy of Chulip at your local Gamestop, do more than give it a glance. Take it home with you and kiss your way to the top.

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Destructoid Discusses: PSP's download dilemma

We heard this morning that all PSP games will be downloadable by October 1st, save for some third-party games from uncooperative companies. This refers to games that will be released from that date on. But what does this mean for the currently available library?

It's great that the PSP Go will be able to download and store games, but what about those of us who already own PSPs and UMD games? How will we be able to take these with us? Will we have to tote around two systems? Will there be some kind of trade-in or verification system? We all think the PSP Go is a sexy device, but these questions need to be answered before we commit.

This morning, Jim, Colette, Jordan, and I had a lengthy discussion session on the topic. You'll find the transcript below. We hope you'll chime in and let us know what you think about the PSP's download dilemma.

Colette B. All PSP games to be downloads by Oct 1st? really? Jim S. That's what Rubenstein says
  Colette B. wow Jim S. Apparently third party UMD games depend on the publisher, but it seems Sony expects practically the full library to appear on the PSN Jim S.
Not too hard since the PSP only has five games ROFL ROFL ROFL LMAO! Colette B. well, that would please me Colette B.
LOL Jordan D. haha Jun 1
  Jordan D. i won't be getting a Go until emulation is up and running again Jim S. I want a go, but I have UMDs. And I don't want to own two PSPs Jim S.
I hate how Sony constantly seeks to divide and confuse its customers Colette B. Yeah, I would consider it if the library was downloadable Colette B.
not otherwise Jim S. The DSi, I can understand. It doesn't divide consumers. The Go is so fucking alienating Dale N. well, if what we first heard is correct, all that shit will be downloadable Colette B. I agree with that Colette B.
they need to roll out something that unifies it with the PSP fanbase Dale N. those with a lot of UMDs (I have 22) would be fuxored Dale N.
but I have a couple dozen game systems, what's another Jordan D. well, they're supposed to have some sort of way for current users to get their umds in digital format for free, but idk     Dale N. that's the rumor, but i don't know how they'd do it Jordan D. me neither Colette B. right...well, I'd keep an eye on that, and if it was true I would consider getting one Dale N. I'm a gadget whore, so I'm sold. Jim S. They should say, like, "mail us the UMDs and we'll mail you a gift code" Dale N. But I like physical media, too Jordan D. the go is definitely a gadget whore's system, which is why i want one too Dale N. plus, i don't think they're dividing the psp audience Jim S. If I could get my UMDs converted to files for nothing, then yeah, I'm all about the PSP Go Jordan D. haha "let us burn your fucking games and damn them to hell, then we'll give you a code" Dale N. a PSP 2 would be, but this leaves it up to the gamer Jim S. But right now, my PSP 1000 needs an upgrade and I don't know what to do for the best. Dale N. to pick which system Jim S. It's certainly divided me. Dale N. Jim, the best option, no matter how you look at it, is a PSP 3000 and a 8GB MS Duo card Dale N.
IT's already a great system, and you'll be able to d/l to your heart's content Jordan D. agreed    

Jim S. Yeah, I was going to get the Dissidia PSP 3000 Dale N. I wnat a Go because it's small and portable and sexy, but the fact of the matter is that i could do the same things now on my 3000 Jim S. But I am a whore for new things Dale N. oh yeah - you should totally get that Jim S. And now I am confused Jim S.
I also use my PSP as a full media device, and if the Go is better designed for that, this also is tempting Colette B. Well, i like the size Colette B.
but I just want a way to be able to play the PSP games I already own on it Dale N. how would they do that? Jun 10
  Colette B. well, that is my point Dale N. i thought of some kind of internet-based verification Dale N.
like, pop the UMD in Dale N.
and it checks it out and says, 'yep, you own this' Dale N.
but then again, you could borrow your friends' discs or whatever Colette B. I'm not going to be able to find my Japanese imports even if the current library somehow magically becomes available for download Dale N. Colette, exactly Jim S. I think the only way to truly verify is to physically give Sony your UMDs in exchange for codes Dale N. about half of my games are imports Colette B. as it is I already have to carry my DSi and PSP at the same time Jim S. But of course, that is quite an operation to perform Colette B. so now I'm supposed to carry a third system for a whole separate set of games? Dale N. I look at it as the Netbook of the PSP world Dale N.
well, i'm fucked because I have to carry my DS and DSi, as the damned DSi doesn't play our review code roms Dale N.
and now a PSP and a PSP Go? Dale N.
here's something, though - i could see my PSP Go as a daily device, one that i'd carry everywhere Dale N.
or, one that more gamers would carry everywhere Dale N.
(I carry a game system everywhere anyway) Dale N.
Surely they didn't make a system without thinking of who would buy it, so who are they aiming for? Jun 10
  Jim S. Gays Dale N. It did have sparkles Colette B. Well, for me it really isn't about the gadget Jordan D. i assume the kind of people who hate carrying around a bunch of games. not sure if that is specifically the people who already own a psp or not, though. also, the gays, as jim says Colette B. it's about the games Jordan D. there's always the hannah montana psp that got announced Jim S. I was one of the few people defending the PSP Go when it was first revealed. It looks more practical, which I like. Colette B. but I will admit, I load my R4 with the games I already own and take it with instead of having to carry an additional game pouch, and I love it Colette B.
not having to carry the games would make a difference for me Jim S. It's smaller, the buttons can be folded away. The exposed screen is still ridiculous, but it's an improvement, and as someone who travels, I want something that's convenient to carry. Jordan D. i do the exact same thing with my psp. longer battery life, less noise, etc. Jim S. So I really do want a Go. However, I can't justify having two PSPs Jim S.
It is hard to justify one sometimes. Jordan D. either way, i hope the system does well so that the PSP 2 is either all or mostly digital downloads Colette B. Dale has like, 4 PSPs Dale N. Again, I wasn't sold until I held it. It had me right away then.     Dale N. Now 3. And 4 DSs. Jim S. That's because Dale is a hoofer. Colette B. Ideally like I would like is for there to be a way for the games I own for PSP to be downloadable to the PSP Go Colette B.
I doubt it Colette B.
but we'll see Dale N. No, Dale is a consumer whore. Colette B. I think that's the same as being a hoofer. Jim S. If I was a rich tech whore like Dale, this would not be an issue for me. I'd buy eight PSP Gos Dale N. But say they don't. Would you buy one? Jun 10
  Dale N. No UMD to Go transfer -- would you still get one? Colette B. Depends on the games Jim S. Let me put it this way: With UMD transfer, I'd get one with little deliberation. Jordan D. i would, but not at that price. the price is a dealbreaker if there's no compatibility with my current games Jim S. Without it, I would have to think long and hard. Colette B. If there were a few titles I really wanted I'd consider it Colette B.
but yes...price is a factor Dale N. I see - mind you that they'll try to release every future game as a download. Does that help in your decision. Jim S. That depends on how many games we'll see. Sony spends nearly all its time working on firmware and hardware updates and barely any on games Jim S.
I am fucking sick to death of new PSPs and new firmware when I want more games Jordan D. there were a lot of great-looking games at e3, but i'm not convinced either Jim S. A new bunch are coming out of E3, sure, but beyond that? Jordan D. yeah, i don't know Dale N. So it's more about faith in the system than it is the format? Jim S. I don't know about "more," but it is a big factor. Jim S.
I don't have faith in Sony when it comes to the PSP Jim S.
It seems to think hardware makes the system. Jim S.
No, games make the hardware. Colette B. That's exactly right -- and it doesn't. Jordan D. what sony needs to do with the Go is have a similar set up to what the iPhone has Colette B. Games make the system for me. Jordan D. tons and tons of cheap, awesome games Jim S. Sony itself proved that games > hardware when it beat the Dreamcast with the original PSX Jim S.
it's sad that it's forgotten the lessons it taught the industry Jun 10
  Dale N. I'll tell you what: if they have the PSX library ready for d/l, that would help Dale N.
like...more of it Jordan D. or just what japan has access to Jim S. Oh definitely Dale N. Also, if they adapt the DSiWare-ish model, that would be nice too: cheap, quick, fun games Jordan D. fuck, they have a lot of games Dale N. yep Dale N.
on both the PSP and the DSi Jim S. You tell me the Oddworld games are coming to PSP and I'll start to care a bit more Dale N. But even then, you could play those games on the PSP 3000 Jim S. This is very true. Jim S.
The PS3 as well, actually Colette B. The whole PSP Go model is based on pressing the gadget whore's buttons Dale N. For this year, I think there's a strong lineup: Dissidia, Soulcalibur, Little Big Planet, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Dale N.
So many great games. And, I'm still scratching my head at the "only 5 good games" jabs Jordan D. there's also some motorstorm game. is that any good? Dale N. i have a ton of games, and there's more I want to get. It's an RPG lover's system. Dale N.
Yes, Motorstorm looked very good Jim S. The trouble with the PSP is, it does have great games Dale N. Also, Resident Evil Portable Jim S. But those games are spread over what, five years? Dale N. Jim, that's fair. but this year is different, for a change Jim S. At the moment, I'm seeing a worthwhile PSP game coming out every six months. That's not good enough Jim S.
I agree. But it's one year out of what will be six Dale N. and I think the pace will pick up with the lower dev costs and download-only distribution Jun 10
  Jim S. And what happens beyond this year? Will Sony give up again? Are these games coming out just to fool us into buying a new PSP, whereupon we'll be hung out to dry again? Jordan D. i really hope the lower dev costs help Dale N. Here's the thing - it used to cost too much, but now devs can have worldwide distribution of games with a click Dale N.
I never felt 'hung out to dry' like I did with, say, the PS3 Jim S. Of course, that will stop the PSP Go being an option Dale N. There is always something I've been enjoying on my PSP Dale N.
That's true. Jim S. Because with lower dev costs, they won't *want* to make UMDs Jim S.
Which will render the 3000 obsolete Jim S.
Which puts me back at square one Dale N. Right. I do see that happening. Jordan D. you know what game we are all forgetting? pixeljunk f'ing monsters Dale N. And I think Sony does, too. Jim S. Definitely. Sony is just pushing this "Go is an option" to squeeze more money out of the 3000 while it can Dale N. But I see no harm in having older game systems around to play older games Dale N.
Unless you live in a closet and you have 2 inches of storage space left Dale N.
hell, people still have their dreamcasts around Jordan D. (nick chester) Dale N. LOL Dale N.
Now, what if those UMD games you already own and love are avaiable from day one as $2 downloads Dale N.
would that change your mind? Jim S. The difference with the Dreamcast is that it's an old system. The 3000 is a new system that Sony tricked people into buying and will make obsolete Jim S.
Which is a bit prickish, really Jim S.
You give me the PSP library for 2 bucks apiece and I'll give Sony a lot of money Dale N. I guess so. Jim S. I can't see Sony being so generous though, of course Jun 10
  Colette B. see, I would buy a PSP Go for Pixeljunk Monsters Colette B.
which sounds crazy Colette B.
but that's how I feel about that game Dale N. No, that's not crazy. Dale N.
Here's another observation about the PSP Dale N.
it doesn't really feel like a portable - I mean, you can take it anywhere, but it has that mini-PS2 vibe Dale N.
maybe it's just a tad too big Dale N.
now we've got this thing that's the size of the iPhone -- so pocketable, and download anywhere games? It's pretty smart in design Jordan D. that also ties in with the games, many of which aren't suitable for a portable system Jim S. Yep. I fucking hate the old PSP design Dale N. so maybe they're dicking over current PSP customers with the UMD thing -- if you look at it this way, they almost had to do it Jim S. It's not been designed with portable gaming in mind. It was designed to look "cool"     Dale N. Right. but the Go feels like a very well designed portable game system...for once Dale N.
down to the hand feel and button placement Jim S. This I agreed with the moment I saw it Dale N. Here's another thing: if you truly only have "five psp games" then getting this shoudln't be an issue, right? Jim S. I love the design. It looks goofy, but it also looks practical Dale N. if you've got a small library, I understand the hangup Jim S. Well, that was a joke. I can't remember how many I've got Jim S.
Most of them are PAL though, which means I couldn't trade them in, annoyingly Dale N. oh shit, I forgot Persona PSP! Jun 10
  Jim S. I think a big factor here will be seeing just how cheap the downloadable games truly are Dale N. Too many good games. I think people are blinded by the DS. I love that system, and have so many games that it's stupid. But that doesn't make the PSP worse for having less good games. There's still a ton of great games to play. Dale N.
Exactly Jim S. And I imagine right now, Sony is trying to work out what it can get away with charging Dale N. They are reasonable on the PSN with old games Dale N.
I hope that carries over. They have to know that much of their library is old. Dale N.
$10 will be too much for the old games. they give PS1 games away for half that. Jim S. So far, we've seen them charging up to twenty bucks for downloadable PSP games Jim S.
With the cheapest being around fifteen Dale N. I think the new ones will continue to be $20 Jim S. Killzone Liberation is, I think, $15.99. I have a feeling that'll be common for older UMD games on the PSN Dale N. And to that, I say download better, older games and play them on the go: FF7, Wild Arms, Hot Shots Golf (okay, so I'm alone on that last one) Dale N.
Wild Arms is $5 - that is amazing to me Dale N.
I think sony has a nice portable coming up, but they have a lot to do on the backend to make this worth the transition for its customers Dale N.
so, day one: who's in? Jim S. I totally agree. I love the look of it, I like the idea of a self contained system that doesn't need physical discs. However, I need to see more before I am convinced I don't need my old PSP. Dale N. Just me?     Jim S. I can't say for sure yet. At that price point, I'm wary as fuck. Dale N. I mean, I just bought a new Green Japanese 3000 about a month or so ago Jun 10
  Colette B. It depends for me what is announced game-wise by then Jordan D. depends if they have it in white Colette B. Yeah, but you buy everything Colette B.
=P Dale N. I'll buy you! Colette B. HAH Dale N. While wearing the Monopoly hat! Jim S. "I'd buy that for a dollar." Dale N. *slams down cash* Colette B. Tradtionally, I hold off on new systems until I have a better idea of what games will be there for it Colette B.
right now, I don't know what I get WITH the PSP Go Jordan D. it's the videogame quote that works in any situation Colette B. so I can't say I'm in on day one Colette B.
if a lineup of games is announced before then Jordan D. actually, by the time the thing comes out, i'll probably just be getting a PS3 Dale N. fair enough Colette B. then, well, I would be able to say
  Dale N.
  Jim S. Tell you what, I'll cut Sony a deal. Pack the PSP Go in with Talladega Nights, and they have themselves a sale. Jordan D. haha Dale N. hahah

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Red Octane interested in Guitar Hero 'franchise
compatibility'

When Red Octane and Neversoft announced that all Guitar Hero World Tour downloadable content would also work with the upcoming Guitar Hero 5, everyone's wallets cheered. But one thing they didn't mention to press at E3, as far as I knew, was the ability to transfer tracks from the World Tour disc to your hard drive for use in Guitar Hero 5.

According to Australian gaming site Gameplayer, the feature was announced at E3... but no one was paying attention. Or they heard it from an off-the-record source. Not entirely sure (I'm a sloppy, but decent, note taker), I followed up with Red Octane to get the scoop. 

"Franchise compatibility is something we are interesting in and we are looking into," I was told by a representative for Red Octane, "but we do not have any details to share at this time."

So that means while it's not off the table for the future, the ability to rip songs from the World Tour disc to your hard drive hasn't been confirmed. Red Octane did reiterate that the World Tour downloadable content would be fully-compatible with Guitar Hero 5, "and will feature all of the game's upgrades and enhancements."

Would the ability to move your World Tour songs to your hard drive to play with your Guitar Hero 5 library nudge you in Activision's direction? Or has its yearly multi-game assault permanently turned you off?

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FiveSterne

FiveSterne is another new point and click type hidden objects game. Spot 5 stars to advance to the next scene. Click left Mouse to spot five stars hidden in every scene. There are 24 scenes to go....

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http://www.escapegames24.com/2009/06/fivesterne.html

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E3 09: Brutal Legend Interview - With Gameplay

If you ever hoped and wished for Jack Black to be in a video game where he doesn't play a panda, well your dreams have come true. But you already knew that. Before the end of the year you'll finally be able to get your hands on Tim Schaefer's latest ...

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http://www.truegameheadz.com/blogheadz/e3-09-brutal-legend-interview-with-gamepla
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