Katamari Damacy Reroll (2018)

Before I get into the review proper I want to reflect on the short amount of time I have been apart of Grouvee. This website has been a breath of fresh air to me and I was so happy to see a games club in the forums to take part in. I know I have been quiet but I like what I see here and I hope to keep being here in future. Big shout out to Grouvee and the community.

Katamari would have been the series I thought I'd never return to. I originally played one of them on the Xbox 360 and bounced off of it simply because it wasn't a shooter, there was no co-op and the objective felt silly. I mean you are rolling a Katamari to make stars in the sky. It just couldn't have been further from the kind of game I was playing at 17 or so. It was a game series that was originally recommended to me by my best friend and I thought it was beneath me. It's been a little funny how much gaming in my 30’s seems to be making up for the cool games that I missed when I was teenager. I say this because Katamari Damacy Reroll is an absolute silly blast. I loved every level, never felt bored and laughed at some of the absurd humor the game seems to have.

The thing that stood out to me on the first few levels of Katamari is just how well placed and paced and designed the levels are. You start very small in a family living area and gradually work your way up to rolling up cities. It was a very satisfying and fun build to start small with objects around and in the kitchen as you can see the spaces grow and become bigger for you to get more and more things. By the end as I alluded to earlier, you will be rolling up buildings and land masses.

Something that I think impressed me as well about the levels was how well designed they were and how fun they were to explore. I never felt lost and could always see where to go next. I think the design is always signposting where to go next which helps. There are normally some kind of sign for where to continue next so that you will never feel lost. To help this the time that you are given to complete each mission is pretty generous. I found myself almost doubling the size on several missions even. I only had to restart a couple of times and that was due to not understanding a certain route but once I did I never failed again. Truly great map and level design and signposting.

Another thing that makes this game just a joy to play is how much absurd humor is infused into the story and the levels themselves. Nothing made me cackle harder for the first time than hearing and seeing police officers shoot at my Katamari when it gets too big. The cutscenes about the family and the stars being replaced just make me smile wide. That and all of the banter from the King of Cosmos themselves just put a gigantic smirk on my face.

The other major part that just makes me feel so happy to play this game is all of the music. Every level track is so wonderful and makes every challenge so much more fun. A big shout out to the main theme that plays during the final mission as it just hyped me up and helped me finish when I thought I wasn't going to make the time limit. The collection of styles on display again are just a pure joy.

I have been talking about joy and happiness with this game and I think it just succeeded on that front for me. It's an effective experience that you can complete in a couple of days. Sure sometimes controls and camera can be a little finicky but it was very fleeting. The reason I've been talking so highly of this game is pretty personal for me. Recently a family member passed away who I was pretty close with. This game was able to just delight and help me through the day. It speaks to how much joy, whimsy, heart and overall fun is infused into it. It's going to be the reason I will be a series fan going forward. I know there is another reroll of the second game and I cannot wait to play this game. For now though, Katamari Damacy Reroll was at the right place and at the right time for me.