Katamari Damacy (future rare title?)

[FantasiaWHT]

OPM reviewed it (4.5/5) and the entire review was just.

In this game you roll over:

[they proceed to list about 200 objects]

Yep that's all!

They didn't even give it any pros or cons, they were just like "BUY THIS GAME NOW"

[Jasoco]

OPM reviewed it (4.5/5) and the entire review was just.

In this game you roll over:

[they proceed to list about 200 objects]

Yep that's all!

They didn't even give it any pros or cons, they were just like "BUY THIS GAME NOW"I'd love to see the list. I assume it was in print. Could you type it all out for us? ;)

Which issue is that?

[Promophile]

Well actually there are alot more than 200 things to run over. The last level is the BEST LEVEL OF A VIDEO GAME EVER. You start really small, and end up picking up ISLANDS and CLOUDS.

[Jasoco]

I love the soundtrack. Is there any place to buy or download all the songs in this game? I love it! A soundtrack? All the music? I love this music. :D

[Avenger]

after you beat the game, go to earth and press O...then you can go to a screen with all the music and listen to it as much as you want...

and yes i agree the last level is the best...who else picked up the thunder god sitting in the clouds? :D

i love the credits too...how many countries did you get?

i got 180/195

[DigitalSpace]

For those of you having trouble finding a copy locally, It's available on Gamestop.com:

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=281133

[Jasoco]

I want to nominate the intro to this game for Best Game Intro Ever.

The animation is like one of those weird Flash movies that usually makes its way across the internet. It is strange and comes out of nowhere.

I'm only up to Star 7. It's where I am stuck. I will try again tomorrow.

The game is full of Japanese humor. The descriptions for some of the items are just perfect.
I like the description for a roll of film; "Opening it to see the photos seems to ruin it..."
Cassette Tape; "Seems to hold sound. No sound once the black thing is cut."
Pear; "The Japanese name is 'nashi,' which also means 'to not exist.' But apparently it's right there!"
Door; "When it's closed, you have to climb in the window. What a pain."
LOL

Anyone notice the "Video Game" looks sort of like an NES style Famicom with memory card slots? The controllers are a dead giveaway.

[Dahne]

I'd like to nominate the ending sequence (not even including the credits; just the bit of psychedelia and "thank you") as the best ending ever.

[Avenger]

i love the intro also...and yea star 7 was the only level i didnt complete the first time around...its pretty tricky

[kainemaxwell]

Finally got it and loving it! it's so quirky and fun, also digging the soundtrack too!

[fahrvergnugen]

That has to be the most annoying buzzer sound ever put in a video game ever. It really ruins the last 30 seconds of every level for me.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

I love that the best complaint that we can come up with for this game is that the buzzer sound is slightly annoying.

[AB Positive]

Star seven is a pain, there's a certain path you should follow where things get progressively bigger for you to roll over in order to make it. Even when I passed it was just barely.

I think I'm on the last Make a Star, will play tonight, can't wait!

-AG

[qbertandernie]

....goes to search for the 'thunder god'...

[Kroogah]

....goes to search for the 'thunder god'...

You gotta be pretty damn big to get the Thunder God. We're talking like 450-500m here.

Chicago Tribune printed a review today, giving it 4 stars and making many points that have been made in this thread.

This is a game for everyone that complains about new video games being too complex.

[sisko]

Has anybody gotten all 195 countries yet? I can't seem to get past 180 :/

Does anything special happen?

[davidbrit2]

Has anybody gotten all 195 countries yet? I can't seem to get past 180 :/

Does anything special happen?

I hear there's another short cut-scene if you get a significantly high percentage.

And how do you replay the credits sequence? I wasn't having any luck finding it.

[sisko]

Has anybody gotten all 195 countries yet? I can't seem to get past 180 :/

Does anything special happen?

I hear there's another short cut-scene if you get a significantly high percentage.

And how do you replay the credits sequence? I wasn't having any luck finding it.

I'm not sure if you have to beat the moon AND the constellations or just the moon, but however it gets unlocked, its a purple arrow that says "ending" on earth.

[Jasoco]

Yeah, I found the path in Star 7 to get past it. Now I am on Star 9. Didn't make it my first time, but I will keep at it.

What is the "Photo Album"? And why is it inactive?

You know, Ursa Major and Taurus are very frustrating. I keep ending up picking up the smallest cow or bear. Usually on accident because I can't tell what the thing is. Or I get knocked into it. :o

[Cmosfm]

I love the soundtrack. Is there any place to buy or download all the songs in this game? I love it! A soundtrack? All the music? I love this music. :D

Did I hear "Download The Soundtrack?"

Already posted earlier in this thread by me, but here it is again...

http://forums.filenotfound.org/KATAMARIDAMACY/

For more details on it, skim back a few pages...too lazy to type it all out again. Enjoy

[sisko]

What is the "Photo Album"? And why is it inactive?


You need to find the camera, which is a royal present.

[dethink]

dang, between this, super monkey ball + and GT4, i might have to pick a PSTwo up with the $150 im getting from my xbox, instead of buying MVS carts...

just when i thought i could lose all interest in the current gen...those, plus viewtiful joe, gradius V, mega man/SF anniversary...ARGH! :angry: :D

anyone who says casual gaming has taken over hasn't been playing every good title since the DC came out...it's been overload ever since. there's absolutely NO WAY i could ever play every good one in it's entirety.

[Jasoco]

Did I hear "Download The Soundtrack?"

Already posted earlier in this thread by me, but here it is again...

http://forums.filenotfound.org/KATAMARIDAMACY/

For more details on it, skim back a few pages...too lazy to type it all out again. EnjoyMust have missed it somehow.. You rock. :D

Still stuck on Star 9. Guess I gotta find the trick.

[qbertandernie]

where are the number of countries listed?

[Jasoco]

Woo.. Finally. Last time I got to 27 Meters. This time I beat it with time to spare and got it to 54 Meters! Picking up the Oil Refinery and all the buildings and boats on and around the islands. Kick ass. I love this game!

[devils advocate]

Just wanted to thank everybody for their reviews of this game. I bought it on these recommendations.........


In my top five of this year!!!

[calthaer]

OK, my personal favorite moment so far with this game is when you are on - I don't know...maybe it's Star 6 or 7 - when you go into that schoolyard with all the kids in it and you pick them up and they're like "What's going on?"

AND THEN - you pick up the principal, and he screams out "DETENTION! DETENTION FOR YOU!" hahaha so great!

Each level really is worth playing over and over. The only one I've really been annoyed with so far is the bear one, because it gets pretty difficult to avoid the small bears.

NOTE - that soundtrack download...the intro song isn't exactly the same as the intro on my game, weird. They say "Katamari Damashi" a lot more, where in my game they say "na na na" instead.

[FantasiaWHT]

Yeah has anybody been at ALL successful in getting a larger bear?

[kainemaxwell]

Sweet, likely dl the ost in a few days off DC++ myself.

[DigitalSpace]

Well, I picked this up at Gamestop tonight. Gonna try it out later. :)

[classicb]

Each level really is worth playing over and over. The only one I've really been annoyed with so far is the bear one, because it gets pretty difficult to avoid the small bears.


no kidding. I guess its nice that at least some levels are hard

side note: #1 reason to get a PS2

[Cmosfm]

Yeah has anybody been at ALL successful in getting a larger bear?

Nope, tried again tonight, ran into a BEAR SIGN! A SIGN!

:bawling:

And I'm having NO luck getting Eternal, I've tried all 3 stages again twice each tonight. *sigh* Still having mad fun doing it though@

[Kamino]

I took a gander at this game, quite frankly it looks kind of hokey.
Anyone want to clarify the damn pronounciation?
I don't know about this one. I've got roughly 50 other ps2/xb/cube/gba games, at least to buy, not counting new releases such as the upcoming GTAs.

[FlufflePuff]

Well, to clarify the pronunciation would be difficult, as there is no "cy" sound in Japanese. The closest would either be ki (pronunched key), chi, or shi. So it would be Ka Ta Ma Ri Da Ma (Ki, Chi, or Shi). I know Gamestop has the game labelled as Shi, but I don't think that's necessarily official. Anyway, you should definately pick this up. It will probably be a harder to find title in less than a month or two, unless they reprint it. It's $20 bucks and it's really fun. More fun that I had playing any of the other recent PS2 games I've purchased when they first came out. (THUG and GTA: Vice City if you were curious).

[qbertandernie]

how do you find out about how many countries?...

still cant find it?...

[zmweasel]

Well, to clarify the pronunciation would be difficult, as there is no "cy" sound in Japanese. The closest would either be ki (pronunched key), chi, or shi. So it would be Ka Ta Ma Ri Da Ma (Ki, Chi, or Shi). I know Gamestop has the game labelled as Shi, but I don't think that's necessarily official. Anyway, you should definately pick this up. It will probably be a harder to find title in less than a month or two, unless they reprint it. It's $20 bucks and it's really fun. More fun that I had playing any of the other recent PS2 games I've purchased when they first came out. (THUG and GTA: Vice City if you were curious).

On my copy of Katamari Damacy, the sticker on the top of the DVD slipcase said "Katamari Damashi," so the folks at Sony Disc Manufacturing and Namco obviously struggled with the pronunciation as well.

That OPM "review" was awful, by the way. I'll take meaningful gameplay description and criticism over a meaningless list of items, thanks.

-- Z.

[Dahne]

Japanese is such a nice language. Every vowel is always pronounced the same way, none of this crazy stuff with different pronunciations depending on what letter it's next to like in English.

Cat uh marr ee dah ma shee. Which syllable to stress is up to you, since Japanese has much more of an even intonation.

As for "-Cy"; the original title was "Katamari Damashii"(the doubled vowel just means you hold it a bit longer). I'm not sure why it was changed for the American release.

[Jasoco]

Anyone know when the best time to stop on North Star is? The first time I got 8M, second 7M. Then I kept going and he yelled at me, so this time I stopped and it was on 13 meters and he said it was "Puny"? Shouldn't that be "Too big"? I don't get when I should stop.

What happens after the Moon? After I create the Moon, is there more?

This really is the only reason to get a PS2. And now that I know the DS' launch lineup, I know I can spend my money on a PSTwo instead and wait on the DS. Plus, it'll leave me a few Greatest Hits to pick up.

[Avenger]

for the north star i got 9.9 on the firdt time so i didnt bother again :D

[Jasoco]

for the north star i got 9.9 on the firdt time so i didnt bother again :DWhat were you picking up at that time?

Here I am on the Moon level and I am up to 157 Meters and I get STUCK! I mean STUCK. Ball rolling slowly, stuck in a bridge, last minute, could have used that minute. And it's STUCK. Not the "Good" kind of stuck where items fall off, but a bug stuck. Dammit. 25 minutes isn't long enough.

[kainemaxwell]

Are games supposed to be this addicting? LOL

[dreams]

Anyone know when the best time to stop on North Star is? The first time I got 8M, second 7M. Then I kept going and he yelled at me, so this time I stopped and it was on 13 meters and he said it was "Puny"? Shouldn't that be "Too big"? I don't get when I should stop.

For the north star, you are trying to get it to be exactly 10m in size. You should stop when you think it's that size. The KoaC shows you the approximate size of a 10m katamari before you begin, if you don't press start to skip the intro.


As for "-Cy"; the original title was "Katamari Damashii"(the doubled vowel just means you hold it a bit longer). I'm not sure why it was changed for the American release.

Actually, I think it was Katamari Damacy in Japan as well, considering the official site is http://katamaridamacy.jp/ . And bonus, there's an english version - http://katamaridamacy.jp/contents_e.html

[digtempest]

Where did you guys get your copy? My local rip-off game stop and eb didn't have it. Best Buy doesn't list it on their website. And humans at C. City never heard of it.

[kainemaxwell]

Check the Eb and Gamestop websites and Gamestop's store indictor.

Anyone think KD has potential for game of the year, or least a strong condender?

[MoreEbolaForYou]

man, i do not understand people not beating levels on this. make a moon is one of the easiest levels there is, 25 minutes is plenty of time. you just have to have a good strategy, and it's simple.

[FlufflePuff]

Circuit City, despite having some of the best sales on games around, rarely gets the "rare" or "obscure" titles. For example, they didn't get Katamari Damacy, they didn't get La Pucelle Tactics, they didn't get Phantom Brave, and to the best of my knowledge they didn't get any of the Disgaea rerelease runs. All of those games, despite receiving great reviews, didn't come in because they are for a niche audience OR they failed to print enough to warrant a small shipment to C City. I was surprised they got Tales of Symphonia on the first day, but that was definately the exception to the rule.

[K3V]

I've got a copy on the way from gamefly.com. Can't wait to try this one, been hearing lots of good things about it.

[kainemaxwell]

Up to Star 4 now, screwed tha tone up. Gotta practice more. Making Cancer was fun and the little story scenes with the family are funny!

[calthaer]

Yeah has anybody been at ALL successful in getting a larger bear?

Nope, tried again tonight, ran into a BEAR SIGN! A SIGN!

:bawling:

And I'm having NO luck getting Eternal, I've tried all 3 stages again twice each tonight. *sigh* Still having mad fun doing it though@

Yeah - the bear sign is annoying. It's annoying! And the cow stage - I'm rolling along, avoiding the cows, and then there's a Cow Pylon. Then I try again, and it's a Cow Vending Machine. WTF? I mean...on the one hand, I can understand it, because the game is sort of short and if they made it really easy then there'd be no challenge, but the Cow Vending Machine garbage was just sort of nonsensical. You couldn't even see the cow markings on the front of the thing because it had the window.

I've been working on Eternal myself.

[Promophile]

Yeah has anybody been at ALL successful in getting a larger bear?

Nope, tried again tonight, ran into a BEAR SIGN! A SIGN!

:bawling:

And I'm having NO luck getting Eternal, I've tried all 3 stages again twice each tonight. *sigh* Still having mad fun doing it though@

I got the first Eternal after like 3 tries, I kept getting stuck around 1m 22-25. FINNALY got it to 1m 30cm just before the time ended.

Eternal stages are ok, but it seems like anything you pickup in an eternal stage doesn't count towards your collection. Is that true?

[zmweasel]

Eternal stages are ok, but it seems like anything you pickup in an eternal stage doesn't count towards your collection. Is that true?

True. Eternal-mode item collection doesn't count, and I wouldn't have expected otherwise.

-- Z.

[Avenger]

for those of you who can't find a copy still...try going to Toys R' Us...mine had a surprising amount of copies...hell no one buys games there....especially peiople who want Katamari

[zmweasel]

Anyone think KD has potential for game of the year, or least a strong condender?

KD won't get GotY from any major magazine or website, although the soundtrack might--and really, really should--take the prize from any magazine and/or website that gives out a music award.

The only awards that have any relevance in the game industry are the peer-group Game Developers Choice Awards, and KD might do well there; Ico received a GotY nom in 2002, so the IGDA is aware of the Japanese industry. Then again, KD is so deceptively simple that game developers might scoff at recognizing it for excellence in game design or level design.

(The people who complain about the "poor" graphics, like the token female reviewer in Game Informer, are seeing a completely different game than I am, and failing to mention the obvious programming- and design-related reasons for the simplistic 3D visuals: KD runs at a nearly unbreakable 60 fps, and virtually everything you see can be rolled up into the katamari.)

-- Z.

[kainemaxwell]

What's some of the largest Katamari you've created so far?

[davidbrit2]

What's some of the largest Katamari you've created so far?

Nearly 870 m on Create the Moon, I think.

[FantasiaWHT]

KD might win some sort of "sleeper hit" award if any of the mags officially do one.

[Jasoco]

What's some of the largest Katamari you've created so far?

Nearly 870 m on Create the Moon, I think.I still can't get past 280 Meters. I got to 280 or so and ran out of time!

What's Eternal Mode?

As for that damn North Star. I need a trick. When to freaking stop. The little graph doesn't help when he shows me it, If I stop at that size, it's too small. Guess I'll keep practicing.

[digtempest]

I found a copy a Best Buy. I guess their website is wrong.

[kainemaxwell]

I *think* I opened up Eternal 1, but not sure.

Here's my stars so far:
Star 1: 14cm7mm
Star 2: 33cm5mm
Star 3: 72cm1mm
Cancer: 74

[dreams]

I *think* I opened up Eternal 1, but not sure.

Here's my stars so far:
Star 1: 14cm7mm
Star 2: 33cm5mm
Star 3: 72cm1mm
Cancer: 74

You would know if you opened up eternal, because a little bubble would appear over Star 3 that says Eternal 1.

I believe that you have to complete the game before you can unlock eternals though, but I'm not totally certain.

[kainemaxwell]

Anyone get shooting stars yet?

[classicb]

Eternal Info:

Eternal 1 = Ball bigger than 1m30cm on Star 4
Eternal 2 = Ball bigger than 25m on Star 8
Eternal 3 = Ball bigger than 800m on Moon level

You get comets based on finishing levels within a certain time limit

Also if you beat the game and make stardust of your moon you get another message from the little boy.

The game is easy but their is a good deal of stuff to go back through for if you're into unlocking everything.

[kainemaxwell]

Anyone got advice for Star 4 and where's the present in Star 3's area?

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

Y'know, based on the rave reviews of numerous people in this thread whose opinions I trust implicity, I'm gonna go pick this game up - just in case I happen upon a PS2 one of these days.

[AB Positive]

I finally got the first two eternals... that second one was rough... damn near had to pick up everything! I fear the third one...


-AG

[Kat604]

Based on the glowing reviews here, I snatched the last copy of this game from the local gamestop. Popped it in and somehow two hours of my life have gone by in a flash lol. Hooray for pure unadulterated Japanese weirdnes! As well as a theme song which will be stuck in my head for all time.

[Jasoco]

I really hope there's a sequel. I could go for more. A preview from a website from March or so when the game was still Japanese said one was in the works. I wonder if it's true, and hope they have the same brains to bring it over here as well.

[classicb]

I really hope there's a sequel. I could go for more. A preview from a website from March or so when the game was still Japanese said one was in the works. I wonder if it's true, and hope they have the same brains to bring it over here as well.

I'm pretty sure its true given its continued success in the US. Here is a blurb I grabbed from a Gamespot article


The sequel to Katamari Damacy is scheduled for release within the year. "We can grow it into a brand if we make it into a series," commented Namco president Kyushiro Takagi to Nikkei MJ, expressing his anticipation about the future of the game.

source: http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/katamaridamacy2/news_6099768.html

a brand @_@ how cool would that be. move over GTA3 hello KD2

[kainemaxwell]

If that does happen lets hope Namco doesn't turn it into a huge cash cow and milk it to death.

[classicb]

If that does happen lets hope Namco doesn't turn it into a huge cash cow and milk it to death.

I used GTA3 jokingly I doubt it will ever become a cash cow.

[Jasoco]

That's the articcle I got my news from. Look at the date. June. Before the game came out in the States. At that time, they didn't know it would be so big. Let's hope the sequel's as great as the first.

Anyway..

I just beat the Moon! Awesome!!! The credits song is the best. And the whole rolling up countries thing kicks ass. I was on such a roll (No pun intended.) back there. I actually looked at my Katamari at 150 Meters at about 11 minutes left and said, "Why continue? I won't make it." Before I knew it, I was rolling up buildings and skyscrapers and islands, giant octopi, bridges, clouds, rain clouds, mushrooms, tornadoes, airplanes, whirlpools, boats and ships, rainbows...

I looked at this silly little island towards the end and said.. "Wait.. that's familiar." It was the place I started at! With the Volcano. I was like "Holy Cow!" and was gone in a second. Stuck to the Clump like all the rest of the world. I wanted to go further. I got it to 756 Meters. I should try again and try for 800. But for now I'll rest.

I got 150 countries.

[calthaer]

I've obtained a shooting star - can't remember which one I got that one on. You obtain them by completing the objective within a certain time frame - one that is lower than the time frame given to you.

I'm going to go try to unlock an eternal...those numbers are helpful. I believe the trick to Star 4 is to sidle up to the roof and collect some of the statues and whatnot there.

[Jasoco]

I've got a few Shooters.

Hey, anyone know if it's possible to leave the area of the house in Eternal 1? If I try to roll over an outer fence (Especially from the roof, which was very difficult to get up onto.) it crashes and drops me back down. So it seems impossible I guess. Guess I'll have to get Eternal 2 to get out of the yard. :( I was hoping to start tiny and make it really huge too.

Edit:

180 Countries on my second try.

"Let's play again soon. Look, a rabbit!"

[FantasiaWHT]

How do you get up on the roof?

And has anybody gotten all the presents?

[Jasoco]

How do you get up on the roof?Very carefully. You must get as much in the house as possible (Be as big as the doorways and windows are.) Then wedge yourself up onto it. It's hart to explain and it's very difficult, but possible. Up there are golden statues or something. And a bird flying overhead. (Can't reach it sadly.)

I had hoped once I got up there it would open a way to get out into the city, but apparently it's designed just so you can't get past the outer barriers of the property. Damn. Guess that's why they put Eternal 2 and 3 in there. They SHOULD have had one big Sandbox mode where you start ting with thumbtacks and mice attacking you and are ABLE to get out and eventually carry the whole world on your Katamari. THAT would be worth the replay right there. Maybe KD2 will do this.

Here's hoping the sequel has more levels and bigger worlds. Who needs realistic graphics with an art style like this and a sheer amount of active objects at once? I mean seriously. I hope KD2 pushes the PS2 to the limits of how many objects can be rendered at once.

After work I'm gonna have to try for 800 on the Moon and unlock Eternal 3. I really want to see how far I can go.

When I first heard what you do in this game, I expected each size group was a separate level and there would be a pause while the next level is substituted in. Imagine my surprise when I found out it was completely continuous and that the house you are in really is the house you will eventually pick up and the ground you roll on will eventually be part of your clump. Namco is Genius. They took the simplicity of Pac-Man's control scheme and applied it to a game that is so addictive it just HAS to be played. I really wish there was a shirt or some merchandise available so I can get the word out. I'd love a shirt with the website on it. Or name so people have to ask.

I'll tell ya one thing, I still hate the controller, and this game is so addictive it's giving me blisters on me fingers. But they're blisters of love. :D