Ever since I used to be a child stomping his ft to pop songs in Dance Dance Revolution and getting pep talks from PaRappa the Rapper about how I gotta consider, I’ve been a fan of rhythm video games. And whereas I really like well-liked juggernauts within the style like Guitar Hero, I’ll at all times choose one thing with extra originality than simply merely holding down a button, resembling Ultimate Fantasy Theatrhythm.
Cue Patapon, a unusual mix of rhythm and technique originality launched completely on Sony’s PSP and now out on different platforms due to Bandai Namco. You play as a god to the charming Smurf-esque creatures and use drums to direct them throughout missions. Your controller buttons correspond to a rhythmic phrase. Need them to maneuver ahead? That’s simple! Pata pata pata pon! Have to assault? No drawback; simply hit ‘em with a pon pon pata pon combo. Hold the beat going and also you’ll enter right into a Fever, which will increase your assault and defence.
It’s a novel idea for a recreation. You’re utterly indifferent from the Patapon who worship you since you’re considered as a god. It’s by way more preferable to having an precise in-game avatar as a result of it simply enables you to slip into your function because the Patapons’ saviour. You’ll be able to’t assist however develop hooked up to the Patapons themselves. They’re simply lil’ eyeball guys! In a number of methods, it jogs my memory of the connection you type with Pikmin. You need to guard your Patapon as a result of they’re yours.
The gameplay is essentially simplistic however that’s not essentially a detriment. In actual fact, the sport works higher due to its simplicity, particularly in relation to the final gameplay loop.
You’ll be doing a number of grinding missions again and again to gather Ka-Ching and different supplies that allow you to create stronger Patapon models, of which there’s a good selection, from spear throwers to archers.
That grind may sound annoying however the missions in each video games are bite-sized little morsels, so that you aren’t locking your self into 10-minute missions or something worse. I believe it is because each video games have been initially on the PSP and it was higher for the missions to be fast and snappy moderately than lengthy and drawn out. Regardless, it really works in every recreation’s favour.
However don’t go into Patapon anticipating a Guitar Hero clone. Patapon utilises rhythm, however personally, I’m hesitant to name it a rhythm recreation. It’s extra of a technique recreation that makes use of rhythm than a rhythm recreation with technique parts.
That additionally means you shouldn’t go in anticipating a toe-tapping soundtrack. Patapon’s utilization of rhythm doesn’t essentially make for good music to take heed to. Chances are you’ll solely be enjoying percussion however Drum Hero this ain’t.
There are points, nonetheless. For starters, you’ll be able to’t pause the sport, which is frankly ridiculous in 2025. You’ll be able to work round this by urgent the Residence button moderately than a pause button, nevertheless it’s nonetheless ridiculous. And I can’t rely the variety of instances I used to be so near coming into Fever mode solely to screw up by being the tiniest bit off beat. Typically it looks like you could have sufficient area to assault solely to grasp it is advisable to preserve marching ahead.
And worse, it’s very simple to throw off your sense of rhythm in relation to issues like boosting your defence. You’ll be able to chalk it as much as being a ability problem however when you can alter the button-press delay in choices, you’ll be able to’t take a look at your adjustments out with out going right into a mission after which exiting it, which is extremely irritating and time-consuming.
One factor that may’t be complained about is the aesthetic of the video games. There’s an virtually shifting comedian book-like high quality to those little eyeball monsters. They’re completely lovable to take a look at, and it’s enjoyable watching them observe your instructions in battle by throwing spears or reducing up enemies. And the backdrops within the missions are completely stunning, with crisp shades of reds, yellows, blues, and extra. Patapon oozes type in spades and its aesthetic is its greatest power, even over the gameplay’s.
Patapon is enjoyable to play in docked however I’d argue that it feels finest in handheld mode, harkening again to its earlier PSP days. There’s simply one thing about plugging in your headphones and chilling on the sofa whereas sending your Patapon military into battle. The efficiency is essentially the identical between docked and handheld, so that you received’t be lacking out both approach.
Conclusion
Patapon 1+2 Replay is an actual blast from the previous and greater than proves why this sequence was such successful for Sony. It’s easy to play, however should you dig deeper you’ll discover that there’s an actual meaty recreation right here. The rhythm-based controls make it not like any technique recreation you’ve ever performed earlier than. There are some small frustrations, however typically it succeeds in what it tries to do.
