Game Stooge

REVIEW: Patapon (PSP)

• Scribbled on March 13th, 2008 by Jonathon Howard
• Filed in Music/Rhythm, Reviews, Sony PSP

Pon Pon Pata Pon, Pata Pata Pata Pon

Those lines have been going through my head since I picked up this little gem for the PSP. Patapon is a rhythm based 2D real time strategy game, if it has to be pigeon-holed into a genre. The goal of the game is to lead your tiny band of Patapons through 30 odd levels to get them back to their homeland. Patapon combines rhythm, strategy and beautiful art direction to deliver frantic fun at the low price of $19.99?

Patapon is such a odd duck, I don’t know where to begin describing it. I picked it up on the recommendation of a few friends who were going around babbling “Pata Pata Pata Pon” incessantly. When you start up the game, the first thing you’re going to notice is the art. The Minimalist Pop Art Style is amazing. I kept saying to myself, “I’d like to have that on my wall!” when new characters showed-up or I reached a new level. Take a look at the screen shots and you’ll see what I mean. Everything is simple, iconic, breathtakingly beautiful and innovative.

The sound and music are just as alluring as the artwork, which is a good thing as the game play depends on you to be able to follow the beat. Music is a mix of tribal sounds and jazz, as well as the never-ending beating of your drums and the replying chants of your Patapons. The music is memorable in the way all pop music is forgettable in the specific but you’ll find the beat running through your head constantly.

Gameplay only consists of you drumming out a 4 note measure, listening to your Patapon’s counter 4 beats; wash, rinse, repeat. Different beats command them to do different things: one to attack, one to defend, one to move forward, and so forth. After 9 successful call and responds, your Patapons enter “Frenzy!”, where they now move faster and attack harder. This is a nice feature, rewarding your ability to keep a beat. The problem is that some levels absolutely require you to keep your Tribe in frenzy the entire time, or there’s no chance for them to complete the stage.

Now to the all important question: is Patapon any good? The answer is yes and no. The game starts out easily enough, easing you slowly into the various drum beats and how to control your tribe of Patapons. The learning curve is so relaxed that I was fooled into thinking that Patapon was a casual game. How wrong I was! After the 5th or 6th mission, the difficulty ramps up to professional musician very quickly, requiring you to be able to hit every drum beat perfectly in order to successfully navigate your tribe through trouble. The remainder of the game features some levels that are cake walks, and other are exercises in punishment.

Another problem I had was creating new men to replace those who have perished. The game and manual supply you with a few recipes for growing them – that’s right, you grow your tribesmen! - but the game constantly suggests other recipes but doesn’t tell you what you’re making! Composing your tribe is such an important part to succeeding in missions that it is very frustrating when you create a new “special” unit with some of the rare items you’ve found, and they turn out completely useless.

For 20 dollars, Patapon is a great game. The game is fun and addictive, while staying challenging enough to keep you engaged through the entire game. Yes, you will be frustrated at times. The game demands precision, but the good thing is it only takes a little bit of practice to be precise. The reward? There is nothing cooler than seeing 30 odd tiny eyeball men attack and kill giant stylistic dinosaurs!