We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie, the latest installment in the beloved Katamari series, brings back the whimsical and addictive gameplay that fans have come to adore. Published by Bandai Namco and developed by Monkeycraft, this remastered and expanded version of the 2005 game offers revamped graphics, improved UI, and an additional mode that delves into the youthful days of the King of All Cosmos. Let’s roll into the details of this charming and eccentric title.
The game revolves around The Prince, who is sent to Earth by his father, the King of All Cosmos, to create a massive katamari. Players roll the katamari to collect various objects, from small items like paper clips to entire cities, aiming to create a star that illuminates the night sky. We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie adds a new mode called Royal Reverie, allowing players to experience the King’s childhood through five unique challenges. While this additional mode provides some interesting backstory, it falls a bit short in terms of content, leaving players craving more – especially if you were holding out hope for a proper sequel in the series.
We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie builds upon the simple yet addictive gameplay of its predecessor. Players navigate through different levels, fulfilling requests from fans and encountering various mission types. The game offers a good variety of challenges, such as collecting fireflies, raising funds for a fundraiser, or rolling up a Sumo wrestler with food. These novel mission designs are an improvement over the original game, adding depth and diversity to the gameplay experience. However, some may miss the straightforward joy of creating the biggest katamari possible, so luckily you can still do that as well.
Controlling the katamari can be a mixed bag. While the controls work well for the most part, the camera occasionally becomes finicky, leading to frustrating moments. It would have been beneficial to have more precise camera control options to alleviate this issue, which feels like it’s been around since the PS2 days. On the bright side, the game does include multiplayer modes, allowing players to roll together locally. Coordinating movements with a friend can be challenging but adds an extra layer of enjoyment.
We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie impresses with its updated graphics, breathing new life into the vibrant and colorful world of the Katamari series. The art style faithfully represents Keita Takahashi’s original artwork, capturing the game’s unique charm. The soundtrack, although not surpassing the first game’s iconic music, remains enjoyable. The Digital Deluxe edition even includes additional DLC featuring tracks from other Katamari titles, providing a nostalgic treat for long-time fans.
We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie offers a delightful and eccentric experience for both new players and fans of the series. With improved graphics, revamped UI, and enhanced mission design, it stands as the best version of the beloved Katamari title. However, the new Royal Reverie mode falls short in terms of content, feeling somewhat underwhelming. Despite this minor setback and occasional control issues, the game remains a must-play for those who appreciate its quirky and addictive gameplay – though if you still have access to the game’s previous versions you might not want to make the investment.
Score: 7.8/10
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