Once Upon a Katamari Reviews
The base game is $40 and can take you anywhere from 5 to 15 hours to beat. If you’re a fan of the series, it will be a must-buy for you. If you want to get into the series, or just really love good music, you’re going to want to check it out as well. I just personally wasn’t a fan of the controls or the stress induced from the timer.
Once Upon a KATAMARI is still really fun, but it doesn’t quite live up to the dream of what I wanted a new Katamari game to be. The developers clearly put a lot of thought into how they could mix up the series’ formula, and they did a great job of putting players in new situations, but too often, I just found myself wishing for more of the old style of stages. Still, if you’ve already played the earlier games in the series and want more, you’ll have a good time with Once Upon a KATAMARI.
Once Upon a Katamari doesn’t stray from the game’s core formula and makes some concessions which smooths out some of the rougher edges of the gameplay. I might say having such a troublesome father might make me reconsider my loyalties, but how can you stay mad at that face! If you haven’t been on a roll in a while, this is a perfectly suitable entry to get back on the ball!
Once Upon a Katamari is the new high point of this bizarre ball rolling series, will expertly crafted stages and loads of silly objects to roll up.
Once Upon A KATAMARI remains as iconic, colorful, and fun as the rest of the franchise, once again using its signature formula to create an entertaining and unique puzzle game. While the title does not do anything different or reinventive for the franchise, it does not necessarily need to, providing another delightful helping of the series for fans and new players alike. PC players will be pleased to have another KATAMARI title on the platform, though they are better off avoiding the awkward keyboard controls and using a dedicated controller.
Once Upon a Katamari is neither as revolutionary as its grandfather, Katamari Damacy, nor so small that it merely follows in the footsteps of its predecessors. It stands in the space between nostalgia and rebirth
Review in Persian | Read full review
Once Upon A Katamari is at a standard we have come to expect from the series. The fun, engaging levels and the replayable formula offer hours of fun for those chasing high scores. With a cousin to collect on every level and customisation items to unlock, you are guaranteed to find something new when you replay. The only downside is that the pacing can disrupt the flow of the gameplay, as the King of All Cosmos interrupts it too often with his monologues before and after every level. Once Upon a Katamari is available now for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Once Upon a Katamari feels like it is as strong of an entry as a game like We Love Katamari, and it captures the essence of the series.
It wasn't easy, however, to overcome the barriers that existed between one department and another. He managed to do so only through perseverance and love for his idea.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Once Upon a Katamari rolls straight into the hole in my heart, joyfully embracing everything that makes the series timeless—its quirky humor, absurd charm, and the endlessly satisfying simplicity of rolling through new worlds.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Once Upon a Katamari brings back the classic formula of the series with a fairytale twist. The King of the Universe is once again causing chaos, and it's up to the Prince to round up everything and restore order. The game combines the recognizable absurdity and humor with new worlds, assignments and the option to unlock and customize cousins. The two control options make it accessible for newcomers and challenging for veterans. Graphically it is not a highlight, but the charm, music and atmosphere more than make up for that. It remains a wonderfully strange game that proves that simplicity and craziness can go together perfectly.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Once Upon a Katamari is a good addition to the series, opting for an entertaining theme of traveling between different points in time. The tried-and-true gameplay is as smooth as ever, and the new customization options allow for a more personal experience to roll through. That said, the game unfortunately gets held back by a constant string of tutorials and telling the player where to go instead of allowing them to explore on their own terms.
Once Upon a Katamari is the best kind of sequel. It honors the past while confidently moving into the future. It is funny, heartfelt, creative, and full of personality. The soundtrack shines, the gameplay flows better than ever, and the new features give it fresh life. Whether you are a longtime fan or a newcomer who has never rolled a katamari before, this is the perfect place to jump in.
Once Upon A KATAMARI may have taken a while to arrive, but it made up for the fans' wait with a great title. It maintained the good things that the remakes of the first two titles brought to current generations and enhanced them with excellent narrative elements and a charming soundtrack. The King of All Cosmos may have tried to interfere, in more than one way, but the Prince managed to deliver his katamari in the way we all expected.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Once Upon A KATAMARI brings the series back with smoother controls, clever power-ups, and time-travel stages that feel fresh without straying too far. The bright visuals, catchy soundtrack, and chaotic energy all stay true to Katamari’s charm. It’s a joyful return that reminds you why rolling everything in sight never gets old.
With its offbeat story and ridiculous themed stages, Once Upon A Katamari is a playful, easy recommendation for veterans and first-time rollers alike.
Even though “Once Upon A Katamari” feels a bit too focused on collecting everything and filling the gaps with a lackluster multiplayer mode, it still is Katamari at its core. Its packed with good gags and its gameplay is just as good as it was over 20 years ago.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
I’m very glad Once Upon A Katamari exists, and while I have enjoyed playing it on basically every platform over the last week as a break from other games, I really wish a little more care had been put into the progression
Once Upon a Katamari is exactly what fans hoped for: a surreal, colorful, and delightfully weird return that stays true to its roots while adding just enough freshness. With new challenges, light power-ups, a freer structure, and an unforgettable soundtrack, it entertains without losing its essence. Not a revolution, but a joyful celebration of everything that makes Katamari unique—sometimes, all you need is to roll through chaos with a smile.
Review in Italian | Read full review