Bandai Namco announced We Love Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie during the February Nintendo Direct, confirming that the game will be updated for modern systems in 2023. We Love Katamari was initially the 2005 sequel to the sleeper hit Katamari Damacy, and it continues the Prince's quest to roll up as many random objects as possible. The bizarre tale is a great foundation for gratifying gameplay though, enthralling many players with the magical Katamari that snowballs in size upon absorbing larger and larger items. Going a step further, this expected remaster will add quality-of-life features which should bring a personal touch for fans later this year, including a camera mode.
As one of the strangest games set in Japan, the first Katamari Damacy went across abstract, toy-like renditions of the real world to rebuild the stars. We Love Katamari renews this premise, albeit on a much larger scale, and Reroll is set to transform the entry into a more complete experience -- along with an additional adventure that examines the King of All Cosmos's coming-of-age backstory. A new Selfie mode is another highlight advertised in the announcement trailer, and this feature will let players take a break from the game's challenges to document their surroundings.
Capturing the Sights of We Love Katamari Reroll
Dedicated fans have been clamoring for new Katamari games, and Bandai Namco has responded by delivering faithful remasters of the originals for modern consoles. With We Love Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie, the expanded release guarantees improved graphics, settings, and mechanics such as the aforementioned Selfie mode. It is a welcome return as many consider We Love Katamari to be a better entry in the franchise due to its scale and seamless stages.
While the remaster should do little to conflict with its predecessor's formula, selfies are one of the new features in We Love Katamari Reroll that may surprise longtime fans. Those who are eager to use Selfie mode should know that this option only becomes available through progression, first requiring them to collect a camera. The camera item can then be equipped to pause the action and capture memorable gameplay moments. Notable elements of this photo mode are camera focus, positioning, Easter eggs, and emotive expressions for the protagonist. Keen observers also might catch several iconic Bandai Namco characters throughout the trailer, and it seems that capturing them in Selfie mode rewards points too.
Accounting for the variety of beautiful stages available in the original, the camera will probably allow fans to truly go behind the scenes and inspect all the title's whimsical details. Absurd storytelling aside, Katamari is an IP that makes use of pleasant artwork to offset the pressure of its timed puzzles. Photographic treasure hunts could serve as an added diversion that plays into this dynamic and gives completionist players a fresh way to enjoy the classic PS2 game. Besides growing the Katamari ball, activities like these can bring a nice change of perspective when exploring different types of scenery.
Neither house cats nor office buildings will be safe from the ball-rolling action that's coming to We Love Katamari Reroll. Unique additions might make this release the definitive version for players, but the camera mode is a sign that they'll be incentivized to take a closer look at every nook and cranny. Cartoonish fields, bustling cities, and entire continents await those that seek out the remaster's hidden objects -- but there's still time to prepare by checking out the best games for Katamari fans before launch.
We Love Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie releases on June 2 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.