An interesting discussion of the development of Katamari Damasy here on GDCTV from its prime mover, Keita Takahashi. To watch needs a simple registration but it’s worth it. My daughter and I enjoyed this game from start to finish. Finish comes with the katamari rolling up everything in the vicinity of the island world, including clouds, but not the water.
What works is the simplicity, the sound design, the music, humor, and “characterization.”