I Love Katamari

I LOVE KATAMARI is a familiar title to many console gamers who enjoy the challenge of making a sticky ball (a Katamari) grow by rolling over objects. This version offers many modes, including a story mode and a vacation mode (roll up items typically found on vacation). Unfortunately, the game is more challenging than it should be. The first problem is physics. Once the ball is rolling, it's not so easy to get it to stop. The second problem is that it's not all that simple to roll over something small, like a paper clip. The third problem is one of game design. On many levels you have to roll up most of the items in an area before you're large enough to move on. If you struggle with that paper clip, you'll run out of time. The time constraints are also on the stingy side, requiring close to perfect gaming to end with any time left on the clock. In higher levels, when the Katamari is larger, the game mechanics become more difficult to master. This just makes things more frustrating. It's too bad because the underlying game is wacky fun and it's entertaining to see all of the strange things you can roll up, including people! If you can handle the difficult game mechanics, this is an unusual game to check out.