Written By: Miles Watts, Staff Writer
LOVE: The passion behind this art project of a video game is clear to see from the design of it to the personal impact it can have on a person.
Imagine a video game where you roll up objects so larger things can then be collected. An extremely simple premise, but that is the notion that serves as the foundation of the game series, Katamari Damacy. A game that was wildly popular when it first was released in the early 2000s, its fame has died down but it continues to still be in the hearts of those who have experienced it. It was avant garde for its time, as first person shooters and other dark and heavy games were the primary genre being developed. But its wacky visuals, simple concept and controls, and outstanding music are what raised Katamari Damacy to extraordinary heights.
What is Katamari Damacy?
If you have not heard of the game, it is a Japanese video game designed by Keita Takahashi and developed by Namco. The premise of most of the games are that the King of All Cosmos accidentally destroyed all the stars in space and it is the player’s job, who controls the protagonist, The Prince, to collect items from Earth to rebuild all the planets, stars, and constellations in the universe. The game’s controls are basic as the player only needs the joysticks to play. The Prince is tasked with rolling a katamari (which translates to “clump” from Japanese) around, collecting miscellaneous items until it is worthy enough for the King to throw it into the sky for it to become a planetary body. Anything can be rolled up, from pens to animals to people to landmasses and landmarks. Each level has the player accomplishing a specific task, from getting the katamari to a specific size in a limited amount of time to making the largest katamari possible being able to only pick up a limited amount of objects. The simple controls and goals along with the child-friendly graphics of each level make it accessible to all ages.
Visuals/Music
Speaking of graphics, the visuals is one of the most striking aspects about Katamari Damacy. The style of the games is whimsical, colorful, surreal, and charming which has partially created such a love for the games. It is absurd, far from the other ultra-realistic games of its time, as it highlights and satirizes aspects of Japanese culture such as cuisine and sports. The character designs of the main characters (the King, Prince, etc.) are also extremely wacky and have become popular and widely loved as a result of their unique shape and style. What is also loved about these games is the music, composed by Yū Miyake. He gathered various Japanese artists and recorded tracks that match the game’s whimsy, humor, and Japanese influence perfectly. He created upbeat tunes with latin/jazz and Japanese influences that have become essential to the series. It is one of the core components of these games and has become extremely popular with people all over the world. The catchy music, the cluttered, stylized visuals, and simple game design all work together to create Katamari Damacy, a game that is still lionized to this day.
Personal Connection
This video game has a large significance on me (obviously as I am writing an article on it), as I have known and played the games since I was a young child. I remember playing the co-op mode with my father, not completely grasping the concept of the game. But regardless I still had a wonderful time with him, and it cemented in my mind as a time that I can connect with him through a different form of communication and expression. I had tumult surrounding my life and this game offered some relief from that stress, even if I did not realize what was affecting me. This game made me feel safe. Its fun visuals and music enthralled me and showed me what creativity can result in from an early age. And, I think, it has been a factor in my creativity and who I am today as I have never forgotten about Katamari Damacy even if I did not play it for many years. It held-and still holds-a special place in my heart. It is a part of an era that I am no longer in. It is a part of my childhood that I can look back on with rose-tinted glasses and reminisce on a simpler time. As I have gotten back into it recently, these feelings have returned to me in a deluge. I remember the simple love that I had for this game and all the meaning it held when I was little. Maybe that is why I enjoy the games so much; it reminds me of a haven from a simpler time in my life when I would play with my dad on our PS3. I hope that you can see the quality in this game and decide to give it a try if you have not played it before. Maybe it will remind you of a simpler time-even if you have never played the game before.