LocoRoco review

For months now, a broad array of videogame news outlets - GamesRadar included - have been extolling the virtues of LocoRoco, using phrases like "the next Katamari Damacy" and "the happiest game ever made." Spend some time with thefree demo, and it's easy to see why - LocoRoco's unique gameplay and lively, wildly happy aesthetic are impossible not to love. But how do they hold up over 40-plus levels?

Pretty well, actually. The gameplay is unchanged from what you might have already played; you play the role of a planet that's been invaded by noxious shadow creatures called Moja, who've corrupted the landscape and eaten nearly all of the happy, blob-like LocoRocos.

Beginning with just a single survivor (who sings constantly), it's up to you to guide him/her/it to find fruits - many of which are hidden - that will enable it to grow. And as it grows, you'll be able to split it into multiple little blobs (one for each fruit eaten) or merge them back into one giant megablob.

All this is done just by tilting the landscape; hold the right shoulder button to tilt it to the right, left shoulder to tilt left, and hold and release both to jump. It takes a little getting used to - especially considering that a lot of the jumps require careful, precise timing - but given a little practice, even novice non-gamers should be able to get the hang of it. Beware, though; while the controls might be simple, picking your way through each level is anything but.