Katamari Damacy
for PS2

The overall objective and the control interface for this game are both a refreshing departure from the norm. In Katamari Damacy your objective is to roll a small ball—the Katamari—around and attempt to pick up the objects you roll across. Objects in each level, ranging from thumbtacks to giant skyscrapers, alternatively stick to your Katamari or knock it silly, dependent on the current size of your Katamari. To complete a level and progress in the game, you must grow your Katamari to a certain size within each level's time limit. There are also special levels in which you must pick up or avoid certain types of objects but for the most part very little strategizing is required to make forward progress until the last few levels of the game. This game is controlled almost entirely by using the two analog control sticks. This makes driving the Katamari reminiscent of maneuvering a tank or other vehicle that runs on tracks, with each analog stick independently controlling the speed and direction of a set of tracks.
I found this game to be impossible to put down once I had started. The compelling game control is accompanied by a bizarrely addictive soundtrack that is composed of nothing more than a multi-tracked humming session. When you pick up this game, be prepared for something very different and very fun. One word of warning—in the age of highly-polished multi-million dollar game development this games graphics dont compare very favorably. But for my money ($20) this game puts a majority of those big budget titles to shame. (review by Robert)

3.5 out of 5