In what is sure to be regarded as one the strangest and most unique RPGs in recent memory, Chulip's odd graphic style and gameplay is definitely a candidate for cult game hit status. Combining console RPG elements with the goal of kissing everyone in town to win the girl of your dreams (in the most literal fashion, as she appears in your dreams at the beginning of the game), Chulip delivers more than enough head scratching RPG oddity to satisfy gamers looking for a unique experience.

What begins as a dream of kissing your true love under the gaze of the personification of a tree (that emerges from a pretty suggestive hiding place), soon becomes a quest to help the residents of Long Life Town where the young hero and his father have just moved. It is up to our hero to solve all the towns problems, (while being blamed for most of them) while attempting to kiss almost everyone in sight. The player must watch the clock (located in the upper part of the screen) carefully and mark when characters (many of them who hide underground and can only be viewed by examining holes in the pavement) go about their daily schedules, in order to smooch them at the opportune time. Trying to kiss a character when they don't want affection causes the player to be knocked down and lose hearts, while a successful kiss earns money, reputation and eventually level ups. There are increasingly weirder characters to kiss including a doctor that wields a huge syringe, a man in bondage ropes, a man in a telephone pole who often appears to block your path, the Onion Lady (a lady whose head transforms from a giant onion and back) and a huge headed cop that shoots on sight if he sees you at night. The surreal characters are certainly part of the charm of the game, and are the main reason why the game itself is so odd.

Chulip's gameplay is rather simple, consisting mostly of trying to figure out when to meet characters in order to kiss them, or running around trying to acquire objects to solve problems the town is having. It is however, the only game I have seen with a button that is dedicated to kissing. A pretty standard RPG inventory system is used, movement is pretty solid (although I tended to get stuck trying to get past some objects and characters in certain spots), and examining/using objects is handled in a similar manner to most games in the RPG genre. The save system is unique, as you have to use the bathroom back at your house, adding yet again the strange factor of Chulip. The house also provides a handy place to refill your heart meter, via some encouraging words of love from the hero's father. The sound design is interesting, as all the characters speak in a strange subtitled gibberish that reminds me a bit of Ryman on the Dreamcast, or Star Fox on the SNES. The mostly a capella sound track is fun and engaging, once again adding nicely to the overall quirky feel. The graphics are nicely detailed, and the grays and browns of Long Life Town provide an excellent backdrop for the zany characters that populate it (the only problem being that the scale of the characters versus their environments makes the game seem cramped at times). Day and night are also handled well. As the clock rolls forward, darkness falls, and street lamps cast light over the blue tinted town. Some citizens change their demeanor as well, changing back when daylight arrives again. This makes it imperative for the player to explore the town at all hours of the day and night. One of the only detractions of the game is the number of times players might see the "Game Over" if they aren't careful. Our hero is constantly coming into contact with hostile town residents (often without warning), and it is extremely easy to get a fatally broken heart early in the game while just trying to thoroughly explore the town. This can cause a lot of frustration your last save was a long time ago. This is definitely a "save often" game, and failure to do so may cause a few thrown controllers, or worse. It is interesting to see the weird animations that cause broken hearts, but not when saving requires so much backtracking early in the game.

For RPG fans looking for a weird diversion as they wait for the next round of games from Japan to hit the US, this one certainly fits the bill. While the quests can be a little repetitive, the strangeness of the game should keep players pressing on to find the next "I can't believe I just saw that" moment. For those players just looking for a diversion into strange land, a mini strategy guide is also included in the manual to help breeze through the game. While it may not be for everyone, Chulip certainly delivers in oddness (with occasional creepiness) and quirky fun. Playing with like minded friends is encouraged so that you will have another witness to the weirdness! This is just the kind of game I wish that more publishers would take a chance at, if only they were more lucrative. I'm always searching for games that are off the beaten path in either gameplay or storyline, and Chulip certainly delivers!