QJ.NET reviews Patapon

So what’s it like playing god to a tribe of warlike cyclopean beings? You can read all about it as QJ.NET reviews Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.’s (SCEI) Patapon for the PlayStation Portable. This latest title from the same creators of LocoRoco features a unique fusion of the rhythm and real time strategy genres. For more information, check out the full article after the jump.

Taking a page off their previous LocoRoco title, Interlink has gone out and released another cute and animated game for the Sony PlayStation Portable. Their newest title published by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Patapon, is a unique mix of the rhythm and real time strategy genres which places you in control of a tribe of warlike cyclopean beings on the verge of extinction.

The controls of Patapon are simple enough, as you are introduced to the rhythm-based aspects of the game. You basically control an army of Patapons through the use of four tribal drums which direct your units through a set of specific drum beats.

Commands for “advance”, “attack”, “defend”, and “retreat” will soon become a little more than muscle memory as you try to time your instructions to the beat of the lively in-game music. Through the use of these godly rhythms, you can even intervene directly by using your divine powers to affect the course of the battle with special Miracles like rain, a favorable tailwind, or even a nasty earthquake.

The game offers a good amount of playing time as you go through around 30 missions, each with a variety of goals. It’s your duty to guide your newfound people and achieve their dream of seeing the legendary “IT” found at Earthend.

Patapons, What Is Your Profession?

Let us tell you now: Those of you who are expecting the same kind of casual gameplay experience found in Interlink’s LocoRoco, should think twice before taking on this newest game with the same preconceived notions.

While the LocoRoco creators have gotten the same cute and animated 2D look down pat with the help of French artist Rolito, the level of gameplay is definitely much deeper than their previously released game.

More than just a simple rhythmic game, the other engaging aspect about Patapon is the strategic side woven into its unique gameplay. While the game introduces itself up as a rhythm-based title in the beginning, once you reach the end of the obligatory tutorial stage, you’re treated to a whole new dimension as you get around to making your army of Patapon soldiers.

As alluded in the beginning of the review, the Patapon tribe was mercilessly wiped out by the rival Zigotons. This tribe of red-eyed warriors believed that the Patapons’ dream of reaching Earthend and seeing “IT” would mean the end of all civilization as they knew it.

So to prevent that from happening, the Zigotons went on the warpath to wipe out their cyclopean rivals to a man (or eyeball, as the case may be). However, a Patapon by the name of Hatapon survives the final battle and beseeches the Almighty to save their tribe.

That’s where you come in. The game takes another unique perspective by breaking the fourth wall and introduces you, the player, as the main character of the game.

  

Tribal Warfare 101: Game Mechanics Explained

Once you’ve created a lean, mean, ragtag squad of Pata-soldiers that you’re happy with, it’s time to venture outside the confines of your happy little home of Patapolis and check out the world map.

In the beginning, you’re limited to the number of areas you can explore. In fact, you’re pretty much at the mercy of the tribal priestess leader Meden as she beseeches the Almighty for several requests to get the tribe back on its feet.

You’re then tasked to lead the Patapons on hunts bringing home food, taking down humongous bosses and fending off the enemy Zigatons from wiping out the tribe (again). Not an easy job, even for an almighty god of happy little eyeballs.

However, when most of the initial stages are done, you’ll notice that the map opens up quite a bit and you’re free to explore any of the past areas you’ve already gone through.

So why bother with the agony of going through all these areas again? One word: “Farming”.

Now before anybody gets turned off from the “F” word, you have to remember that Patapon is essentially a real time strategy game that’s just packaged in a more unique way. Therefore, it’s natural that you should harvest Ka-ching (the monetary system for the game) and boss drops from previous stages to help build up your army.

 

Speaking of your army, additional units can be spawned back at your tribal home of Patapolis through Mater, the Tree of Life. Due to the unique nature of Patapons, you essentially plant materials into the ground and Mater literally grows new units for your army. The good thing about this is that any fallen soldiers who die on the battlefield can easily be regrown at Mater for absolutely no cost… Provided that you pick up their fallen cap when they die, that is. And believe us when we say that your soldiers will die a lot, considering the awesome nature of some of the enemies you’ll face up against.

Army units are broken up into specific squads of Patapon soldiers. The three basic squads you begin with include the Yumipons which are your archers, the Yaripon spearmen, and the Tatepons who handle the upfront fighting with melee weapons and shields.

As you progress through the game you can create better quality Pata-soldiers, as well as pick up additional unit types while you explore additional areas on the world map. Once you’ve created a fighting force that even the hardiest of Spartans would be proud of, you’ll eventually find out the reason behind the Zigotons’ fervor for wiping out your poor tribe.

Pata-Pata-Pata… Huh?

Patapon, for all its unique gaming quirks, isn’t without its own set of cons. For one thing, people who find repeating stages for a bit of grinding might not really get into the spirit of the game.

However, the game does give players a breather option in the form of the various mini-games you can access while in Patapolis. Through these mini-games, the gameplay crosses over into the rhythm game genre once again. However, don’t think that playing them don’t have their own set of rewards.

For example, playing Kon Kampon’s blacksmith mini-game allows you to create either high-grade materials, which you can use to make some of the more advanced troops, or even unique legendary weapons, which your units can wield in your Almighty name.

Also, some people might find the lack of in-game help a little disconcerting. Some of the stages on the world map really tend to halt progression to a standstill if you happened to miss an important item or Juju Miracle that you missed out on one of the previous areas.

If you enjoy exploring the game world and catch up on the subtle hints dropped in some of the in-game text, this really shouldn’t be a problem. We have to admit that despite the game’s innocuous and wholesome look, it can be quite unforgiving when it comes to solving some of the mini-puzzles that might stump some players.

There’s a veritable treasure trove of secrets that can be unlocked in the game – from additional weapons and items for your troops to various mini-games, so you might as well take the time to explore it thoroughly to get the most out of your aspirations of godhood.

 

To Earthend and Beyond…

All in all, if you’re looking for something which is a unique blend of a rhythm game and a real time strategy title, then Patapon is definitely something you might want to look into. It does a really good job of putting its own innovative spin into each of the two genres without mucking it up by trying to please everyone.

Since the game will be introduced for merely half the price of a normal PSP title, there’s really no reason why any gamer would pass up the chance of even trying out this game for the heck of it. Who knows, maybe the little critters might even grow on you after all their hypnotic chantings of “Pata” and “Pon” finally sink into your subconscious.

In any case, this blogger is going to excuse himself for now and play god once again to his incessantly demanding people. We recommend you do the same – it’s good for the soul.