iPhone I Love Katamari criticised for control issues
Does it have a case of Super Monkey Ball-itis?
Yesterday, we reported on the stonking news that Namco Bandai has released I Love Katamari for iPhone and iPod touch.
As longstanding fans of the roll 'em up series, we're chuffed. Although it seems some of the early purchasers on the App Store aren't so keen.
Currently, the game has an average user rating of 2/5 on the UK App Store, based on six reviews. All mention similar problems, focusing around the controls.
"Everything is flawless but the tilt control requires you to tilt 90 degrees forward to move at a decent pace," notes one reviewer.
"The reliance on the accelerometer makes the control sloppy and unpredictable," says another. "The tilt loses its centre point. By the end of a level I've got the phone upside down because holding the phone even remotely horizontal results in the prince moving backwards!" says another.
Also criticised are the frame-rate, and the slowdown when your Katamari increases in size. But it's the control issues that may pose a worry for Apple.
Super Monkey Ball faced similar criticisms over whether iPhone's accelerometer was up to the job, when it was released.
Perhaps Namco Bandai will improve I Love Katamari's controls in future updates, but it's a concern that these kinds of games, which are seemingly tailor-made for iPhone and iPod touch's interface, are struggling with its tilt controls.
