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Wacky But Unique Mechanics
The minds behind the beloved Katamari series have done it again with We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie. After success following the remake of Katamari Damacy, Katamari Damacy REROLL, Bandai Namco returns with a remake of the second game in the series. Originally published in 2005, We Love Katamari is one of PlayStation 2's hidden gems that gets a fresh feel in this remake with improved graphics and quality-of-life updates that make this already lovable game, even better.
Following the story of Katamari Damacy REROLL, the King of the Cosmos has gained quite a following. Despite being responsible for drunkenly destroying the stars in the first place, replacing them with the help of his son, the Prince, has made the King quite popular among the people. Now, with his newfound fame, he wants to give back. Enlisting the help of his son, the Prince, again, all the people’s wishes will soon be granted as We Love Katamari REROLL follows the story of the Prince completing their personalized requests.
A Refreshed Look & New Features
Though the majority of the story and the gameplay does not differ too much from the original 2005 game, the enhanced graphics do make the already vivid joyfulness of We Love Katamari stand out that much brighter. In tandem with the new graphics, there is also the added feature of Royal Reverie. This is a unique mode in which players will get to take on the persona of the King of the Cosmos himself, as a young boy, whose story is also told throughout the various charming cinematic sequences between levels. There will be several difficult challenges to beat in this mode, but they make for great additional content to really test the player.
While it may be something many would not consider a significant change, there is also a new selfie mode introduced in We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie. This allows players to snap a picture of their customized Prince hard at work. Though unnecessary for actual gameplay, it is a nice aesthetic feature that brings a little more personality to the game. Finally, one of the optional new additions to the latest Katamari remake is the DLC content, a Katamari Damacy Series Music Bundle. This DLC will add 25 new classic soundtracks that can be played while completing the various levels and give players the Little King costume. Though this is a nice feature, neither of these aspects seems that imperative as We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie already contains great music and plenty of customizable options for the Prince that are unlocked through progressing through the story.
Wacky But Unique Mechanics
Whether a player is stepping into Katamari for the first time or a returning fan of the franchise, We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie is a strangely charming puzzle game that doesn't disappoint. Through the tutorial, players are efficiently taught the mechanics of rolling a Katamari, but it isn’t so extensive that it gives off that hand-holding feel some modern tutorials do. Unfortunately, though refined in some ways, the process of using both analog sticks to control the Prince’s movements can still feel a bit clunky at times. While it’s not a perfect system, it deserves some praise for its wacky uniqueness, and the controls do become a little easier to manage after progressing through a couple of levels, so they shouldn’t inhibit players from enjoying the experience.
However, there are several challenge levels making a return that could have been given some more re-evaluation, as their design is likely to still frustrate players as much as it did in the original, such as a level that requires the Prince to collect the largest Cow or Bear that he can find. In order to do so, he must become large enough to collect that creature without accidentally rolling over hundreds of frustratingly sneaky, smaller versions, which will automatically end the level. Frustrating challenges aside, the different levels of We Love Katamari REROLL are still both creative and fun.
From the Hansel and Gretel candy level to the beautiful firefly level taking place under the moonlight, each environment has a unique feel that keeps the game from feeling too repetitive. In tandem with the unique feel, many of the levels also provide a great deal of satisfaction, as the Katamari begins tiny enough to only collect paperclips and eventually reaches a size capable of rolling up buildings. Not only is the gameplay itself enjoyable, but the finishing touches, like the music, are pleasant and make this weird game feel that much more complete. Finally, another notable point is replayability, which We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie does a fantastic job with, not only in the fact that players can return to best their previous scores, but some of the levels even provide additional challenges after completing them.
Final Thoughts & Score
Though We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie is certainly not a game for everyone, with its occasionally wacky mechanics and bizarre at times story, there is no doubt that those who choose to pick it up will be pleasantly surprised by its quirky, colorful, and addictive style. Not to mention that hanging around after the credits will allow players to complete a very satisfying final Katamari level that ties up the game beautifully and will leave players with overall satisfaction both in terms of narrative and gameplay.
Source: Nintendo of America/YouTube
We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie is available now on Nintendo Switch and PC. Screen Rant was provided with a Nintendo Switch code for the purpose of this review.
