When it comes to unique and eccentric gaming experiences, few titles can hold a candle to the enchanting world of Katamari. Originally released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 as Katamari Damacy, this game has rolled its way back onto modern consoles with a remastered version in Katamari Damacy Reroll. The result is a charming and nostalgic adventure that introduces a new generation of gamers to the quirkiest universe in gaming history. As someone who experienced the original release, I was more than excited to once again try my hand at making the largest Katamari possible and appeasing The King of All Cosmos.
The story of "Katamari Damacy" is, to put it mildly, unconventional. You play as the Prince, tasked with rolling up objects by your demanding father, the King of All Cosmos, who has accidentally destroyed the stars and planets of the solar system. The narrative, while present after completing a level, is light and doesn't take itself too seriously. The dialogue and cutscenes are filled with whimsy and humor, and the bizarre cast of characters adds to the game's oddball appeal. This story, however, is really only a vehicle to get the player behind a Katamari to roll up more and more oddities, a fun backdrop for the game's wacky antics.
At its core, Katamari is a third-person puzzle-action game, where you control a small, adhesive ball (the Katamari) that you use to pick up objects and grow ever larger. The objective is to meet a specific size requirement in each level by rolling up everything you can find, from thumbtacks to people, cats, cows, and cars. Once you reach the specified size (or larger if you are fast enough), The King of All Cosmos turns the Katamari into a planet, replacing the ones he inadvertently destroyed. The controls, although a tad quirky and hard to get used to, become more intuitive with practice. You essentially control the Katamari much like a zero-turn lawn mower with the Left and Right joysticks acting as the control sticks. While this should be simple enough, the never ending amount of objects, insects, animals, and people you need to avoid until you are large enough to stick them to you Katamari is what makes controlling the ball, and the game overall, a challenge. The Reroll remaster did implement support for the Nintendo Switch Gyro controls, but I never utilized this feature as it wasn’t how I originally experienced the game back in 2004.
One of the standout features of every Katamari game is its vibrant and quirky visuals, and this upgraded version of the original doesn't disappoint. While the remaster retains the game's original whimsical and colorful art style, it is able to take full advantage of modern hardware, like the Nintendo Switch OLED screen, to deliver crisp, high-definition graphics. Furthermore, the soundtrack, composed by Yuu Miyake, remains just as catchy as ever. From the iconic "Katamari on the Rocks" to the soothing "Lonely Rolling Star," the music perfectly complements the game's unique atmosphere. You'll find yourself humming these tunes long after you've put the controller down, especially my personal favorite “You are Smart.”
Katamari Damacy Reroll, much like the original release, offers a decent amount of content, with a variety of missions and unlockables to keep you engaged. There's also a competitive local multiplayer mode that allows you to compete with friends to see who can create the biggest Katamari. Also like the original release, however, this remastered version is still a bit short for those looking for a more extended experience and doesn’t contain any significant new content.
Katamari Damacy Reroll is as charming, whimsical, and odd as its initial release nearly 20-years ago. This slightly new, yet still bizarre experience manages to recapture the magic of the original while looking better than ever. Its quirky visuals, delightful music, and uniquely addictive gameplay make it a must-play for both nostalgic fans and newcomers. While the lack of any substantially new content is a bit of a disappointment, the game's originality and charm remain as strong as ever. So, if you're in the mood for a heartwarming adventure through the cosmos with a dash of absurdity, Katamari Damacy Reroll is well worth the ride.
The story of "Katamari Damacy" is, to put it mildly, unconventional. You play as the Prince, tasked with rolling up objects by your demanding father, the King of All Cosmos, who has accidentally destroyed the stars and planets of the solar system. The narrative, while present after completing a level, is light and doesn't take itself too seriously. The dialogue and cutscenes are filled with whimsy and humor, and the bizarre cast of characters adds to the game's oddball appeal. This story, however, is really only a vehicle to get the player behind a Katamari to roll up more and more oddities, a fun backdrop for the game's wacky antics.
At its core, Katamari is a third-person puzzle-action game, where you control a small, adhesive ball (the Katamari) that you use to pick up objects and grow ever larger. The objective is to meet a specific size requirement in each level by rolling up everything you can find, from thumbtacks to people, cats, cows, and cars. Once you reach the specified size (or larger if you are fast enough), The King of All Cosmos turns the Katamari into a planet, replacing the ones he inadvertently destroyed. The controls, although a tad quirky and hard to get used to, become more intuitive with practice. You essentially control the Katamari much like a zero-turn lawn mower with the Left and Right joysticks acting as the control sticks. While this should be simple enough, the never ending amount of objects, insects, animals, and people you need to avoid until you are large enough to stick them to you Katamari is what makes controlling the ball, and the game overall, a challenge. The Reroll remaster did implement support for the Nintendo Switch Gyro controls, but I never utilized this feature as it wasn’t how I originally experienced the game back in 2004.
One of the standout features of every Katamari game is its vibrant and quirky visuals, and this upgraded version of the original doesn't disappoint. While the remaster retains the game's original whimsical and colorful art style, it is able to take full advantage of modern hardware, like the Nintendo Switch OLED screen, to deliver crisp, high-definition graphics. Furthermore, the soundtrack, composed by Yuu Miyake, remains just as catchy as ever. From the iconic "Katamari on the Rocks" to the soothing "Lonely Rolling Star," the music perfectly complements the game's unique atmosphere. You'll find yourself humming these tunes long after you've put the controller down, especially my personal favorite “You are Smart.”
Katamari Damacy Reroll, much like the original release, offers a decent amount of content, with a variety of missions and unlockables to keep you engaged. There's also a competitive local multiplayer mode that allows you to compete with friends to see who can create the biggest Katamari. Also like the original release, however, this remastered version is still a bit short for those looking for a more extended experience and doesn’t contain any significant new content.
Katamari Damacy Reroll is as charming, whimsical, and odd as its initial release nearly 20-years ago. This slightly new, yet still bizarre experience manages to recapture the magic of the original while looking better than ever. Its quirky visuals, delightful music, and uniquely addictive gameplay make it a must-play for both nostalgic fans and newcomers. While the lack of any substantially new content is a bit of a disappointment, the game's originality and charm remain as strong as ever. So, if you're in the mood for a heartwarming adventure through the cosmos with a dash of absurdity, Katamari Damacy Reroll is well worth the ride.