Graphics 8/10

A problem with the first Katamari game was the lack of levels. You mostly just rolled around the same three stages in different parts. We Love Katamari brings new, more clever levels to the table. Roll in the house, roll in the ocean, roll in new areas. The simple colors and textures of the game remain charming and yes, cute. The Katamari’s is still animated well, and the amount of detail after one rolling still is great. You will still see what you have rolled up even after stuff surrounds it. While not a realistic game by any means, We Love Katamari keeps its graphical quirks and remains great to look at.

Audio 8/10

Believe it or not, I really like the soundtrack. The first had some of the best music I’ve ever heard, mixing J-pop, crooner tunes, and more. We Love Katamari keeps the odd, but catchy music styles of the first, bringing new versions of a few classic songs and some new tunes as well. It would have been nice to include some more songs from the first game, but most of the new songs will entertain throughout. The King of All Cosmos still has his weird record-scratching speak, and the sound effect of the Katamari rolling things up is still fun. Sure, the music isn’t as good as the first, but it’s still great.

Gameplay 8/10

We Love Katamari proves that simplicity remains an excellent gaming formula. When the Prince returned the Earth’s stars, the people wanted more. So the King of All Cosmos, now a celebrity, sends the Prince to fill the rest of the solar system with stars. This time though, the Prince is not alone. His colorful and diversely-shaped cousins join him in the Katamari rolling. Although choosing different cousins has no effect on gameplay, players will find a favorite and stick with them throughout. Gameplay remains basically the same; control the Katamari with the two analog sticks to roll up as much as possible in the time limit. Along the way, you’ll find more things to roll up and cousins to capture and play as later. Also, with new cousins, the game offers up some new multiplayer modes. The battle mode is no longer a confined arena battle, but takes it to open levels. Now, the players must collect the most of a certain object to win. This idea is okay, but it make you miss the mode of who makes the largest Katamari. Also, there is a new co-op mode. Two players can work together to roll a single Katamari. This does involve cooperation and teamwork, so don’t think about being the boss and doing all the work, because you will have to work together. The single-player has been revamped to have more diverse challenges and environments, while also having some background on the King of All Cosmos. Many of these challenges are new to the sequel, such as feeding hungry children by rolling up some sweets or rolling up a head for a snowman. Sadly, the tedious and somewhat unrewarding present searching returns, where you look for presents in the levels only to find out they don’t do much. Also, there was a small lack of the traditional time missions, the core of the first. Yes, the new missions are unique and can be fun, but after a few in a row, you’ll long for just going against the clock. Fortunately, the formula remains mostly unchanged, still providing a fun gaming experience.

Replay Value 8/10

The story mode is still rather short, but the unforgettable style and simplicity of the game gives it lasting appeal. We Love Katamari, like the first, is perfect for a quick gaming fix, thanks to the simplicity and fast missions. Also, the new multiplayer modes allow you and a friend to play some more. The multiplayer could have been a bit better, preferably staying with the original mode of getting the largest Katamari, but the new mode and the new co-op keep the gameplay fun. The crazy story and odd humor remains a reason for more play time. You’ll want to play this game again just to see how big that Katamari can get.

Final Verdict 8/10

We Love Katamari. The title can pretty much do the review for me, but seriously, the game is a blast to play. While some of the changes in the game could have been executed a little better, the core of the game remains the same and only gives us more of the thrilling and addictive gameplay that the first gave us. Adding a better (but not perfect) multiplayer was only icing on the cake of We Love Katamari. We Love Katamari is every bit as good as the first, if not better. Sure, it’s bright, whimsical, and weird, but without that, it just wouldn’t be Katamari. Fun, clever, and addictive as ever, We Love Katamari should be definitely be worth a look.