Impressions: Katamari Forever (PS3)

Gallery: Katamari Forever
Let's get this straight: Katamari Forever is a beautiful game. It looks marvelous, and even though we were only able to view the one visual filter (the cel-shaded toon look), we have a feeling the other three will be equally as stunning. Just call it a hunch.
Another new implementation is a bounce maneuver that the Prince can employ at anytime. By hitting one of the shoulder buttons, you can bounce into the air. Or, you can simply use the Sixaxis's motion-sensing abilities to get the same effect without hitting a button. The new maneuver works effectively regardless of what mean gets you to that end, and is especially useful when you're stuck in a corner. Though, it should be mentioned you can't use the Sixaxis to turn or control the Katamari outside of bouncing.
Outside of that, it's really the same experience you've come to know. If it ain't broke, don't fix it is the name of the game here for Namco, and most of the improvements promised for the final game are cosmetic in nature. If that sounds fine to you, then you'll likely enjoy Katamari Forever for what it is: an old classic with a new paint job.
Another new implementation is a bounce maneuver that the Prince can employ at anytime. By hitting one of the shoulder buttons, you can bounce into the air. Or, you can simply use the Sixaxis's motion-sensing abilities to get the same effect without hitting a button. The new maneuver works effectively regardless of what mean gets you to that end, and is especially useful when you're stuck in a corner. Though, it should be mentioned you can't use the Sixaxis to turn or control the Katamari outside of bouncing.
Outside of that, it's really the same experience you've come to know. If it ain't broke, don't fix it is the name of the game here for Namco, and most of the improvements promised for the final game are cosmetic in nature. If that sounds fine to you, then you'll likely enjoy Katamari Forever for what it is: an old classic with a new paint job.












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dmacleod14 @ Jun 4th 2009 7:11PM
i cannot wait for this game. it's gonna be so good! i loved katamari and ever since the 360 exclusive came out and they said they would do an original ps3 exclusive game i've been waiting patiently and now i cant wait any longer.
oh, and FIRST
Ashitaka @ Jun 4th 2009 8:36PM
You were doing so well... until you wrote that last sentence.
Oh well, maybe next time.
narutohendrix @ Jun 4th 2009 8:36PM
Way to jump on the band wagon. Three games came out before the 360 version. A version that Keita Takahashi had nothing to do with and was just to cash in on the franchise. Check out the first two games and you will realize what you were missing.
Overgauss @ Jun 5th 2009 4:06PM
I wish to know the wrath of the firpoleece, and so I have upvoted you. It takes balls of mascarpone to type out all of that and still declare first at the end.
Dmacleod14 @ Jun 8th 2009 8:38AM
i beat the first two on ps2... i said that i've wanted a ps3 exclusive ever since they made a 360 exclusive
Roto13 @ Jun 4th 2009 7:12PM
Considering I've never owned a Katamari game, "more of the same" is exactly what I want. :P
Rippedpants @ Jun 4th 2009 7:13PM
so will this be a retail game or a psn game?
I assumed it would be retail but I thought I saw it in the psn 'sizzle' video at the press conference
if its psn then im definately getting it, if its retail then its a maybe
megapenguinx @ Jun 4th 2009 10:09PM
Really that lazy not to go to the store to buy it?
Rippedpants @ Jun 4th 2009 10:51PM
honestly, im not ashamed to say that I am!
come on, I can buy full pc games from my home, full movies from my home, I can do my banking from my home and even order groceries from my home, why cant I get katamari forever from my home?
maybe im just spoiled...damn they are making things so easy for us bubble people!
Michael K. @ Jun 5th 2009 4:39PM
If its really laziness, you could just order retail games and have them delivered to your home.
mts @ Jun 4th 2009 7:24PM
so is this a new game? or a rehash of the first two on ps2??
MarkShark @ Jun 4th 2009 10:31PM
The video from before told me it was a PS3 port of the 360 version. Probably has a bunch of extras.
Mr. Joe @ Jun 5th 2009 10:32AM
mark is not correct. from a kotaku article, they said it is actually a remake of the original katamari damacy for ps2 with some new items, different objectives, and a few new levels. this isn't a port of any version. it's more of a remix of the okd.
belovedconsole @ Jun 8th 2009 11:13PM
Gosh RippedPants, you really don't like to go out. I wonder how you earn money. I'm kinda jealous. I would love to stay at home and get everything vicariously. Wait, just looked up the word, "vicariously" and I don't think it implies. No, I think perhaps you have some kind of ultimate, almost pre-hyperspace life, where you get everything you need while sitting in one place. And I'm not dissing that. Only, how do you do it? Cos that's what I want. I mean, you could be living with Mom-- and I'm not judging-- work it, you know, whatever-- or you could be a programmer who hates to leave his house. Or maybe you're a Swami or something. Anyways, if you ever thought about writing a book on how to never leave the house and still meet all your needs, WRITE IT! I need to learn these secrets.
Gillfigno @ Jun 4th 2009 7:27PM
We love rolling up things into the Katamari.
We are most pleased.
nickux @ Jun 4th 2009 7:28PM
Has this been confirmed to be coming out at a discounted price? I love Katamari but I worry this won't offer up much more than my old copies of Katamari Damacy and We
nickux @ Jun 4th 2009 7:29PM
weird- looks like my comment got messed up. Anyways- hope this isn't a $60 game. Love Katamari but not sure if this offers enough new stuff.
Saria the Cat @ Jun 4th 2009 7:29PM
Is it really "forever" if you don't have the option of indefinite DLC releases? :) I mean, once you beat the game, that's it, right? Forever is a pretty big word to slap onto a game.
I love Katamari games, but they will always make me nauseous after playing for over 20 minutes, so I have to take them in small chunks.
charlie b. @ Jun 4th 2009 7:44PM
i think they called it what they did, because it will be the last Katamari game FOREVER. ...you know, until Katamari Forever 2.
DrgnAK @ Jun 4th 2009 8:16PM
I was under the impression that they only adopted 3D Realm's development timeline with the new Katamari game.
Think Adrian @ Jun 5th 2009 6:47AM
I think it has a forever level, like the "one million roses" level in We love Katamari :)
DiL @ Jun 4th 2009 9:30PM
Hmm, katamari seems like the one game that would make the sixaxis actually useful. its a shame they're not letting you control the character with it
Mr. Joe @ Jun 5th 2009 10:24AM
you haven't played flower, have you?
DiL @ Jun 5th 2009 2:24PM
na i havent. been meaning to though
Phwach @ Jun 4th 2009 9:33PM
Are they bear baiting in that screenshot?
Kdiggy @ Jun 4th 2009 9:38PM
best game ever.... while high.
tofoomeister @ Jun 5th 2009 10:12AM
...on MDMA.