Katamari
Katamari is a video game series by Namco , released for the PlayStation 2 , PlayStation 3 , PlayStation Portable , Xbox 360 , Nintendo DS and iOS . Keita Takahashi is the designer of the first and second parts, but was not involved in the development of subsequent titles. The aim of the games is to collect objects by rolling a sticky ball in order to enlarge the ball and thus gain access to new sections of the level. The series impresses with its unusually colorful and charming presentation as well as with a very simple gameplay.
Game mechanics
In Katamari Damacy , the player takes on the role of the prince, whose task it is to form a ball from objects lying around. At the beginning the player starts with an empty ball, the katamari , on which objects lying around get stuck. The ball grows the more objects hang on it, which in turn allows larger objects to be picked up. By exceeding specified sizes, new level sections are also exposed. In Katamari Damacy, the growth of the sphere takes place over several orders of magnitude. That means, you often start with collecting paper clips, pens or similar small parts, then move on to chairs, tables or cars to houses and cities and even entire continents. Some levels deviate from the normal game scheme in that they are not based on collecting objects, but rather, for example, rolling up a snow globe.
The game is controlled with the two analog sticks. Pushing both sticks forward at the same time causes the ball to roll forward, while pushing only one stick forward causes a curve to be made. If you push both sticks in opposite directions, the ball can be turned on the spot.
Games
Katamari Damacy
| Katamari Damacy | |
|---|---|
| Studio | Namco , NOW Production |
| Publisher | Namco |
| Senior Developer | Keita Takahashi |
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
 March 18, 2004 September 22, 2004 not published  |
| platform | Playstation 2 |
| Game mode | Single player , multiplayer |
Katamari Damacy (塊 魂 Katamari Damashii , " lump spirit ") is the first part of the series and emerged from a school project of the Namco Digital Hollywood Game Laboratory . The development cost was less than $ 1 million. The game was only released in Japan, South Korea and the USA, there was no release in Europe.
The plot revolves around the King of All Cosmos , who destroyed all the stars and planets in the sky while drunk. As a result, he instructs his son, the prince, to go to earth and use the katamari, a sticky ball, to collect material for new stars and planets.
Reviews
Reviews were mostly positive. The innovative and unusual gameplay as well as the unusual and crazy graphic style were particularly emphasized. The fact that the game was launched at a reduced price was also praised. The short length of the game was negative.
On November 29, 2012, the Museum of Modern Art announced the purchase of 14 computer games, including Katamari Damacy , for a new permanent design exhibition in the Philip Johnson Galleries from March 2013. The announcement identified the titles as outstanding representatives in the field of interaction design. In addition to the visual quality and the aesthetic experience, criteria were therefore all aspects that contribute to the design of the interaction, such as the elegance of the program code or the design of the player behavior.
We love katamari
| We love katamari | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | Namco , NOW Production | ||
| Publisher | Namco , Electronic Arts | ||
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
July 6, 2005 July 28, 2005 September 20, 2005 February 2, 2006 AUS February 6, 2006 |
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| platform | Playstation 2 | ||
| Game mode | Single player , multiplayer | ||
| control | Gamepad | ||
| medium | 1 × DVD | ||
| Age rating |
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We Love Katamari (or We ♥ Katamari ), known in Japan as Minna Daisuki Katamari Damacy (み ん な 大好 き 塊 魂 Minna Daisuki Katamari Damashii ), is the second installment in the series and the first installment to be released in Europe.
Both graphics and game mechanics are essentially unchanged, but a co-op mode for two players has been added.
Reviews
We Love Katamari reviews were positive. It was praised for its larger scope compared to its predecessor, as well as the better presentation of the story and the more varied missions. The price of the game in Europe was, however, cause for criticism, because unlike in the USA and Japan, where the game was offered at a reduced price like its predecessor, the game in Europe was a regular full-price game.
Me & My Katamari
| Me & My Katamari | |
|---|---|
| Studio | Namco , NOW Production |
| Publisher | Namco |
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
December 22, 2005 March 21, 2006 |
| platform | Playstation Portable |
| medium | UMD , download |
Me & My Katamari (僕 の 私 の 塊 魂 Boku no Watashi no Katamari Damashii , "Our lump spirit" ) is the first part of the series for the Playstation Portable . This time the plot revolves around the King Of All Cosmos , who caused a tsunami while on a beach holiday on earth and thus destroyed several islands. As in previous parts, the player takes on the prince again with the task of collecting matter in order to form new islands.
In the case of Me & My Katamari , due to the lack of two analog sticks on the Playstation Portable, control takes place using the control pad and buttons; in the American version there is also the option of playing the game using the one analogue stick on the Playstation Portable.
Reviews
Reviews of Me & My Katamari were mostly positive, but the lack of variety of levels, loading times and controls were criticized. It was also criticized that the game has no major innovations compared to its predecessors and that it cannot quite match the quality of the same.
I love katamari
| I love katamari | |
|---|---|
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
December 14, 2008 |
| platform | iOS |
| Game mode | Single player |
| control | Motion sensor |
| medium | Download |
I Love Katamari is the first version of the Katamary Damacy series for the iPhone . The underlying game principle is identical to the other console versions. However, the controls were adapted to the conditions of the iPhone, so the ball is not controlled via analog sticks (not available on the iPhone), but via the iPhone's motion sensors, which allow the ball to be moved by tilting it. Keita Takahashi, the developer of the very first part of the series, was not involved in this title.
Reviews
Reviews of I Love Katamari were mixed. So it was praised that the basic gameplay made it to the iPhone. Defects in the controls and stuttering in the graphics, however, clouded the fun; these were reduced in a later patch but not completely repaired. Another shortcoming was that the game couldn't quite keep up with the eccentricity of the earlier titles.
Beautiful katamari
The gameplay and the plot remain basically the same as in the predecessors, with some variations.
| Beautiful katamari | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | Namco Bandai | ||
| Publisher | Atari SA | ||
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
October 16, 2007 October 18, 2007 February 29, 2008 |
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| platform | Xbox 360 | ||
| genre | skill | ||
| Game mode | Single player , multiplayer | ||
| control | Gamepad | ||
| medium | DVD-ROM | ||
| Age rating |
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Katamari Forever
| Katamari Forever | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | Namco Bandai | ||
| Publisher | Namco Bandai | ||
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
July 23, 2009 September 18, 2009 September 22, 2009 |
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| platform | Playstation 3 | ||
| Game mode | Single player , multiplayer | ||
| control | Gamepad | ||
| medium | Blu-ray disc | ||
| language | English, French, Italian, Spanish | ||
| Age rating |
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Katamari Forever , known in Japan as Katamari Damacy Tribute (塊 魂 TRIBUTE Katamari Damashii TRIBUTE ) is the first in the series for the Playstation 3 . The basic gameplay is essentially unchanged, but has been enriched with a few new skills, so it is now possible to jump and suck in nearby objects such as magnets. The game consists of a total of 34 levels, both completely new and levels that have been reused from earlier parts. The latter are shown in black and white and are played out in the memories of the King of All Cosmos . The aim of the new levels is again to restore the stars that were destroyed this time by RobotKing.
Reviews
Reviews of Katamari Forever were mixed. The basic game principle continued to inspire, but the lack of innovations and the persistence of old camera and control problems caused criticism. It was also criticized that the part was mainly a remake or remix of earlier parts and not a completely separate title.
Katamari Damacy DS
A version of the game for Nintendo DS was announced in 2005, but was later discontinued and never released.
Touch my katamari
Touch my Katamari is the current offshoot of the series. Released in 2012 for de PSVita , it brought some innovations, including a new control that was adapted to the operation via touchscreen and sensor field of the PSVita.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Katamari Damacy test overview at Metacritic
- ↑ Paola Antonelli: Video Games: 14 in the Collection, for Starters ( English ) In: Inside / Out. A MoMA / MoMA PS1 Blog . Museum of Modern Art . November 29, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- ↑ We Love Katamari review overview Metacritic
- ↑ Games World Test for We Love Katamari
- ↑ Me & My Katamari test overview at Metacritic
- ↑ http://kotaku.com/5110809/i-love-katamari-micro+review-i-dont-love-katamari
- ↑ Katamari Forever And 100+ Cousins Come To The PS3 In July
- ↑ Katamari Forever demo out in Japan
- ↑ Katamari Forever Eyes-on
- ↑ Metacritic test overview for Katamari Forever