Katamari Damacy
Summary
The King of All Cosmos unintentionally obliterated the stars and, after recovering, tasks the prince with reconstructing them. The challenge is that the prince is only slightly over half a foot tall, making the task of rebuilding the stars quite a feat. To help, the prince uses the Katamari, a ball he can roll through the world, gathering objects that increase its size until it's large enough to satisfy the King. Set in stylized versions of Japanese homes, cities, and landscapes, the prince rolls the Katamari around, collecting items that stick to it. Initially, only small objects can be picked up, but as the Katamari grows, it can collect larger and more substantial items. Starting with push pins and paper clips, the Katamari gradually accumulates enough mass to roll over obstacles and gather bigger objects. Through successive levels, it can eventually collect people, vehicles, and more. Players control the Katamari from a third-person view using the PS2's analog sticks. A tutorial level introduces the controls, explains the story, and also sets up a subplot involving a Japanese girl who can sense the cosmos. The King challenges the prince by setting size goals for the Katamari and imposing time limits on each level. Additional missions focus on restoring constellations and come with their own unique constraints. The world of Katamari Damacy is brought to life with quirky animation and an upbeat soundtrack. Hidden within the levels are presents that contain stylish accessories for the prince. The game also supports two-player competitive mode, where players can race to roll the biggest Katamari.
Storyline
The game opens with a dramatic scene in which the King obliterates every star and the Moon. The following day, the King discusses the previous night's events with the Prince, describing how he felt united with the Cosmos and how the destruction of the stars was a beautiful, harmonious act. In the Japanese version, the King directly confesses he was drunk during the incident, while the English version suggests it more subtly. He then gives the Prince a mission: to restore the stars by rolling objects into the Katamari, ideally before anyone becomes aware of the missing celestial bodies.
