Review: Once Upon A KATAMARI

@brunosbom
2 days ago
3 min read

When Katamari starts rolling, the whole world becomes a cosmic pastime.

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Some games have the power to take your mind off everyday stress, and Once Upon a Katamari does exactly that. Legendary since the PlayStation 2 era, the series returns with all its chaotic and creative essence. Here, our only concern is figuring out how to make the ball grow to unbelievable proportions.

For those unfamiliar with the franchise, “Katamari” in Japanese means “ball” or “cluster.” In the game’s context, it’s a magical, adhesive sphere that the protagonist, the tiny Prince, rolls around, picking up everything it touches. You start with small objects like paper clips and candies, and end up absorbing houses, mountains, and even planets.

The story follows the series’ classic absurd tone. The King of All Cosmos, in one of his usual cosmic accidents, destroys the sky, and it’s up to the Prince to rebuild it by rolling giant katamaris that become stars. Each level gives you a time limit to reach a target size, and the King evaluates your results in his typically over-the-top and comedic fashion.

After almost 15 years without a new title, the franchise returns in great style, keeping its eccentric and charming soul intact.

GAMEPLAY

The gameplay remains the biggest highlight. Once Upon a Katamari preserves the series’ simplicity and charm but adds fresh ideas that renew the experience. Players can now travel through time, visiting eras like the Ice Age, Feudal Japan, and even the Jurassic period.

New tools include a magnet that attracts nearby objects and an expanded customization system, letting you personalize both the Prince and his katamari. Another great addition is the Katamari Ball co-op mode, which supports up to four players online or offline.

Challenges vary between growing as large as possible, reaching a specific size, or doing so in the shortest time. Each stage offers a delightful mix of items and obstacles that keep the experience unpredictable and consistently fun.

Once Upon a Katamari maintains the chaotic heart of the series while adding modern polish. The controls are fluid, the pacing addictive, and the learning curve nearly nonexistent anyone can pick up the controller and start rolling without hesitation.

VISUALS AND SOUND

Visually, the game is a burst of color and creativity. Each environment is unique and filled with tiny details, blending absurd elements in hilarious ways. The art style remains cartoonish, but with sharper textures, better lighting, and flawless fluidity that perfectly complements the series’ signature chaos.

The soundtrack is another highlight. Once Upon a Katamari keeps the tradition of mixing J-pop, jazz, electronic beats, and quirky vocals. It’s impossible not to hum along while playing. Sound effects like objects sticking together or the King’s dramatic reactions add even more humor and personality to the gameplay.

ACHIEVEMENTS

This is where the game stumbles a bit. The achievements are repetitive and uninspired, revolving mostly around collecting all the crowns in each stage. Some are quite tedious, and the system doesn’t encourage natural exploration. It’s perfectly possible to finish the game without unlocking a single achievement, which goes against the fun spirit of gamification that the series is known for. This slightly weakens the sense of progression and reward.

TRAILER OFFICIAL

RESUME

As someone who knew the franchise from childhood but mostly by watching friends play, rediscovering Katamari in this new chapter was a delightful surprise. The creative energy remains untouched. It’s impressive how nothing seems to make sense, yet somehow it all works perfectly. Rolling the ball and watching the world get swallowed up by it captures a feeling few games can match, pure joy in organized chaos.

Once Upon a Katamari is a return full of charm, creativity, and nostalgia. It keeps the chaotic and cheerful spirit that made the series a classic while introducing new ideas that expand its potential. Visually vibrant, musically brilliant, and mechanically simple yet captivating, it’s the kind of game that brings genuine smiles.

Even with its uninspired achievement system and a few easier stages, the final result is a celebration of what makes Katamari so unique: a game that turns absurdity into pure fun.