Once Upon a Katamari review highlights how the series’ signature weirdness and charm have not faded in its first mainline entry in over a decade. The game radiates its trademark mix of meditative calm and manic energy. Every roll, laugh, and bizarre cutscene feels handcrafted with the same care that made the PlayStation 2 classics so beloved. The King of All Cosmos returns in all his eccentric, tight-panted glory, alongside the Prince and his dozens of tiny cousins, for another round of chaotic cosmic cleanup.
The humor remains a standout — absurd yet sharp, constantly poking fun at itself and the player. The localization team deserves immense credit for how naturally every joke lands, from the King’s self-absorbed ramblings to the background gags hidden in each level.
Rolling Through Time and Space
Each stage in Once Upon a Katamari feels like a miniature diorama of madness. The time-travel concept allows players to roll through the Jurassic era, Edo Japan, or even futuristic cities, all filled with quirky objects placed for maximum comedic or visual payoff. Rolling up mummies filming TV shows or samurai wrestling kaiju perfectly captures the franchise’s essence — chaos with intent.
While some eras like Edo Japan are overrepresented, the diversity in settings still keeps things fresh. Objectives range from simple “grow your Katamari” missions to specific collection challenges — like gathering only sweet items or tumbleweeds — that push both precision and creativity.
Music That Defines the Madness
Katamari’s soundtracks have always been legendary, and Once Upon a Katamari proudly continues that tradition. The new “Shabuyuku” soundtrack mixes techno, jazz fusion, and choral harmonies, all anchored by callbacks to the classic Katamari riff. Composer Oscar Sakai and the San Francisco Boys Choir elevate the main theme into a playful yet heartfelt anthem.
Players can even customize playlists across the game’s history, a dream feature for long-time fans. Despite some small playlist management quirks, the ability to roll up pyramids or pirate ships while blasting Katamari on the Rocks or Power of Katamari Damacy is pure serotonin.
More Rolling, More Rewards
Developer RenGame smartly expands Katamari’s loop with collectibles and challenges that keep replaying fun. Each stage hides crowns and cousins, unlocking new cosmetics and levels. Power-ups like the rocket boost or radar add puzzle-like strategy without altering the series’ core feel.
It’s still the same slightly awkward dual-stick control system, and that’s intentional — the clumsy, weighty motion gives every object pickup its charm. Minor balance issues aside, Once Upon a Katamari nails the balance between nostalgia and modern polish, becoming the most feature-rich Katamari to date.
