Patapon Review

What seems like a mix between RTS and Rhythm, Patapon is one of those games that comes out, gets a bit of hype, and is then pushed into the background for the newest (insert game here) sequel/prequel (I'm looking at you FF7). Like other games such as Zack and Wiki, this game is an unnappreciated treasure.

Here's basically how it goes: You're the deity of a tribe of little guys called Patapon who have been down on their luck after being defeated by a rival tribe. They learn of "IT" an object which will bring eternal contentment.
The player uses a drum to lead the Patapon into battle in trying to reach the end of the earth to gaze upon IT, while at the same time, having to face the ruthless Zigoton army.

The controls are simple and the game is easy to get into: Basically the 4 buttons (circle, square, triangle, X) are 4 drums which make 4 distinct sounds. Press the buttons in a certain pattern to play various songs to command your army to do things such as defend, attack, run away, etc. While the premise seems fairly simple, the game is addicting. You'll find yourself going on hunting missions or replaying boss battles over and over again.

The art style has the cutesy, minimalist look as seen before in games such as Loco Roco and Katamari, however, the color scheme of the battlegrounds and monsters give it a feel of intensity and excitement. The battles are smooth and they look great with no framerate issues. The saying is true: Less is more.

Boss battles are definitely intense and fun. But, while the bosses themselves look great, half of them are just color swaps of previous bosses. A little more thought into the bosses would make the battles a little more varied. Even with that, you won't mind defeating them over and over again to get different items and weapons.

The songs are catchy and the sound is usually crystal clear. The game, however, is not without its imperfections. At times, the sound can get a little quiet, and at some times, barely audible, so it's recommended that you play with earphones. When the Patapons pick up money, or reach Fever mode, it can sometimes be distracting and cause you to lose your rhythm, which can be frustrating.

My favorite part of the game however, is the price tag: 20 dollars. The game looks, feels, and plays better than a lot of games over twice that amount. With over 100 weapons and items and over 30 missions, you get much more than what you paid for when trying to get all the items, mix materials to get stronger units and customize them to devestate the bosses and rival tribes. However, with no multiplayer, the replay value suffers a little bit.

This game is an absolute must-own for PSP owners that won't hurt your wallet.

Score: 8