Metacritic (PS4) (72)
Metacritic (PC) (73)
OpenCritic (74)
Eurogamer (no score):
The Verge (no score):
Kotaku (no score):
Polygon (no score):
PlayStation LifeStyle (9/10):
GameSkinny (9/10):
Destructoid (8.5/10):
IGN (8/10, video):
USgamer (4/5):
Slant Magazine (4/5):
PC Gamer (76/100):
Jack of All Controllers (7.5/10):
IGN Japan (7.4/10, review in Japanese):
Game Informer (7.25/10):
DualShockers (7/10):
Game Revolution (3/5):
Metro GameCentral (5/10):
Metacritic (PC) (73)
OpenCritic (74)
Eurogamer (no score):
Wattam uses a combination of light gameplay and love-it-or-leave-it humour I associate with Keita Takahashi and like, but it's more of a Noby Noby Boy 2.0, a game so simple and nonsensical it sometimes makes you wonder what the point is. If his previous games weren't for you, this one, perhaps a humorous experiment more than anything, certainty isn't going to change your mind. While this and the technical issues prevent from unreservedly loving it, I still enjoyed Wattam, simply for delivering emotionally, if not on a technical leve
The Verge (no score):
It's been well over a decade since Katamari debuted, and since then, there have been few games that capture the same lighthearted-yet-touching vibe. Even Takahashi's subsequent work has largely failed to reach the same standard set by his iconic debut. It's a tricky thing to balance, making a game that feels free and open but doesn't frustrate players with a lack of direction. Wattam not only nails it much like Katamari did, but it also evokes a very similar set of feelings. It's the rare game full of both laughter and sadness — and probably the only one that also features talking eyeballs and toilets.
Kotaku (no score):
I've written a lot here, and I get the feeling readers unfamiliar with Wattam or the work of Keita Takahashi will have any idea what sort of game it is. It's a borderline nonsensical puzzle adventure about restoring a dead world, one object-with-a-face at a time. It's adorable, goofy fun, which I believe is something we could all use more of.
Polygon (no score):
I finished Wattam in a few hours — it's not a long game — but I could only bring myself to play in chunks due to the many oddities and small indignities it foists on the player. I kept hoping for something to anchor the whole experience to some kind of message or resonant detail that would bring the rest of my pain into focus. But after finishing the game and writing this review, I'm still waiting.
PlayStation LifeStyle (9/10):
Refreshingly light-hearted, brief, and full of good vibes, Wattam is the kind of game that everyone can easily settle down with. It's a magical experience centered on friendships and connection, finding out how each unique skill can help everybody out, despite all being different sizes, shapes, and colors. There's a simple joy that comes from playing Wattam, a feeling that many other games just can't match. Wattam is a delightful, fun, and uplifting game filled with laughter, teamwork, and all the things that make your heart feel warm and fuzzy.
GameSkinny (9/10):
The happiness you'll get from playing Wattam is reason enough to embark on this strange quest, but the emotions you'll feel along the way are the true gift that Wattam gives. It is a world that asks you only to accept it's strange logic and rewards you with pure joy, and that's a really good deal.
Destructoid (8.5/10):
I'm not sure if Takahashi will ever be able to top Katamari Damacy – for my money, it's one of the greatest video games ever made – but Wattam captures that sense of whimsy and magic in its own way. The care-free music and gosh-darn-huggable character designs make this a must-play for fans.
IGN (8/10, video):
Wattam is a weird and wild fever dream of a game, but it's the most enjoyable fever dream I've ever had. Its loop of using ridiculous, anthropomorphic characters to complete simple tasks in order to gather more ridiculous, anthropomorphic characters succeeds thanks to the silly and fun situations it puts you in, even if it's not the most complex or challenging loop to begin with. I can't help but feel like some of the most interesting ideas Wattam uses to shake things up aren't fully explored, but being a part of this friendly world, however briefly, is a true joy.
USgamer (4/5):
Some significant technical issues manage to do little to hold back the charm and wit of Wattam. It's a game that's great fun for both kids and adults, with slapstick humor and a sweet message of understanding people, despite your differences, at its center. It's made with today's toxic climate in mind, boiling the world's issues into something that doesn't feel cloying, but instead feels positive and welcoming. That, to me, is an achievement.
Slant Magazine (4/5):
Though a lot of the comedy here is born out of how totally inscrutable the game is, with objects arriving according to no apparent hierarchy whatsoever (a camera, for one, might appear before an ice cream cone does), the themes of Wattam come through clearly. The game muses about how sad it is that we need some kind of catastrophe to appreciate what's in front of us, asking the player to revel in the small pleasures of things that seem, at first, totally insignificant. Through deceptively simple mechanics, music, and art, Wattam communicates a poignant, refreshing, and all-too-necessary joy in the face of adversity.
PC Gamer (76/100):
With Wattam, Takahashi has proven that he still places fun above all else, and even after a decade, it's still a refreshing perspective. Wattam is a fun colourful playground for players to goof around in, even though it's controls have a few screws loose.
Jack of All Controllers (7.5/10):
Wattam is a delight to play. From the cute aesthetic, to the amazing soundtrack, there is much to enjoy here. The story is charming, the characters are unique, and it's just fun to play. Sadly some faults build up and can hamper the experience. From weird controls, to frame rate issues, to the game even crashing. Now all these issues can still be fixed and I hope they do, but in it's current state the game is still very enjoyable. It's a fun short experience that had me smiling the entire time and it's been a while since I've had that.
IGN Japan (7.4/10, review in Japanese):
When enjoying Keita Takahashi's unique worldview and humor, "Wattam" offers fun that no other game has. But unfortunately it doesn't last too long.
Game Informer (7.25/10):
The charming visuals and messages of compassion and cooperation make Wattam a great game to play with younger members of the family, either in co-op or pass-the-controller sessions. Even if it doesn't inspire any meaningful conversations about the importance of friendship – which it absolutely could – there's a good chance that you'll find plenty of silly fun together.
DualShockers (7/10):
Wattam is not a great video game by any definition. However, it is a great, zero-stress experience that wants to show how great friendship can be. If you're looking for a game to test your skills or provide you with a mature narrative that makes you think, Wattam ain't it. However, if you're having a bad day and just want to unwind by kabooming golden poops all over your screen, Wattam is more than happy to take you under its bowler.
Game Revolution (3/5):
Wattam is content with having you chuckle at its poo, which is symbolic of the game's successes. Witnessing its wholesome, nearly childlike view of the world through a bunch of nonsequiteurs is pleasant even if playing through them isn't always quite as enjoyable. And while Wattam seems to want to avoid descriptors and can get away with it at times, that playability is important for a video game.
Metro GameCentral (5/10):
We'd love to say that Wattam is as wonderful and charming as it's clearly trying to be, but it's not. We appreciate what Takahashi is trying to do, and we've loved his previous games, but this is nowhere near as interesting or fun. According to him he made the game because he wanted to show how different kinds of people can get along and make the world a better place. Considering the currently miserable state of the planet that's a tall order and Wattam is woefully underequipped to help turn the tide.
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