Katamari Forever

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.

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]

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

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.

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

It's absolutely great for fans.

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.

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

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

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]

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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]

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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]

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.

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'.

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.

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

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

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.

"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.

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.