Rule of Rose | A Complete History and Retrospective

Hey Dad,
For October, we'll be taking a look at another horror game, Rule of Rose. Let's see if this classic can stand the test of time, and if Rule of Rose still holds up today.
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CHAPTERS
Intro 0:00
Development 4:13
Rule of Rose 8:48
The "True" Story 1:10:10
Final Thoughts 1:14:18

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Hey Dad, how do you feel about Rule of Rose?🌹

[@heartlessangel2910]

I’ve yet to watch, but recall seeing a video review back during its release and watched some of a play through…. What a curiously unsettling game. Should be interesting.

[@dickhandsome6579]

I'm not entirely sold on the later twists, but I think it's a really remarkable game that uses a familiar formula but has an incredibly distinctive atmosphere and setting. It has the feel of a rough gem that got lost in the crowded seas of the PS2 library. I think it would be a sleeper hit as an indie today, but in 2006 it was fighting uphill to get noticed and has sadly become nigh impossible to play as intended without a small mortgage.

[@zarkuscz3571]

Im simple

[@backgroundnoise9310]

it's an amazing game, son.

[@AlessaNitara]

I love this game almost as much as I love the Silent Hill series. But I'm not willing to admit what I paid some years ago to have a physical release in my hands. This was your university money, I am sorry, son. (Although I paid way less than the ebay prices are.)

[@oldmanharley4018]

a shame some aspects of this game cannot be openly spoken about on yt. for instance the adults disappearing from the orphanage, we know why and even when, there's a police investigation on hoffman because he's been "inappropriate" with at least one of the girls, the sickly princess/ the mermaid. there's a lot of clues and pretty on the nose aspects both surrounding her and during her bossfight that makes it clear what happened, the adults argue about this and there's blame slinging between them, in the end hoffman makes it so he's the only adult left on the premises and simply takes off, escaping before the police investigation can resume, leaving the children alone

[@revolutionofthekind]

I'd say you can talk about it, i've seen other channels do so, but its a risk for sure. I personally think its a worthwhile one to tell the story completely, but i do understand the anxiety.

[@bluewolf6323]

Honestly, I also blame the people that so badly wanted Rule of Rose to be censored and not made mainly because of homophobia and "child endangerment" when there is much to the story. I wish so badly for Rule of Rose to be remastered because it's my favorite story! If we get a remastered, I would faint!! Also, he wasn't just touchy with the mermaid...he was also touchy to the second in common princess...and that would sadly explain why she feels the need to sexualize herself...

[@LizzieDunwich]

I'm a simple girl: I see my favorite video game, I click the thumbnail

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Hope you enjoy the video!

[@LizzieDunwich]

@@YourFavoriteSon1 omg my son replied! That's why you're my favorite!

[@SuperNeos2]

@@LizzieDunwichSo are you the Mom since we’re all Dads? 😂

[@donovanfaust3227]

​@@SuperNeos2huh, I just thought we were all his dad regardless of gender.

[@billyreynoldsjr2229]

I'm a simple man: I see my favorite son uploaded, then I click the video and hit that like button. 🤣🤣🤣

[@killshape1234]

dude makes retrospectives of ALL my favorite games, I LOVE YOU SON

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Hope you enjoy the video!

[@vibe1337]

[@anglo-saxonconnor817]

This game was frown upon,censored and banned in so many countries back then because too many parts of the world refuse to let the subject in this game to be widely known and publicised to the world. Abuse of children and abuse in orphanage.

[@shannonvoss3376]

This game is near and dear to my heart. At the time when it came out, I was a young teenager dealing with bullying and it helped me navigate what I was feeling. It felt like it was almost what I was going through.

[@onetitwndr]

"The house has eyes and it notes our arrival" hard ass line

[@jamesabernethy7896]

I never played this game but recently saw a fantastic retrospective on it. It's great to see how different people tell the story.

[@rufioquin2406]

I picked this up on release simply because it was Atlus and horror themed. I never finished it due to the awful combat after getting stuck in a particular section, and I never went back to it. Thankfully, I never got rid of the game and this is making me want to go back to it and give it another chance. I recall loving the music and atmosphere.

[@Nameless-ny8nk]

My man that game costs like 1,500 dollars now 😭 you're so lucky

[@HippieGodzilla]

Watched this whole vid in under 12 seconds and i have to say very informative and interesting video.

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Top of the speedrun leaderboards

[@homerhat420]

I got to the part where there's a dog in a bag and it made me sad I turned it off 😂

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Yeah it's not an easy game to get through.

[@InvertedJabberwocky]

Son, it fills me with such joy that you made a video on this bleak, beautiful game :) I think I'll always be a little bitter that the undeserved controversy it garnered (especially that in Europe) ultimately scared off local distributors from releasing the game here in Australia.

[@asherpatterson5988]

I used to head into EB games back when I was 12 asking when it was coming out

[@TheFolklorist]

I just wanna say thank you for doing this vid, it's great! And thank you for not brushing over the aspect of love in the story, a lot of people write the young love off as friendship when I think its very important to the narrative.

[@smayotte113]

Love this. RoR has long been my favorite horror game (Along with Silent Hill, Haunting Ground, and Fatal Frame), and this retrospective did it so much honor. Amazingly done - Thank you!

[@otakubacklog]

Fun fact, I bought a copy of this game around 2016 for $150, traded it for something and now it’s whatever price it’s at now 🙃 great video!

[@skarmory93]

I see it for £575 in my local game shop, still in its plastic

[@samuelg7673]

I had a chance to get it for $15 used at eb games back in the day, if only I didn't

[@jeffrey1954]

I rented it from Blockbuster first when it came out in 2006 off the praises of it in a gaming magazine I would regularly buy. I couldn't get enough of it, then after searching for I don't know how long, I found it in a store and bought my copy new for $40-$50. And then years later my dumb ass gave it to my cousin! She just moved in with my family and I saw it with her belongings. Might have to, you know...convince her to sell it back.

[@Tenchigumi]

I used to work at SCEA HQ in Foster City (later San Mateo), and they often have these internal game sales where they try to clear out old stock, selling mystery bundles of 10 to 15 PS2 games for like $5. In one of those bundles, I managed to score a copy of Rule of Rose, which I've clung tightly to ever since.

[@revolutionofthekind]

Rule of Rose is one of those games for me that like. If i hadnt experienced it with other people, i would think was a nightmare i had. I was about 17 when me and my best friend watched it on youtube, in 2007 when that was still a new thing to do, and by far it is one of the most formative pieces of media in my life. The soundtrack alone, especially the song from the Bird chapter, hit me like a gutpunch even now. The mermaid fight theme still gives me chills. It would be incredible if it got a remaster, because I think its reach is truly underestimated. A lot of people i know and artists i admire were inspired specifically by rule of rose, and i can only imagine if it got re-released how much more appreciated it would be. Also, And I understand why but I feel its important as it was one of the mosy relatable and painful parts of the game, you missed the story with diana and clara that..well. was about sex*al abuse. This is most evident in the mermaid fight, as the mermaid looks like clara and is trapped in a room with a filthy bed. This informs both of their plotlines, especially diana and why she is how she is, and i think its well worth exploring as a theme because of how it relates to being raised as a girl (whether or not you grow up to be one, lmao. I didnt!) And how it informs why diana in particular was so fraught. When i was 17, i'd never seen anything tackle that topic in anyway i could actually feel represented in. RoR did it. And that slone is worth recognizing.

[@darksungwyndolyn2900]

I’m so happy you reviewed this game. I have a physical copy of this game that I only played once. I loved it

[@jcaa92]

Looking forward to watching another quality retrospective. Keep up the good work son

[@1293jessica]

every one of your videos is such a treat, loved this, thank youuuuu

[@skydus7]

Hey Son, keep up the good work, hope to see more IRL in the future loved the king cobra jfs docu. Love, Dad.

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Thanks, got a couple of projects in the works.

[@evprince]

Really another banger, good timing for this month too.

[@Icepick614]

I never expected you to cover this kind of deep cut of a game. Bravo! You continue to impress

[@dree8300]

I love your retrospectives. I cross-stitch while listening to your videos. Your content is on point, quality videos, quality analysis mixed with philosophy. ❤ keep doing what you do, son. Love, mom 😂

[@stitchlipstudios533]

Love the way you format you content, and was super stoked to see you’re doing Ryle of Rose!!

[@charlottecorday8494]

*Rule

[@stitchlipstudios533]

@@charlottecorday8494 *Ryle

[@stitchlipstudios533]

@@charlottecorday8494Ryle*

[@Myrathosghost]

You're making Amazing videos as always Son! and another about one of my favorite games at that!

[@billmozart7288]

Perfect for Halloween season. This whole thing is unsettling, outstanding work

[@JamesGhodbane]

This masterpiece, Silent Hill 2, The Haunting ground my favorites horror games ever

[@ShaneMorawski]

The early to mid 2000s had some great games that unfortunately had a lot of jank in them. I rented this game out when i worked at rhino games and wanted to love it but the combat was too rough for me to continue. I loved the atmosphere and the bits of story i got through but never made it that far in. Between this and the shadow hearts series i always cursed myself for not having the patience to complete them. Shadow hearts would be a wonderful series to see a retrospective on some day.

[@agroed]

You're trying to earn something really special for Christmas this year by making a video on one of my favorite underrated horror masterpieces, son? Well, I think Santa's going to be very generous this year.

[@Juliest]

Oh wow, Rule of Rose! Now that’s a gem that not a lot of people remember. Never clicked on a video so fast in my life!

[@davidjaxzun581]

My son is talking about my favorite game! You’re making dad proud ❤

[@demetriusmccray1574]

Dude, you have one of the best channels on KZbin

[@scottjones845]

Damn son I didn't know you covered this game, got my bell on n everything! My mood needed this my dude!

[@Zeroantagonist88]

I recently sold my copy of this game. I didn't get much fun out of it, however, I get more enjoyment out of watching people play it than playing it myself. The story is so well done!

[@MissDerpina2606]

Finished watching the video now. You covered up a lot. It's a very detailed video. Thanks for making this video.

[@ErinJeanette]

No one ever talks about this game, yaaay! I've never even played it, but the story makes it my favorite and it's just extra eerie, elusive, and creepy because it's so hard to get and ridiculous to play but hidden within is a totally bizarre and unique story I've never seen anything like it

[@midgetsparkle]

Hi Son It's me, your favorite subscriber. I love the content. Couldn't be more proud of you.

[@ophelialiddell363]

This is why you're my favorite, son. Stellar job. If Rule of Rose had been made ten years later in the era of "walking simulators", I wonder what the game could have looked like. The shoehorned-in combat seems to be what turns people off the game the most. It's still one of my cult faves alongside Haunting Ground. If you only had one hand, would you pet Hewie or Brown?

[@DickMystery]

Congrats on 100k 🎉 Ps: i hope Dark Cloud 1 is on your radar

[@Uveraeth]

Love the vid! I love these obscure games and I'd like to see you cover Haunting Ground or Kuon. I've tried to find physical copies of these games and only ever found Kuon at my local game store.

[@MimiMagicks]

New video from my son! And its about one of my fave games, what a treat! Love from your mom

[@vulturenarc]

Great video, as always

[@SarcasticPossum]

You made me aware of a unique game I never knew existed.Good work,Son.

[@HungryChaCha]

thank you sooo much for doing this game justice.

[@Onitoga]

So glad you did Rule of Rose, it’s one of my favorites!

[@Shift_Salt]

This game really shouldn't have forced combat into it. Probably just have some other way to deal with/maneuver around enemies.

[@salazar556]

A truly underrated game. I hope it at least gets a remaster someday.

[@Monnument]

I love you for this 😭

[@bobloblaw418]

Something you do that grates with me is use "mediums" instead of "media" as a plural. love your content

[@Dropship11]

I loved this game. Silent Hill 2 was the first horror game I played when I was a kid. And it was one of the first games I ever played. I'm glad you did a video on this game. It's one that I always remember fondly as a game like Silent Hill that I loved, but I could never remember the name to find it again.

[@moonmun]

My man son just said "Bah bah" so straight-faced, I couldn't help but grin while listening to the horrible goat story being told xD I love this game a lot. Thank you for making a video of it!

[@GamingWithSpoons]

I'm glad to see you cover this game. I'd love to myself but I'm afraid to because of how dark its subject matter is.

[@RedSpade37]

Right there with you. Today is the day we finally find out what actually happens in this game.

[@NOGREATNAME]

I’d love to see a remaster of this

[@johnecoapollo7]

Thank you for reminding me of this absolute gem, my boy. I am gonna find my old PS2 and give it a spin.

[@TheKingWhoWins]

You just have a PS2 lying around ?

[@AxelleNobody123]

this has been a game ont list for years. I sadly saw a copy for 900. it's a shame it's so expensive I'd love to have it. Thank m you for this retrospective :3

[@GrotesqueIy]

Hopefully Atlus or whoever owns the rights to this game now will see how much attention it's been getting and how many people love it and either remake it or port it to modern consoles. I really hope so

[@meowy2k]

this game is iconic, i'd love to see more horror games like it

[@Gothicah]

Seeing this video after watching your Drakengard+ Neir series got you a a new subscriber 🤙🏽

[@winona6422]

Best thing I could’ve woken up to, thank you son!

[@tehparol]

Thank you for this video

[@desantemeh2122]

i love you son, what a great choice in topic

[@mahirhasan9212]

Great job❤

[@lexa2310]

1:11:36 "he took care of her" Thats a very nice way if saying he locked her in the basement.😑

[@SammieB0007]

I want this remade SO BADLY. I feel it only really flopped because of the TERRIBLE combat system and copy/paste criticism of those that never played it. I truly adored this game and would hit my head against a wall for hours for this game but only gave up on it because the combat was so terrible I just couldn't anymore. I still have this game ready to play on my PS2 in storage. One day, I will play and rage quit again.

[@sAINTDeVille]

I had my first dance with my husbamd at our wedding to the theme song from this game! A little gem entitled "A love suicide" by Yutaka Minobe❤

[@SoraBlackheart]

If Rule of Rose gets a remaster i really hope they also improve the combat but yeah, we need a remaster!!!

[@backgroundnoise9310]

Now this I need to see.

[@elledoll7888]

1:11:15 I don’t believe Gregory’s son went missing, but died… in the stray dog boss it is implied the piles of clothes on the ground are the bodies of the dead children (suppressed memories) and gives the bed with joshuas clothes and the painful feeling Jennifer has when looking at them a very very different implication…. I love rule of rose so much its great to see people reviewing it so favourably and seeing past the frustrating mechanics!!

[@samuelantoniocastillomeza5034]

This was a cool. I never played it but watched a lot about the game and this was a very good explanation of it. The game is tragedy after tragedy.

[@gringobanditosvevo]

Important correction at 29:04 This game uses DIRECTIONAL controls, not tank controls. This is huge to me bc of the poor implementation of the directional controls which clash against the fixed camera angles.

[@davidt3563]

Surprised those pundents were so worried about the violence. I would have thought they would have wanted more and some guns to be added.

[@DasKame]

8:20 i am always impressed that those Scandals DONT't helped the Game Gain Infamous Marketing Power. I remembering every Schoolkid in my Town searching manicly the Manhunt Games, just because they were banned

[@almi8151]

9:03 has me laughing my ass off already 😂

[@rometherevenant8749]

Hey dad, I should've kept my copy of this game and now I regret selling it not knowing how rare and expensive it would be.

[@danielelbow]

great work, son

[@jonhard12]

Nice video glass rose on the ps2 also nice if you like this type of games With emulation this game is getting more recognized

[@cantonnierbethcepourlavhy6343]

Woud you do "Déraciné" ? That one FromSoftware VR game. Despite its flaws, it tells a pretty compelling story along a beautiful soundtrack, yet i've never saw much reviews on it. Of course it requires the VR setup 😒

[@MissDerpina2606]

I don't think Wendy started Stray Dog as a rumour. Stray Dog is Gregory. The Aristocrat Club was likely formed between the November 1929 to March 1930 during the time Jennifer was held captive at Gregory's house. It was Jennifer's captivity by Gregory that led to the 'Legend of Stray Dog'. I know many sympathize with Gregory but seriously what he did to Jennifer was wrong. Also, Martha's letters prove that Gregory was suspected of being the kidnapper by the adults for some time even before Brown was killed. She sent letters to the police from likely September (maybe her letter was replied a month later) to November 1930, a few months before the massacre. I am sure that the adults and orphans knew about Jennifer's captivity and that was what made them suspect Gregory. The children likely called him Stray Dog. Problem is Jennifer has bitterness towards Wendy and others. That is causing her to have issues remembering her past properly. I don't think Wendy dressed up as Joshua because Martha clearly saw Wendy dressed up as herself while 'dog-training' Gregory. She didn't see a boy. Jennifer hates Wendy because she killed her pet. That grudge likely prevents her to recall her suppressed memories clearly. I honestly don't think that within a month a 9 years old girl would tie up a man, strip him down in his underwear and make him her 'dog'. I can't tell what truly happened but I don't think the massacre would have went the way we see in the game. Anyway, those are my thoughts on this.

[@JakalairVG]

Wow, I played this game, but didn't understand most of it. It's weird hearing it explained to such a simple level.

[@FPoP1911]

Oh my... what an unexpected ray of Sonshine. I was listening to a love suicide the other day. night... made. Thanks son.

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

SONDAY

[@AkaiKnight]

Imma have to watch this twice

[@ags8507]

45:09 holy hitboxes batman

[@tiadraws8123]

Wasnt Clara Hoffman's favorite before Diana? I think there were hints about s.a. too 😮

[@platano8667]

oh hell yea. i haven't been able to get that mermaid out of my head since i first saw it

[@papkebe8329]

Another gem review ! Hat’s my son

[@Gaia_Gaistar]

Hearing the controversies reminds me, over the years the faces change but the sentiments of outrage mobs never changes. Control freaks, the lot of em.

[@burynice289]

This reaffirms my belief that metacritic scores, or any review scores should be ignored. There must be so many flawed gems out there lost to time because they're stuck with a sub 80 score.

[@LockeTheCole]

It's a damn shame this game costs so much... I regret not buying it on multiple occasions when it was first released.

[@anglo-saxonconnor817]

This game truly deserve both a rerun release as well as a remake on current consoles today. It was so criminally underrated back then in its original release day.

[@marcusplaystuff636]

Good video son.

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@ahhhhhhhh8228]

I played this a while back ago was thinking about playing it again. I saw how much it costs now so I just emulated it and mcbooted it on my ps2 so I have the full experience.

[@nordinreecendo512]

Son, if you're open to taking requests or suggestions for games, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Wii survival horror adventure game Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon. It's quite beautiful and I think you would enjoy it.

[@ChernyH]

As always you did a great job, son. I love how you address the problem with this game, most reviews don't really criticise its flaws. Still a must play for anyone who loves psychological horror. It would be interesting to see a retrospective on Haunting Ground.

[@Satanna.avemaria]

I always remember the janitor lady calling Jennifer a filthy wretch 😂😂😂😢

[@ritzexists2201]

I always wonder what it would be like to play a truly finished version of this game... It's such a shame things worked out the way they did.

[@syntheticcelery34]

Ah yes, the onion bag treatment. We did something similar as kids. It was a box and we were all very normal.

[@dominik3912]

Waiting for The Evil Within series someday ♥️

[@jkw22]

the ost reminds me a lot of haibane renmei

[@HarryPnass1]

Are ya Halloweening son?

[@almi8151]

Pyramid head: 🥱 Amanda: 😰