Once Upon a Katamari
IGDB
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About Once Upon a Katamari
Once Upon a Katamari arrived on October 24, 2025 as a fresh puzzle action-adventure entry from developer Rengame. Published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, this title lets you roll a sticky ball through history instead of just gathering objects. You cross the Jurassic Period, Ice Age, and historic Japan to rebuild the starry sky while avoiding modern hazards. The game launches on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch with both single player and multiplayer modes available right out of the gate. It feels like a nostalgic trip that keeps the chaotic spirit of the original series alive while adding new time-travel mechanics to the mix.
Gameplay
You control the Katamari by rolling it across different eras, picking up smaller items to grow larger before tackling bigger challenges. Each level requires you to navigate specific historical settings and collect enough objects to reach a target size without touching dangerous obstacles. The controls feel responsive whether you are navigating tight spaces in historic Japan or avoiding dinosaurs in the Jurassic Period. Multiplayer mode lets friends join the chaos to compete for the biggest roll or cooperate on specific goals. Sessions typically last between twenty and forty minutes depending on how many levels you attempt in one sitting. You can switch between eras freely as long as you manage your momentum carefully to avoid falling off platforms or getting stuck on terrain.
What Players Think
The PlayPile community has been actively testing the game since launch with 11 IGDB ratings averaging 79 out of 100. Players report an average completion time of just under five hours for the main story, though full achievement hunters spend over eight hours chasing the remaining 38 trophies. Recent review snippets highlight the fun of multiplayer chaos but note that some historical levels feel repetitive after a while. Community moods lean heavily toward "Nostalgic" and "Chaotic" with occasional spikes of "Frustrated" during the later Ice Age stages. The game currently holds a strong value rating with Fanatical listing it at $21.19, which is 47 percent off its historical low price point. Most users agree the puzzles hit the sweet spot between simple and challenging enough to keep engagement high.
PlayPile's Take
This title works well for anyone who enjoyed the original Katamari games but wants a shorter experience with fresh time-travel mechanics. The $21.19 price tag on Fanatical makes it an easy buy compared to full-price releases. Players looking for deep narrative will find the story thin, but the 38 achievements offer plenty of reasons to keep rolling after the credits roll. The game shines brightest in multiplayer sessions where four friends can cause absolute mayhem together. Avoid this if you need hours of single-player content since the main campaign wraps up quickly. It is a solid choice for casual playdates or a quick weekend distraction on Switch.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer
IGDB Rating
79.0
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6Achievements
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