Once Upon a Katamari continues the series’ classic formula of rolling around a giant ball that picks up everything in its path. I have always enjoyed playing these games, so I was excited to finally see a new entry released. This time, there is a fun new twist — players can travel through different time periods and experience levels with a time-travel theme.
To be honest, there isn’t much of a story here. While there is a narrative, it is silly and not meant to be taken seriously. The game features the hilarious and charming King of All Cosmos, who accidentally destroys important planets like Earth and the Moon after stumbling upon a mysterious scroll. With the planets now in ruins, it’s up to the Prince to roll through various historical eras, collecting objects to restore these worlds to their former glory.
The time-travel concept works nicely, offering a range of eras such as Edo Japan, the Prehistoric Era, and more. There are over half a dozen different time periods, each with multiple levels to explore. The game also introduces new gameplay elements, including power-ups that provide temporary boosts. These can slow down time, increase the ball’s speed, or act like a magnet to pull in nearby objects that can stick to your Katamari.
Once Upon a Katamari features a wide range of customization options and multiple playable characters. The customization system is surprisingly deep, with items unlocked by completing levels and meeting various goals, both optional and tied to the main story. I am not particularly fond of customizing characters myself, so it didn’t make much of a difference to me personally, but I can see many players enjoying this feature.
The playable characters are the Prince’s cousins, who can be collected throughout different levels. Each stage includes several collectibles — some are hidden, while others are easy to find. For example, players might pick up the King’s crown, one of the Prince’s cousins, or a secret item that only becomes known once the level ends. After completing a stage, the King of All Cosmos usually gives a short summary, noting the Katamari’s size, any secrets or bonuses found, and what objects it’s made of. It’s a small touch, but one that adds charm and makes the end of each level a little more enjoyable.
The gameplay in Once Upon a Katamari is as fun as ever, carrying the same quirky charm and slight jank the series is famous for. The camera controls can feel a bit awkward at times, and it takes a little while to get comfortable with the movement. For more casual players, there’s a simplified control scheme available, but I stuck with the classic setup that uses both analog sticks to move and turn. Katamari just doesn’t feel quite right without the original controls.
One issue I did run into involved the camera. While the game attempts to make camera handling easier, it can sometimes block the view behind large objects. To address this, the developers included a system where obstructing objects temporarily disappear, giving a clearer view of the Katamari. Even so, it still feels slightly clunky. At this point, though, it’s part of the series’ charm. However, if you’re new to Katamari or tend to get frustrated easily, the simplified control option might be a better choice.
One mildly frustrating aspect is when the King of All Cosmos starts talking in the middle of a level. It can break your focus and interrupt the flow of rolling around. Each stage typically has a timer and a set of objectives to complete, but the levels are designed with multiple paths and plenty of hidden collectibles, which adds a lot of replay value. This entry also introduces a new mode called KatamariBall, which supports up to four players. It’s a chaotic multiplayer mode where everyone rolls their own Katamari, and the biggest one wins. I didn’t get much time to test it out fully, but it seems like a fun addition to the game.
The game features an all-new original soundtrack filled with the same whimsical, upbeat music that fans of the series have come to love. It also includes several classic tracks from previous Katamari titles, with options to play both Side A and Side B versions. This entry clearly caters to long-time fans who have followed the franchise over the years. For returning players, there’s also a nice bonus available for having save data from earlier Katamari games.
Once Upon a Katamari successfully brought back the familiar joy I associate with the series. It retains the same charmingly clunky gameplay that many of us fans appreciate, while adding more depth through a wide range of customization options. These features encourage replaying levels to unlock new content and items. Beyond that, the game’s appeal might be a bit limited due to its tricky controls, though the simplified control scheme does a good job of making it more accessible for newcomers.
Once Upon A KATAMARI Game Information
- Price: $39.99
- Publisher: Bandai Namco
- Developer: RENGAME
- Platform: PC, PS5 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
