Some reviewers criticized the repetitive nature of it and the lack of a pause option. Patapon was well-received among critics with multiple reviewers praising the art style of the Patapon tribe and the music. They encounter giant beasts and an enemy tribe known as the Zigotons that serve as obstacles throughout their adventure.
The story follows the Patapon tribe in their journey to reach Earthend and gaze upon 'IT'. In the game, the player acts as an invisible deity to a tribe of anthropomorphic eyeballs known as 'Patapons' that can be commanded to move forward, attack, defend and retreat by using a sequence of drum beats. It was released in Japan in December 2007 and in February 2008 for North America and Europe. Kotani chose the name because it sounded similar to marching and drumming. The name Patapon was created by Rolito and was inspired by an old French word for 'children'. The game's concept and design were conceived when game designer Hiroyuki Kotani discovered the Patapon designs from French artist Rolito's personal website. The game's unique genre was described to be a combination of rhythm and strategy. Patapon is a 2007 video game co-developed by Pyramid and Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable (PSP).
