Once Upon a Katamari Reviews
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
Once Upon A KATAMARI's general strengths make up for small problems like sometimes wonky camera angles or short sections that repeat themselves. The music is lovely, the graphics are bright and fun, and the gameplay is easy enough for newcomers to understand but complex enough to test longtime fans. Even after many years, One Thousand and One Nights illustrates that the series can still be fun, interesting, and inspire innovation.
“Once Upon A Katamari” has a familiar gameplay loop that will be either a positive or a negative, depending on how you feel towards the franchise. New additions to the formula, including boosts, customisation, music, and multiplayer, add something refreshing to the package. With difficulty feeling a bit harder, it does impact the cozy, relaxing feeling I had come to expect from the franchise. Although it’s not so hard that it becomes a deal breaker, it is something that needs to be considered when you sit down to play. Overall, “Once Upon A Katamari” rolls above its weight and is a fun game. Whether you are new or old to the franchise, you will have a ball of a time.
Once Upon a Katamari is a gem. A bright star in the sky. A pickle atop a hamburger, begging for your teeth to unleash its crisp crunch and spread its flavour as your tongue screams in delight. It’s a poem written and performed by a madman, which might be beautiful to some and terrifying to others. And for all the weirdos out there, it’s a journey you won’t soon forget. It’s time to start rolling once again. The King demands it!
"Once Upon a Katamari" is a journey through time, both literally and figuratively. The first new mainline game since 2011 plays almost identically to the series debut in 2004. Sure, the graphics are a little fancier and the gameplay has been fine-tuned a bit, but beyond that, there are no big surprises. For fans of the series, this is a blessing. For newcomers, it could be a problem. Those rolling through the world of Katamari for the first time may be put off by the steep learning curve and tight time limits. The game doesn't make it easy for rookies to discover the charm that lies beneath the often frustrating surface. But those who take the time and give “Once Upon a Katamari” a chance will be rewarded with one of the most fun and unusual gaming experiences ever. “Katamari” has never been perfect. And that's kind of the point.
Review in German | Read full review
Once Upon a Katamari offers a lighthearted and enjoyable experience that faithfully revives the cheerful and simple spirit of the classic series. The core idea of collecting objects and growing your ball remains as charming as ever, delivering a pleasant sense of satisfaction, while the smooth performance makes the gameplay comfortable and easy. However, the lack of innovation and the overly childlike tone may make it less appealing to everyone.
Review in Arabic | Read full review