f13.net

So, in addition to picking up a demo of Jak 3 and my preorder of Guild Wars, I picked up a copy of Katamari (surprised it was even on the shelf - but then again I live in the ghetto and the clientele was more excited about ESPN 2k5 stuff).

Fun game. Fun, FUN game. Basically you're a little green guy (standard issue spaceman style that Japan has been using for the last 10 years) and you are pushing around a ball using nothing but the L1, R2 and analog sticks for movement. You start off very small and as you get bigger the world around you gets smaller giving the illusion of growth. You pick up bigger and bigger objects until you reach the desired diameter for that game level. It's simple, fun as hell, and near impossible to master. Some places you can only reach when you're small, some when you're big, and some in the last moments as you're bigger than the goal size for the board.

It's worth picking up at it's $19.99 price tag (if you can find it - at which point you should see if the store has Ribbit King as well, also highly evolved fun).

Now, the most surprising bit about the game that I think is worth pointing out is the music. It's fantastic. Shockingly so. There is different music on just about every board, it's all very strange, and quite well composed. Lots of scratching going on as well as a whole mess of synth shit and harmony.

I give it the thumbs up for purchase. Two thumbs if you're into japanesey shit. Three thumbs if you're sick of all the derivative crap on the market.

There's a video review of the game available on GameSpot (http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/katamaridamashii/index.html) in case you are having trouble visualizing the gameplay. Unfortunately you have to sit through a streaming ad first unless you are a GameSpot Complete subscriber. The game can also be hard to find in stores (http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/katamaridamashii/news_6109142.html) so you may need to order it online if you really want to get a copy.

(http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2004/20040931l.jpg)

That's the first funny comic they've had in a long long time. But only because it's apropos to my current gaming - which I guess is how their comic has always functioned....

Sounds like an interesting game, but my real question is a bit off the main topic even though you brought it up.  The GuildWars preorder:

I've never bought a preorder, but was thinking of getting this one.  How do they work?  Do I get a discount off the main game when it comes out?  I figured you don't get any money back and just a get a few perks here and there.  In this case, you get to actually play on some beta weekends, which is why I was considering it.  What other benefits does it give you other than the ingame special weapon and a lock-in on getting the game in the mail right away when it is released?

I'd go to the game sites to find out, but big brother won't let me here at work and I'll probably forget about it when I get home.

re: preordering - they have the 'preorder box' for sale in the store for $10. basically, when you buy the box, you are putting down $10 towards the future purchase of the game. let's assume the game will retail for $50; you will only have to pay $40, because you already put down $10 on the preorder.

as for the contents of the box, you have your account key for playing the beta weekend events, a one-use "friend's pass" which lets you invite a friend to join you for one weekend event, a CD with the game client and some various goodies (artwork, soundtrack, etc), and a Guild Wars poster.

the weekend events take place on the first weekend of each month until release, starting in November. however, it's worth noting that the end of October (29-31) they are hosting what basically amounts to an "open house" - anyone can download the game client and play for that weekend.
the weekend after that is the first preorder/beta only weekend event. if you missed the game at e3, you might want to wait to check it out on that weekend before you put down the money for the preorder box.

Cool, thanks.  I'll be getting it even though I didn't check it out during E3.  I've seen enough to know it is a good bet I'll get a couple months use from it at release and it is a one time buy (no sub.)  That is enough for me.

It is a quirky, relatively niche Japanese game on the PS2 therefore...

Prediction: This will not be done in PAL format.

Reality: Prediction Correct (http://www.petitiononline.com/katamari/petition.html) (and forget it kid, it's been done before, Namco doesn't give a fuck about your petition)

Fuck. Regional. Formats. And a special fuck you to Japanese developers who seem to get a special kick out of pulling this shit. WHERE IS MY SUIKODEN 3, BITCHES? WHERE IS MY LA PUCELLE? WHERE IS THE LOVE?

Why do the Japanese hate me? Is it my haircut? I can change it if that's the problem.

Why not just get a real TV, you foreign bastard?

Bruce

Because worldwide video and voltage standards actually make sense from a consumer standpoint?

Because Japanese game companies and US DVD companies couldn't screw over countries they don't like?  Well among others.  US gets Hellboy DVD 6 months before the UK.  The UK gets Shaun of the Dead DVD 6 months before the US.  And game companies wonder why Europe tends to have a higher percentage of computer gamers.

Im probably missing some logical facts here, but its a hypothesis anyhow.   It lets Japan sell a DVD for 40 bucks that you can get in the US for 20 and stuff.  I think.

It's still irrational that NTSC-using Japan and PAL-using Europe are in the same DVD region (2). It's not like we have that much in common with them.

Since both Nintendo and Sony (or related game publishers) apparently love screwing with Europe, perhaps there is a market for a "made in Europe" console (in addition to the XBox)? Just make it better than the aborted Philips attempts (like CD-I) mmkay.

(Before you state XBox is American, no, the European version is manufactured in Hungary or something.)

Then again Europe got Mr. Mosquito and Mad Maestro and other quirky games. Maybe it's just Namco being asses.

What I don't understand is if people can get modded PS2's to use both formats, why aren't they able to do this naturally? They'd be able to get niche game sales in Europe, Aus, etc. to people ordering from America without having to go to the trouble of porting and printing a whole new batch of disks. They wouldn't have to port games that are worthwhile to port, thus making a saving there.

I'll look into why they don't, it might be a law or it might be regional suppliers trying to keep their hands in the pie. Otherwise, I just don't see how it makes sense.

Oh yeah... what was the original topic about? Sorry schild. :P

EDIT: No, there are no laws prohibiting players that can play multiple formats. That leaves regional suppliers being asses, or Sony/Nintendo being asses.

EDIT #2: Found this: "Due to an international agreement signed by DVD-player manufacturers and film companies, it is illegal in Japan to play back the content of DVDs sold overseas."

Also found a number of sources that indicate that Sony, Film Companies, etc. use the regional formats for purposes of protecting copyright, which is laughable. I added the laughable. I don't think I need to explain why to people here.

So... stupidity on behalf of Sony et al. Oh, and Japan gets a special mention, much to my immense surprise.

My store sold a copy of this before we even opened. It's a hot item. We had to fend off the guys who wanted to buy the other 2 copies we had in stock. Not a pretty scene.

NBA live was sold the fuck out for a good while after release. We're barely holding onto copies even after the rush. All the stores in our district got at least 100+ calls each with the same damned question "Guys got ball?" Lazy fuckers.

Picked up the game this weekend, lots of fun.  The music is fantastic as well.

The english translation of the dialoge is amusingly horrible, though your "father" is bit of a prick.

My only dissapointment is that I have not reached the level where I am rolling up buildings and cruise ships like the one on the cover suggests, I guess I'll have to earn that.  Oh, and I wish that the 2 player mode had more options.

Totally mindless (though not skill-less) fun.

Went to pick this up and realized it was PS2.

Bah, its not that I don't have the cash for one, it's that I don't want to bother moving my TV to hook it up, and the slacker area is already a huge fire hazard.

I might die.

Wanna sell me your copy?  Trying to find this in my city has proved to not be an easy task :(  Hell I live in a big city too...fuckers.

Best Buy is now carrying this game, so any of you with a PS2 that haven't bought it yet should be able to find it somewhere.

I picked it up the other day. If you aren't buying this, you're cheating yourself out of some of the best videogaming fun $20 can get you. The game is almost as much of a spectator sport as it is a playing game.

It's a great game. For some reason, my wee one is really scared of the King of All Cosmos, which is frustrating me no end because it's a great game for adults and kids. Wildly original.

Here you go. (http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/2CEE64D9-A8D5-44B1-ACE5-ECBAC7429E5D.htm)

I plan to get it one of these days.  Maybe I can ask Santa for it.

I saw the intro sequence, inspired by Yellow Submarine.   Gotta love the balls on those developers to put such a thing together.

I bought it and have played it through almost twice through.  I think the best way to describe it is like an acid trip, but significantly cheaper :p

Best $20 game ever.  and for that matter it beats the fuck out of most of the $50 games too.

If you spent $20 on a/several hits of acid, you paid far, far too much.  Nearly nothing is cheaper than an acid trip.

Still have copies up on the shelf, actually.

Might be out of ESPN, though.

I love the game, I just wish there was an online mode, or a multiplayer co-op or something.  There needs to be a way to share the magical experience which is Katamari Damancy with other people, short of a castrato versus ring.

After listening to you guys talk about it. I picked it up on a lark. I hate you all. This shit is just beyond belief. Perhaps I could stomach it if I got back into my acid habit from the late 80's. Just abysmal. Fuck you.