Review: Katamari Damacy
It is rare that our occidental coasts are graced with games that stray away from our gaming sensibilities. It has happened on a few select occasions in the states, like the release of Rez and Ico. And I am happy to say that it has happened again with the release of Katamari Damacy.
Katamari Damacy may not make sense to the mainstream American gaming public. You do not run around shooting enemies or tackling other players. In Katamari Damacy, you play the role of the Prince of the Cosmos who rolls his katamari around different environments until you collect enough stuff to create stars (since your father the King has taken the liberty to destroy them all.) As you roll your katamari, things that you roll over stick to it and cause it to get bigger.
The concept is simple enough but the gameplay is not. The challenge of Katamari Damacy is to enlarge you katamari to a given size in the allocated time period. The games succends in capturing the gamer because it forces him/her stategize on how to develop the katamari. Gamers have to selectively chose a path that allows them to pick up the most items in order to grow and enter new area that were previously denied to them because of size. While rolling around randomly might work in the early levels, the gamers must pick their paths carefully in the latter levels. As the gamer progresses, the katamari gets bigger and so is able to pick up larger items. Do not underestimate the sheer joy of rolling over a plethora of objects and living things.
There is a bit of a learning curve as the gamer gets used to using both analog sticks on their controller. The availability of the levels for replay after you pass them is very helpful in this respect. I replayed the 1st level (Star 1) various times until I was comfortable with the controls.
While the graphics look a bit dated, they add to the charm and character of the game. The sounds in the game are stellar. The soundtrack along is a must have, plus certain objects and people make hilarious utterances. For example, once your at a decent size, you can roll over a school principal who yells "Detention for you! Detention!" The blocky characters in the game compose its unique aesthetics. This is one of those games where the fun factor and great soundtrack make you completely forget about the look of the game (think of how great Rez is due to minimal graphics and maximum sounds.)
In closing:
Katamari Damacy belongs in the library of any gamer who appreciates games that don't take themselves too seriously. If you liked Rez, Incredible Crisis, Ico or games with a distinctly Japanese sensibility, then you should purchase KD (plus it retails for only $20.) Happy gaming.
