Is it just me or is the game a LOT easier now?

[The Maggot Guy]

I got the HOLY CHUNGUS THAT'S A BIG KATAMARI I'M IN AWE AT THE ABSOLUTE SIZE OF THIS LAD ending on my first try for literally all the levels so far except one, and I remember this game being the harder of the two. I haven't failed even once, and at one point I even over doubled the intended goal. Is anyone else having this non-problem?

[Thundercracker]

now try the bear and cow levels =]

[UNBREAKABLE]

Game's not really as hard as people say it is once you get over the controls. As long as you follow the general rule of picking up bigger objects as soon as possible (since the game has a formula that makes smaller objects not add much value to size as you get bigger), you'll reach the goal comfortable lot of times with a lot of time less.

Honestly, the real difficulty of the game is just trying to break your records and getting as big as possible, way over what the game asks for. Since so many things can contribute to your final size when time runs out, people usually make routes which means replaying a lot.

The 2nd game (We Love Katamari) is better in this regard. Timers aren't as long, and going over the target size is heavily encouraged but not as easy to do with time left to spare if you don't roll efficently. Don't get me wrong, it's still not that difficult if you just go for the target size. But most people want to get bigger than the target size in that game.

For example, ALAP5, We Love Katamari's biggest level, has a target size of 500 meters, but you can reach ~3600 meters if you're efficient throughout the entire 20 minutes. None of that is required to pass the level, you only need 500 meters, but to most people the real goal in that level is roll up The King, which is not easy to do if you don't know the level and don't have a route.

[The Maggot Guy]

Originally posted by UNBREAKABLE:

Game's not really as hard as people say it is once you get over the controls. As long as you follow the general rule of picking up bigger objects as soon as possible (since the game has a formula that makes smaller objects not add much value to size as you get bigger), you'll reach the goal comfortable lot of times with a lot of time less.

Honestly, the real difficulty of the game is just trying to break your records and getting as big as possible, way over what the game asks for. Since so many things can contribute to your final size when time runs out, people usually make routes which means replaying a lot.

The 2nd game (We Love Katamari) is better in this regard. Timers aren't as long, and going over the target size is heavily encouraged but not as easy to do with time left to spare if you don't roll efficently. Don't get me wrong, it's still not that difficult if you just go for the target size. But most people want to get bigger than the target size in that game.

For example, ALAP5, We Love Katamari's biggest level, has a target size of 500 meters, but you can reach ~3600 meters if you're efficient throughout the entire 20 minutes. None of that is required to pass the level, you only need 500 meters, but to most people the real goal in that level is roll up The King, which is not easy to do if you don't know the level and don't have a route.

I mean that I'm insanely better at it. After having not played it for over a year I'm suddenly getting the best possible response every single time as well as almost always doubling the goal. I remember this game wasn't too easy and was a bit frustrating at times. What I'm asking is if anybody else is having this strange WOAH WHY AM I SO GOOD AT IT ALL OF A SUDDEN expirience too?

[HaplessNerd]

I actually agree with OP. I've been playing these games for a while through various methods and this port seems surprisingly easy. I was starting to think that I had imagined it because no one else has been mentioning it. Maybe someone should go through and compare level lengths and item placement.

[The Maggot Guy]

Originally posted by HaplessNerd:

I actually agree with OP. I've been playing these games for a while through various methods and this port seems surprisingly easy. I was starting to think that I had imagined it because no one else has been mentioning it. Maybe someone should go through and compare level lengths and item placement.

I think it’s because we’re older and have played games for longer. I emulated it about halfway between when I played it as a kid and the port and it was still challenging, but nowhere near as hard as when I was a kid, because I got my first “screen goes to white as angels fly overhead” ending. That and we’ve played it before so we know how it works.