Harmonixer
November 1st, 2004, 16:37
Recently, it has come to my attention that an amazing game has been been slipping under a lot of peoples' radars. The title of this game, you may ask? Why, just reading the title will tell you that it is none other than Katamari Damacy.
The first question you may have upon hearing about this game may be "Katamari Damacy? Why, whatever could that mean?" Translated from Japanese, Katamari Damacy means 'clump of souls'. The game holds true to this translation.
Allow me to set the scene for you: The king of all cosmos, while on a fun romp through space, has managed to destroy every single star in the universe--including the moon. Enter the prince...who is only a few inches tall in contrast to his immense father. You, as the prince, are supposed to clean up your father's mess as repayment for him giving you life. Oh, it is wonderful. How are you supposed to do this? Just how are you supposed to create more stars? By rolling around earth, picking things up. Yes, even you can create stars!
You start off rolling around a tabletop, with no time limit. Your goal? Roll your 'katamari', or 'sticky ball' around, picking things up. You must make it at least 10 cm in circumfrence.
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/screen0/918766_20040309_thumb002.jpg
This seems easy, and it is since you do not have a time limit. However, the difficulty quickly grows as your time limit shrinks, and your goal katamari size is increased. Eventually, you must make a katamari at least 300 meters big.
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/reviews/918766_20040824_thumb002.jpg
Along with the levels included in the storyline, there are levels that are aimed to be a sort of sidequest. The first of these is "Make Cancer", in which you must collect as many crabs as possible in roughly 10 minutes. This allows you to create the constellation of the crab, Cancer. Among the constellation sidequests are Virgo, in which you must pick up any and all women, and Ursa Minor: in which you must find the biggest bear possible.
The next huge point for this game is the graphics. The graphics are not exactly up-to-date, no. However, the graphics are sure to amuse even the most complex mind. The prince is small, and green...much like a cliche martian. The King of all Cosmos is large, muscular, and seems to be wearing a purple Persian rug on his head.
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/screen0/918766_20040309_screen012.jpg
As you can see, the colors are vibrant, and seem to jump right out at you. The best thing about it is that the people in the game look like megablocks characters. In short, it's an orgasm for the eyes. Excuse my blunt language.
Now one may be led to wonder "Gee, how do I control this big mass of random stuff?" Well, my friends, use use the analog sticks. Just the analog sticks. The controls are much like a tank. You push both analog sticks forward to move forward, pull both back to roll backwards, etc. Pushing the left one forward and the right one back allows you to turn right, and vice versa. If you hit an item too large for you to pick up...there are certain consequences. You lose some items off of your katamari.
Now, if you are still not intrigued by this game, then perhaps the price will get you. At a mere $20 release date price, this game is more than worth its money. I highly urge that you pick up this great, if not very strange, title if you get the chance.
EDIT: And, of course, the music in this game is amazing. From the ever-wonderful theme song, to the simple fanfare of a star being created, the sound is simply exquisite.
Thank you, and have a nice day.
Your friendly neighborhood news reporter: Tom DeFelice. :D
The first question you may have upon hearing about this game may be "Katamari Damacy? Why, whatever could that mean?" Translated from Japanese, Katamari Damacy means 'clump of souls'. The game holds true to this translation.
Allow me to set the scene for you: The king of all cosmos, while on a fun romp through space, has managed to destroy every single star in the universe--including the moon. Enter the prince...who is only a few inches tall in contrast to his immense father. You, as the prince, are supposed to clean up your father's mess as repayment for him giving you life. Oh, it is wonderful. How are you supposed to do this? Just how are you supposed to create more stars? By rolling around earth, picking things up. Yes, even you can create stars!
You start off rolling around a tabletop, with no time limit. Your goal? Roll your 'katamari', or 'sticky ball' around, picking things up. You must make it at least 10 cm in circumfrence.
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/screen0/918766_20040309_thumb002.jpg
This seems easy, and it is since you do not have a time limit. However, the difficulty quickly grows as your time limit shrinks, and your goal katamari size is increased. Eventually, you must make a katamari at least 300 meters big.
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/reviews/918766_20040824_thumb002.jpg
Along with the levels included in the storyline, there are levels that are aimed to be a sort of sidequest. The first of these is "Make Cancer", in which you must collect as many crabs as possible in roughly 10 minutes. This allows you to create the constellation of the crab, Cancer. Among the constellation sidequests are Virgo, in which you must pick up any and all women, and Ursa Minor: in which you must find the biggest bear possible.
The next huge point for this game is the graphics. The graphics are not exactly up-to-date, no. However, the graphics are sure to amuse even the most complex mind. The prince is small, and green...much like a cliche martian. The King of all Cosmos is large, muscular, and seems to be wearing a purple Persian rug on his head.
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/screen0/918766_20040309_screen012.jpg
As you can see, the colors are vibrant, and seem to jump right out at you. The best thing about it is that the people in the game look like megablocks characters. In short, it's an orgasm for the eyes. Excuse my blunt language.
Now one may be led to wonder "Gee, how do I control this big mass of random stuff?" Well, my friends, use use the analog sticks. Just the analog sticks. The controls are much like a tank. You push both analog sticks forward to move forward, pull both back to roll backwards, etc. Pushing the left one forward and the right one back allows you to turn right, and vice versa. If you hit an item too large for you to pick up...there are certain consequences. You lose some items off of your katamari.
Now, if you are still not intrigued by this game, then perhaps the price will get you. At a mere $20 release date price, this game is more than worth its money. I highly urge that you pick up this great, if not very strange, title if you get the chance.
EDIT: And, of course, the music in this game is amazing. From the ever-wonderful theme song, to the simple fanfare of a star being created, the sound is simply exquisite.
Thank you, and have a nice day.
Your friendly neighborhood news reporter: Tom DeFelice. :D