 "We are moved to tears by this game!" | 2008-09-22 |
| - Reviewed By User: A917FBY02HY1T |
This was my first PS2 game. I had seen some friends play it at college, and I thought it looked fun. I found it in a bargain bin for $9, and decided it would be a good starting point for console gaming. The opening screen is full of color, dancing animals, and probably hallucinogenics. The theme song is playing, and it really gets you into the mood to roll up the world!
Learning the controls was difficult as I had never used the analog sticks before. However, the tutorials in the beginning were very helpful. Once I got used to rolling, I couldn't wait to get to the levels!
There are four types of levels:
1) Make a Star. You have a time limit and a size goal. Roll up everything you can!
2) Constellations "Collect as many as you can". In these levels, you have to roll up as many of one type of item as you can. For example, to make Virgo, you have to roll up as many "maidens" (girls) as you can. You can roll up other objects to increase the diameter of the katamari, but you are judged by the count of that one category.
3) Constellations "Find the biggest". In order to make Ursa Major and Taurus, you have to roll up the biggest bear or cow you can. The first item of this category that you pick up will end the level. You will be judged on the size of that object. But beware! Accidentally roll over that teddy bear or that milk container, and it's all over. I found these levels to be frustrating.
4) North Star. Get the katamari as close to 10 meters as possible, without a size indicator.
The music is the best part of the game. The songs create a "must roll" feeling, and they're upbeat.
The King of All Cosmos says some wonderful things, especially if you fail a level. Don't skip his dialog the first time! And beware, you will start to speak in the royal "We".
There are three levels in which you can unlock "Eternal" mode. "Eternal mode" lets you roll around the level with no time limit! It's a great way to teach someone how to play and let them get used to the controls without the threat of failure. These levels are Make a Star 4, 8, and 10 (Make the Moon). To unlock this mode, you have to create a very large katamari. Keep trying!
You can also achieve "comets" by reaching the goal very quickly. I haven't found any reward for getting these comets, but it makes you feel good.
This game will make you smile. Whether it's the thrill of rolling up your opponent in two-player mode, or simply hearing the satisfying "Meow" when you roll up your first cat, the happiness cannot be avoided. If you have been suffering from self-inflicted wrist injury a la Guitar Hero or Rock Band, this is the cure! |
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| "Simply... ostrobogulous." | 2008-09-11 |
| - Reviewed By User: AR4FQBHEZF16Z |
This game is obviously not plot-driven. In fact, it contains one of the most conceited plots I've ever heard of... but because the plot matters so little, it is incredibly easy to ignore, and so you just go your way rolling stuff up and becoming the stuff of legend. You start with erasers and thumbtacks, then work your way up to animals and people and finally houses and towers and Godzilla and islands. One of my favorite games ever and one of the only three I ever play on a regular basis (the others are Okami and DDR). Every time I play this game I laugh and smile. It never gets old. The music, which ranges in genre from techno to jazz, is just as great. I have the soundtrack and listen to it frequently.
Don't at all be disheartened by the low-key menu screen. Just wait until the intro starts playing. ;) |
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 "Interesting, but way too repetitious for me" | 2008-08-19 |
| - Reviewed By mrwrite |
I'd long heard the praises of this game from various sources (like BoingBoing) and when I finally got a PS2 (yes, I live in the dark ages), this was the first game I had to try on it. The concept is wacky, which I'm not sure is because the game is wacky or if there's some kind of cultural disconnect between Japan and the U.S., but I have to give the game points for uniqueness. Seems that the King of the Universe did a little too much partying and has scattered things to multiple corners of the universe and as his son, your goal is to go around and gather those things up by rolling around a big ball to which things stick if they are smaller (by some proportion) than the ball itself. As things stick, the ball grows, and you can pick up more things. You have a time limit, so it's a bit of a rush rush to move the ball around gather things up.
As a returning gamer, the "shock" on the PS2 controller (say, when you run into walls) was an interesting twist, but for the most part, after the novelty wore off, I found the game less intriguing and more annoying, as the only thing that really changes between levels is the kinds of things you get to pick up (you start with small things like buttons, and proceed up to buildings, at which point I had had enough). Again, I give it points for not being just another shoot-'em-up, but I think I needed something more than just new graphics (say, maybe, an actual story, which this tries to add, but whimsical can only get you so far) to propel me along. |
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| "Wow" | 2008-07-26 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1K3WVDHQLZLWB |
| Yeah, it's Katamari Damacy. What can be more fun than rolling up actual items you see every day into a huge ball with no other goal than to be able to roll up larger objects? I played this game a couple years back and just had to have it. It never gets old. The game play is completely different and innovative, the storyline is fresh, and the king's twisted, humorous sense of fashion is absolutely hilarious. |
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| "Quirky Fun" | 2008-07-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A19NHQ7WSQLOYK |
Katamari provides quirky fun in a short time.
If you just want to play around for a bit, but not get involved in some long game, Katamari is perfect. You can cause destruction by rolling around and picking things up. It sort of provides a release as you roll your ball about.
The quirkness of the game adds to its charm. The music is fun and fits perfectly.
A great game for some quick fun. |
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| "Fun and addictive" | 2008-07-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1AVEJR5GYBTJ2 |
| Fun game. We like the game "We Love Katamari" better than this one, but this one is still fun. |
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| "fun random game" | 2008-07-14 |
| - Reviewed By User: APB59CA4KN5O4 |
| Katamari Damacy is a fun, quirky, and random game. in this game you use a ball to roll up things smaller than you and when you get enouph you get bigger. while doing this you are accompanied by funny japanese music. This game is a must buy for anyone. |
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| "Most innovative game EVER" | 2008-07-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A40U7H654PKMI |
I had more fun playing through this game a few times than I have had in a long time with the PS2. With extremely innovative controls, goals, and even backstory and graphics, this is a pleasant surprise and break from other high-stress PS2 games from the same era.
I am not an anime or japanimation fan, but as soon as I saw a preview for this game I had to have it! I was not disappointed! The $20 price point when it was brand new was a total deviation from the norm, and now it is even cheaper.
Buy this title for your wife, girlfriend, kids, or yourself. You won't be disappointed! |
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| "never would have guessed" | 2008-06-10 |
| - Reviewed By oneijak |
| This sounds so dumb. roll a ball into items and pick them up. as your ball snowballs into just the right size when you can pick up children, it gets good. It is hypnotizing and so damn simple it is actually remarkable. I LOVE it. |
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| "Katamari is awesome" | 2008-05-19 |
| - Reviewed By darkvoid_666 |
| I have played all of the Katamari games and the original is still my favorite. The controls and boards are simple and similar throughout the gaming systems, but the music is what makes this version of Japanese stylized ball of garbage exciting and entertaining. I recommend to anyone, even if you're not terribly video game savy. |
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