The Katamari fandom has braved by way of the dry Katamari-less years of 2010s. I bear in mind ready for a brand new recreation with baited breath just for one to be introduced for a handheld system I didn’t personal. Quick-forward to 2018 when the Katamari Damacy remaster launched and I used to be lastly alive and rolling once more. And now, we lastly get the primary new mainline entry since 2011’s Contact My Katamari. My solely worry was that it was going to be a half-hearted nostalgia reiteration, however I’m completely satisfied to be confirmed unsuitable. As soon as Upon a Katamari isn’t only a model new self-contained entry—it’s maybe probably the most jam-packed and polished one ever with the total unbridled Katamari appeal intact and darn happy with it.
For these unlucky avid gamers who’ve by no means rolled a katamari ball of their life, to begin with, I’m sorry in your loss, however right here’s a quick overview what you’re lacking out on. You start as a tiny ball in a sandbox stage crammed to the brim with wacky objects and civilians, all suited to the actual theme after all. The objective is to roll over as a lot stuff as attainable, step by step rising giant sufficient to beat towering timber, buildings, and even maybe reaching the very heavens. This identical easy idea is alive and effectively in As soon as Upon a Katamari, virtually unchanged from Katamari Damacy. Regardless of how wacky the video games get, the gameplay loop has stayed true to its origins, and that’s one factor I proceed to understand with the newest entry.
“If there’s one factor the sport refuses to innovate or iterate on, it’s the storytelling.”
The story and presentation can be virtually 1 for 1 from the primary recreation, with some small variations. One stellar misfire, and the whole lot goes sideways. It’s as much as the pint-sized Prince to revive the material of time by going by way of a bunch of various eras and, you guessed it, rolling up the whole lot in sight. A set of straightforward cutscenes spotlight the Queen’s journey by way of time. It’s all splendidly zany and charming in that traditional Katamari style. If there’s one factor the sport refuses to innovate or iterate on, it’s the storytelling.
The primary distinction setting this entry aside from the remainder is the extent selection and sheer wealth of content material. This is perhaps some of the jam-packed video games within the sequence, however it additionally spreads itself evenly with nice selection. Whereas earlier video games passed off in varied areas inside a vaguely Nineteen Nineties Japan, this one explores 9 completely different time durations throughout varied continents. I’ve all the time puzzled what shenanigans a Katamari recreation set in America’s wild west or historic Greece might convey and, effectively, now I do know.
One stage put me aboard a pirate ship at sea, moments earlier than a rival ghostly ship appeared and boarded us. I ultimately rolled up sufficient sabres and barrels to gather each crews, however I nearly didn’t wish to interrupt their preventing. Set-piece moments like this boost the normal gameplay and make ranges really feel extra dynamic and unpredictable. The sport’s theming even ties into targets, giving every stage its personal mini-narrative. Rolling up a boy till he was giant sufficient to put on samurai armor had me laughing the entire approach by way of. As a substitute of a katamari ball, you roll because the boy, selecting up katanas and sweets as he bulks up. It’s such a novel degree concept solely a Katamari recreation might ship, and this recreation has loads like this.
One other factor I like is how every of the 9 eras has its personal distinct overworld that comprises the levels. Seeing how all of the completely different objects, animals, and other people start to populate every overworld as you full ranges provides a enjoyable sense of development, even when it’s principally beauty. Your house ship comprises all of your collectables and customization content material, performing because the precise hub of the sport. You’ll be able to even embellish the ship’s higher ground with themes from the eras you’ve visited.
“Whereas earlier video games passed off in varied areas inside a vaguely Nineteen Nineties Japan, this one explores 9 completely different time durations throughout varied continents.”
It’s additionally aboard your spaceship abode the place the web multiplayer part of the sport will get unlocked. Sadly, it is a disappointing space—not simply because it takes fairly some time to entry (effectively into three eras of ranges), however as a result of there aren’t any actual native multiplayer choices. A second participant can management the identical katamari as Participant 1, however that’s about it. KatamariBall is the lone multiplayer mode and it’s really enjoyable regardless of the constraints: 4 gamers compete to construct the most important katamari, with bigger gamers knocking objects off opponents earlier than tallying their haul underneath a transferring spaceship. Rewards embrace particular katamari patterns, however they’ll solely be used on this mode. It’s a busy, aggressive mode that rewards map information and mechanical ability, however the lack of native multiplayer and the lengthy wait to even entry it’s a misstep.
Talking of missteps, KatamariBall is the one place I seen framerate stutter. There are noticeable drops throughout matches, presumably from all 4 gamers rolling up objects directly. The sport isn’t a giant graphical leap from previous entries, so the efficiency hiccups are inexcusable, particularly on highly effective consoles. I’m not knocking the graphics, by the way in which.
“KatamariBall is a busy, aggressive mode that rewards map information and mechanical ability, however it’s the one time I skilled lag and takes some time to unlock.”
The artwork type stays the identical polygonal, blocky, charming Katamari aesthetic that followers liked concerning the first recreation. It is a nice boon for the sport because it permits the chaos to be simply seen and understood at a look. The inflexible sharp traces on objects make it straightforward to know you’re taking a look at a Cousin, a Crown, or simply one other goofy object prepared for rolling. I additionally discover it simpler than ever to discern whether or not an object is ‘rollable’ or not primarily based on its relative dimension. And with this recreation’s 9 distinct eras chalk-full of themed objects throughout time and house, that conventional artwork type is put to wonderful use. There’s extra distinctive objects to roll up than ever earlier than, whether or not they be Egyptian-themed or from the wild west.
The music is pure Katamari goodness as effectively. I’ve been hooked on the sequence’ soundtracks since Lonely Rolling Star, and this recreation delivers one other stellar set. With 30+ new tracks throughout wildly completely different genres, it’s one of many strongest musical lineups but. “Skyscraper” is a wildly artistic monitor utilizing dance-pop as its base to leap between glitch-like instrumentation and enjoyable vocals. Different tracks are extra jazzy or rock-based, however there’s some that channel that optimistic Lonely Rolling Star vitality with out feeling too by-product. Every of the overworlds has its personal theme, although these are way more laid again instrumental tracks. As a music nut and Katamari fan, I couldn’t be happier. It is perhaps my soundtrack of the 12 months, and extra importantly, it’s unmistakably Katamari.
Even after attempting the brand new recreation, I wrestle to call the entry with the very best ranges. If I had a katamari ball rolling straight for my head, I’d say We Love Katamari or Katamari Endlessly. However when it comes to sheer amount and selection, As soon as Upon a Katamari beats all of them. And in contrast to Katamari Endlessly, near-flawless although it’s, there isn’t a single recycled traditional degree—not even an homage. It’s all brand-new materials (apart from returning Cousins and the King’s fixed snark). That alone makes this entry really feel substantial. Followers get the whole lot from cramped bedrooms to large open areas the place skyscrapers and full islands are yours to roll up. The problem curve feels extra approachable, too, with out sacrificing problem. Like latest remasters, you need to use conventional tank-style controls or a contemporary management scheme. I persist with the traditional controls resulting from behavior, however newcomers will discover the up to date setup intuitive.
Sadly, getting interrupted by NPC dialogues whereas rolling might be fairly counter-intuitive. Whenever you open a brand new room or acquire a cousin, the textual content seems proper in the midst of the display, blocking your visibility. You’ll be able to skip by way of it, however solely with the advance button, which is annoying throughout quick, time-sensitive runs. You can also’t change textual content velocity, and auto-progression makes it straightforward to overlook complete paragraphs should you’re attempting to hurry textual content up. Ugh, two steps ahead, one step again I suppose.
Against this, the extent design is extra intuitive than previous entries. There are nonetheless no goal markers (fortunately), however sturdy theming and gameplay-linked targets make navigation natural in a approach older entries didn’t. A sure potential merchandise really does type of operate as an POI marker. The sonar merchandise pings the final route of Crowns and different objects of curiosity, whereas the brand new magnet potential merchandise gravitates all close by objects which can be sufficiently small to be glued to your katamari ball.
“Seeing how all of the completely different objects, animals, and other people start to populate every overworld as you full ranges provides a enjoyable sense of development.”
There’s additionally extra to gather than some other recreation within the sequence: three crowns per stage, cousins, presents, S-ranks, and non-compulsory challenges. Going for these targets provides a satisfying issue spike. The intuitive design and useful gadgets don’t make issues cupcake straightforward although—they only make them extra honest and enjoyable.
However the recreation is lacking one factor I actually appreciated in earlier entries: limitless mode (or everlasting mode because it’s referred to as in some titles). There’s one thing cathartic about mastering a stage after which freely rolling by way of it with no timer stressing you out. Most video games restricted this characteristic to some ranges, however Lovely Katamari on Xbox 360 let gamers unlock limitless mode for each stage. Contemplating what number of targets and crowns there are right here, it’s a missed alternative to not embrace any limitless levels. Costume rewards are enjoyable, however having the ability to roll my favourite levels with no timer would make for a extra gameplay-oriented prize.
As soon as Upon a Katamari actually impressed me. I didn’t anticipate to get a lot model new content material throughout such assorted levels. And with that traditional Katamari appeal worn on its sleave in such an unapologetic approach, it’s simply an irresistible bundle (and it’s half the worth of Nintendo’s premium titles too). Regardless of some efficiency points in multiplayer and the shocking absence of limitless mode, it captures the whole lot that makes Katamari particular and delivers it with a recent, ingenious twist. For longtime followers, it’s a triumphant comeback effectively definitely worth the 14 12 months wait. And for newcomers, it’s probably the most intuitive and welcome expertise but .
This recreation was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.
