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Katamari Forever

EMAILPRINTps3

Katamari Forever
74
9.3 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 51 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 14 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info

Publisher: Namco Bandai Games

Developer: Namco Bandai Games

Genre(s): Action

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: September 22, 2009

Summary

Use the Prince's katamari to roll up everyday objects in each level. The more objects that the Prince rolls up, the larger his katamari becomes, allowing him to roll up bigger items. The Prince faces his toughest challenge ever as Katamari Forever boasts the largest collection of stages, modes, songs, and cousins to date. Remixed classic Katamari Damacy tunes, a brand-new storyline, multiple new visual effects and 1080p graphics round out Katamari Forever into the ultimate Katamari experience ever. A terrible event has occurred causing the stars to disappear from the night sky and the King of All Cosmos to fall into a coma. The Prince must use his finely tuned Katamari rolling skills once more to re-create the absent celestial bodies, save his royal father and restore order to the Cosmos. Thumb tacks, sushi, cats, people, skyscrapers, ocean liners and continents - nothing is safe as the Prince makes his way through the largest variety of stages in a single Katamari game ever. New graphical styles give Katamari Forever a certain "je ne sais quoi" that all new Katamari games possess. A few of the new styles include Wood, which uses warm sepia tones to give stages a wooden feel, while Comic creates thick black outlines on every object while filling them in with deep, rich colors. Make sure to try them all out and find your favorite for a totally new way to experience the world of Katamari. In addition to all these great new features, Katamari Forever also contains local cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes. Choose your favorite cousin and play together or compete in heated Katamari competition. Who will become the Katamari champion in your house? [Namco Bandai Games]

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

90

PS3bloggen.se

It's impossible not to love Katamari completely, despite the fact that the concept, camera and controls hardly have evolved at all.

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88

Gaming Target

Katamari Forever is the penultimate game in the series thus far; a collection of the best levels combined in a modest port of Beautiful Katamari along with the introduction of yet another awesome new character makes for a game that rekindles the love for rolling.

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88

Play UK

There are stacks of stages, plus loads to unlock too - perfect for those looking for something different to fill their gaming lulls. [Issue#184, p.80]

85

Worth Playing

Having previously tried and enjoyed Katamari in earlier incarnations, you'll probably be more than satisfied with this PS3 version.

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85

Gamer Limit

While Katamari Forever is a fun, quirky and interesting experience, it suffers from a number of issues which really disrupt the flow of the game.

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84

Cheat Code Central

It's absolutely great for fans.

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84

PSX Extreme

It’s not quite as technically sound as it could’ve been in my eyes, but it’s still awesome.

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80

Destructoid

If you are that rare somebody who has always been interested in Katamari but never made the plunge, this is a strong recommendation.

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80

Eurogamer Spain

Katamari Forever is more a homage to the franchise than a new entry. It might to be enough for the fans, but it's great for people who enter this surreal world for the first time.

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80

Playstation Official Magazine UK

Playable like a digitally remastered greatest hits album. [Nov 2009, p.120]

80

Playstation Official Magazine Australia

Although many stages are re-hashed from other games in the series, there’s enough here to tempt veterans back for more. Newcomers should not hesitate to jump in. [Nov 2009, p.71]

80

Giant Bomb

Katamari Forever also has online leaderboards and a local two-player option, but the game's at its best when you're just sort of rolling around, semi-aimlessly, grabbing anything and everything in your path.

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80

Kombo

Katamari fans who have not played every game in the series will most likely get more out of Katamari Forever due to the recycled content, but it's solid entry in a quirky franchise regardless of your past Prince experience.

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80

Thunderbolt

Katamari Forever has some of the best gameplay you’ll ever find in the series. So if you’ve never played any of the other games, give this a go. Katamari is on the roll again.

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80

Extreme Gamer

Katamari Forever is a collection of everything that is great about the Katamari series since its conception.

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80

Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

Somehow it's just as captivating today as it ever has been. [Dec 2009, p.76]

80

Games Master UK

A lack of new content will disappoint old fans. [Dec 2009, p.87]

80

Armchair Empire

Big, bright, colorful, and a tidal wave quirkiness rolled into a ball, Katamari Forever can be a lot of fun if you just let yourself enjoy it.

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78

Digital Chumps

Katamari Forever doesn't try too many new things with this first PS3 version, but the old formula still works well. That said, I'd recommend this to newcomers and series veterans alike.

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77

PSM3 Magazine UK

For a full-price title there's lots of reused material here, but the bottom line is this is the definitive Katamari on PlayStation. [Nov 2009, p.85]

77

PSFocus

Katamari Forever has original gameplay, but with this new game the gameplay is identical to the first one. A good game, but without any new gameplay possibilities.

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76

SpazioGames

Katamari Forever is a tribute to fans of the series. In addition to two small improvements in terms of gameplay, the game does not reserve surprises: it's Katamari, in all its madness and charm. Unfortunately, all those who find themselves allergic to the series, will hardly find a reason to change their minds.

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75

PALGN

While Katamari Forever has enough variety to stay interesting for series veterans, and it's definitely worth checking out for Katamari virgins, the series is starting to get a little stale.

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75

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Forever takes a tiny half-step forward, but has its other foot self-consciously planted in the past.

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75

Play Magazine

This Katamari is forever. Still good, but stuck in its ways. Rolling up the cosmos is fun, even if the King and Robo-King scold you often. The 2D rolling mini-game at the credits is almost worth the price of admission.

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75

Multiplayer.it

Katamari Forever looks like too much like its old gen previous titles, but it's always very fun to play. New character, new planets and new challenges make Katamari a long lasting game, but we have to say that the lack of a multiplayer mode is such a shame.

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75

1UP

If you're new to the quirky, rolling action, Katamari Forever is the best game in the series yet. Even long-time fans, who've already played through all these stages, should enjoy the chance to relive their favorite levels in a beautiful high-def setting. But Namco has yet to fix the niggling camera and control problems, keeping this game from being quite as good as it could be.

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75

TotalPlayStation

It's not entirely new, no, but Katamari Forever manages, if nothing else, to be the most packed of the games.

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73

9Lives

The unusual Japanese setting and surreal atmosphere will surprise some people, even pushing them away. Rest assured though, the game can give you hours of fun. The replayability is rather low, seeing how the multiplayer is only for offline use only, which is a pity. We can’t call this game a hit, but the original setting and rather addictive gameplay earns it a well-deserved score of 73.

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73

Game Informer

Katamari Forever serves as a fine introduction to the concept for those who have yet to push the ball, but former Katamari addicts may find they’ve rolled down this road before.

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71

GamingXP

Katamari Forever is not really a bad game. But there are so many little mistakes and frustrating moments in it that it is not more than a nice idea.

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70

Eurogamer Portugal

If this concept on one hand shows clearly signs of some revision, especially for fans of the series, it remains an experience that serves as a fair tribute to the early work of Keita Takahashi.

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70

Edge Magazine

The amount of material here, familiar though some of it is, and the consummate presentation means that this is the most exhaustive Katamari to date, if not the finest. [Nov 2009, p.97]

70

InsideGamer.nl

Katamari Forever contains a creative variation of missions in different graphical styles, but brings not a lot of real changes to the game. If you have a Katamari game, you should probably not get Katamari Forever. If you are a Katamari fan or if you never played Katamari, this is the time to get it. But be aware, just a small group of gamers will appreciate this game.

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70

IGN

The bottom line is that Katamari Forever is fun, but we've seen it before.

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70

Eurogamer

Its value for money is significant: there is a lot of bulk here, much of it excellent. But its wider value to gaming, to Takahashi's message and to the series it celebrates, is diminished. Like a balloon deflating, Katamari Forever feels like the series' final exhale, all puff and energy now gone from the idea. Metaphor!

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70

GameSpot

Rolling a katamari is as charming as ever, but you may have rolled most of these katamaris before.

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70

GamePro

While Forever is still a fine offering that die-hard fans will certainly enjoy, the lack of new content really put a dent in the game's overall enjoyment value for me.

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70

Vandal Online

Katamari Forever is a more than decent installment for PlayStation 3 users, which will take the prince to new challenges. Unfortunately the game hasn't got any new elements in comparison with the previous ones, and it doesn't allow online play, a feature which Beautiful Katamari had, and was really addictive.

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70

Everyeye.it

A tribute to the Katahashi series, with minor twists in the main formula.

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70

Play.tm

While it remains very much an acquired taste, Forever is ideal for newcomers to the series, but perhaps a roll too far for Katamari veterans. As fun now as ever, we still think that only truly dedicated rollers or Katamari newbies need apply.

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70

GameZone

There are a few new features but it doesn’t make for a new experience for returning fans.

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70

Gamer.nl

Katamari Forever can be best described as a 'best of'-collection, combining everything that make people love the series. The concept of the game still makes it worth playing and the visual style remains special. The game would have gained a lot from new elements and improved controlling-options, though.

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69

XGN

Katamari Forever has become a decent game. This is definitely a game for you if you like Japanese games with some weird features. But unfortunately there isn't any online multiplayer option and the singleplayer won't entertain you for long. So therefore you won't play this game 'forever'.

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67

Gaming Age

I imagine there will be a group that will love the game regardless, but this one didn't do it for me. However, the game has great visuals, a solid soundtrack, and controls just fine, so if you want to check it out, don't let my pessimism put you off, just keep in mind that it's not as new and fresh as I was hoping it would be.

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64

3DJuegos

Katamari Forever is like a greatest hits album for an experimental band. Just for fans or collectors.

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60

Teletext GameCentral

Another obnoxious sequel that seems to have forgotten that the whole point of the game was its originality.

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60

Strategy Informer

A mixture of classic and new levels is a perfect introduction for newcomers, but perhaps only the ardent roll ‘em up fan will truly love this Katamari.

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60

Eurogamer Italy

"Katamari Forever is a genuinely funny experience that could basically please everybody (and most of all the newcomers to this amazing series!), yet it's hard to hide a little disappointment: at the fifth chapter the formula still works and rolling around is surely a blast, but the saga desperately needs significant innovations to find its uniqueness once again.

Read Full Review >
50

Gameplayer Sweden

Katamari Forver is just as whimsically delightful as its predecessors but those who've followed the series for a long time will discover that the charm is starting to wear thin.

Read Full Review >
50

Boomtown

As a long-term fan of the series, as someone who expected the series to be taken forward to a new level and not to be presented with levels I’ve already completed with the same old technical issues, this installment left me totally cold.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 14 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Duke of Belsunce gave it an8:
first console Katamari I've played since the PS2 original, so I'm not bothered by the rehashing of levels other reviews have mentioned. if you're still somewhat new to the whole Katamari thing, or haven't played it to death, this is HIGHLY enjoyable. if you're a Katamari veteran who has rolled in some of these environments before, then I could see how you would be less psyched about FOREVER. The new, Valkyrie Chronicles-like graphic filter is cool. makes the game's visuals look better than they are. The Duke likes

Bob Hope gave it a10:
Yes it's more of the same but at 1080p and back on PS3 with control sticks logically next to each other, feels like returning home after a long trip abroad. Never fails to raise a smile

Jeff G. gave it a10:
Reviewing this game is tough, since the $50 price tag is steep for a refinement, but you have to approach this game for what it is - a refinement/love letter to fans, and it's a way for PS3 owners to enjoy Katamari in HD. To be honest, Katamari has all of the problems that it always had - behind-the-curve graphics (and some slowdown in this one), a weird camera, and sometimes a bit of awkward collision detection. Also, the "gate of entry" into the series is just as tough as ever - the controls are unconventional and the newbie will be smacked in the face with both super-cute Japanese visuals and very sophisticated Japanese pop music. The reviews so far have not mentioned how far the Namco crew have gone to make this a great title for fans of the game. First of all, many PS3 owners do not own a 360, expecting the great Japanese games to be on their system - Beautiful Katamari came and went without these fans caring, since it wasn't that great anyway. Here we have an entirely new soundtrack, full of creative arrangements of classic tunes and a few new ones as well. For example, hearing Kirinji cover a different song from We <3 Katamari and then hearing a newer artist (GUIRO, excellent musician!) cover the Kirinji tune is an awesome experience for fans of the series. Think of this as Katamari Snow Leopard or a good reiteration of Tetris. The jump and the heart pickups are great ways to amend big problems with the original design. Older stages are often populated with new stuff, almost making them "new" - almost. In the end, this really isn't a game for those new to Katamari - it's a game made completely for the fans, a fanfared return to Dual Shock controls, and an epic celebration of the series' history. Heck, pink hearts appear instead of the word "love" in a nod to the old game! If you've got the cash and loved the old Katamari games, pick this up. If you're frightened by cute stuff and Japan, and can't wait to get your copy of ODST, I wouldn't shell out the cash.

Asheq Moh'd gave it a9:
I've had a lot of fun with this game. It's not perfect but it's definitely a very good best of collection and for fans of the series there's a lot of material here. I'm sure the newcomers will enjoy this. Perhaps those not too fond of the previous games might not enjoy this but then again this isn't a title for them.

Cody J gave it an8:
It doesn't offer anything Katamari fans haven't seen before, but it's the most complete version of the game to date. Best for people new to the series, but the design is still fun if you don't mind the "best of" version of the game.

Luke B. gave it an8:
It's not perfect, but for those looking for more Katamari it does everything you'd hope it would. A mix of new and old levels provide a huge selection with a variety of modes for each level, there's a great range of music and the visuals are really nice to look at. Additions to gameplay are minimal, but fun nonetheless. Newcomers to the series will be thoroughly charmed by this comprehensive edition of Katamari. For those familiar with the series, if you are not actively excited about the idea of revisiting Katamari, knock this score down to a 7.

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