By Mary Ellis Ryan
Katamari Damacy Rolling Live is a Japanese game developed by Namco, originally released in 2004. Here’s the deal on the update. Yes, the game is weird, like really weird. Checking the game out at first I was stuck on the concept, so I looked at the description, “Roll stick and grow.” Okay, that’s not super helpful, but it’s really accurate. Basically, you roll around with a sticky ball called a Katamari and collect anything that sticks to it from pencils and sushi to chairs, cats, and eventually entire buildings. The more stuff you roll up, the bigger you get. The bigger you get, the more virtual fans you earn.
Sounds simple, right? Well it is, sort of. The tutorial is very direct and tells you what to do. But, for me, actually doing it was another story. It took me around 10 minutes to figure out how to roll up a ramp. I was pressing and experimenting on all the controls, looking up videos, even though the guide was right in front of me, and that was only the first step! To be fair to me, it never included how to roll up the ramp, but rather showed the controls. I soon connected a PlayStation controller and honestly, it made a big difference. Using the controller gave me way more control and made rolling around smoother, it even took me less time to complete the tutorial.
I must say again, this game is very unique and quirky. Not to exaggerate, but I’ve honestly never seen a game like this one. Usually, a game will have some new concept in the description, and then the actual gameplay feels completely different. I’ve fallen victim to this many times, but no, this game is direct. You just roll around with a Katamari and live stream your progress to your fans which are NPCs.
Therefore it’s definitely the kind of game you’d play when you want to take a break or just chill with something that isn’t overwhelmingly complex. Katamari Damacy Rolling Live is more laid-back because it lacks plot. However there is dialogue, a lot of it, mainly from the King. The Ling of all Cosmos returns to Earth after realizing he’s been forgotten in the age of live streaming. To win back his popularity, he launches his own channel, which is where the player comes in.
And honestly, it can get a little boring after a while. I especially found it kind of repetitive, especially because the King just loves hearing himself talk. But luckily, you can simply skip the dialogue just by tapping the screen each time it comes up. You may be wondering what the dialogue is for if you’re just rolling your Katamari. You are technically a character, but It’s nothing too extreme as compared to other games that are story based, which is why I said it’s more chill.
While the gameplay isn’t hard, there are different stages with varied backgrounds. For example, Level One is a room in which you have goals to complete that’ll get you more fans. Once you earn enough subscribers from each stage you’d be able to move on to the next. This may seem challenging, however it really isn’t. It may take a few tries to accomplish the goals given, or earn enough subscribers. But the worst thing that can happen is the king scolding you for not being good enough for the fans.
Additionally, the art design does a great job of fitting the game’s unique strangeness. If I had to describe it, I’d say the design is very colorful and cartoonish. In a way it reminds me of those early 90s arcade and console games. But it’s more of a modern version because of the upgrade in iPhone quality. To add on the mix of absurd characters, for example the Prince. He’s a tiny green-suited character with a cylindrical head. The designs of these characters are adorably odd. Add some playful animations with vibrant colors and you have a chaotic, fun, and ultimately charming game.
Oh, and did I mention the sound effects? It may be a small thing, but I just absolutely LOVE the beep it makes anytime you press on something. Can a beep be considered cute? If so, that’s exactly what it is. The sound effects also fit the vibe perfectly. During the loading screen, the music is pretty relaxing. However, once you start playing a level, it becomes intense, a fun, high energy kind of intense. Each level has its own different time limit depending on the task. The music is upbeat and lively which matches the pace. That’s until it hits the 30 second mark, because soon enough there will be a ringing alarm in your ear, reminding you to try harder because it’s almost time to face the King.
I find Katamari Damacy Rolling Live unique and fresh with its simple and colorful but satisfying gameplay. It’s a game that’s easy to pick up and enjoy, and its vibe all blends in perfectly. But personally, I feel like it lacks a bit of depth. However don’t knock it till you try it, because you might just find yourself hooked on rolling that silly Katamari around – just like me!
Mary-Ellis Ryan attends Baruch High School. She is the newest intern at the New York Videogame Critics Circle, and we look forward to publishing more of her work.
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