Katamari Damacy Reroll Review

 

Rolling All Over Again-A Katamari Damacy Reroll Review

The Katamari Series is one I'm quick to reference when I enjoy the relaxing, trance-like aspects of certain titles. Surprisingly, outside of a small indie title in Donut Country which wasn't necessarily similar, I have yet to see the formula of Katamari looked at outside of the original series, so let's take a look at what made these games so special. 

Simply Outstanding

In Katamari Damacy you just...roll stuff up. This is the unbreakable foundation that these games build upon.

As something I've harped on a million times, I have always preferred when game designers use the environment to create complex situations instead of adding more mechanics. As such, Katamari is entirely revolved around (1) its unique control scheme and (2) its diverse environments.

For example, while the main mechanics don't shift, your objectives do-look at the levels revolving around specific star signs, where you are tasked to collect as many of a certain item listed (collecting crabs for cancer, etc.). While this title, which is a remake of the very first game, tends to reuse environments it is nevertheless insane how much mileage they get out of the concept. 

And that main concept is by far the most satisfying aspect of the game. Collecting larger and larger objects to your ball as your go is given striking visual effects to indicate growth. Looking back at how you used to roll around a small island to being able to engulf the landmass whole is one of this game's key perfections of satisfaction. 

The controls are another factor of note. Debuting with the invention of the DualShock controller, in Katamari you move with a combination of both control sticks. This simulates using both hands to push around a gigantic boulder, and is immensely satisfying to use when you eventually master it. By the end of this game you'll be using both thumbs with maximum efficiency as you speed up and slow down to maneuver these vast environments. 

As for content, there's somewhere around 20 stages to go through and a pretty enjoyable multiplayer mode. I felt there was just enough here to both keep things compact and continually interesting as well as provide enough for the $30 price tag. 

So what exactly does this remake add?

Aside from a very nice upscale job that doesn't detract from the simple visual aesthetic of the original games, this remake is simply a faithful port. I've heard concerns from some that the controls have been altered in some way or the engine isn't perfect, but I had no such issue. By the end of the game I felt I had a supreme handle of the controls and felt no obvious deviation from the PS2 original. Perhaps some of the complaints come down to adjusting to the layout of the Xbox controller as opposed to the symmetrical stick layout of the PS2. 

I believe Katamari Damacy Reroll was Bandai Namco's attempt at testing the market for the demand of Katamari in order to determine if they should make a new entry. As such it plays things safe, simply upscaling graphics and adding nothing to the main game (funnily enough even saving remains manual like the originals, with no autosave option).

Verdict

Katamari Damacy Reroll was the title in the series that got me into Katamari, and I find it is a great starting point for everyone. What Katamari does perfectly is create this intensely casual gameplay loop of picking things up to happy music, and it never steps too far outside of that boundary. In short, these games are a must play for anyone who wants something to just pop in and relax to.