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"The Eyes Have It!"

A Review by Badger
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Patapon is a rhythm based strategy game with RPG elements from the same house that created the PSP hit Loco Roco. Like Loco Roco, Patapon has a distinctively simple 2D art style coupled with an equally fun and catchy soundtrack. Also like Loco Roco, Patapon makes use of some of the most creative gameplay mechanics outside of the Wii.

Your role in the game is that of "Almighty", the God that guides the eyeballs on legs that are the Patapons using nothing more than the rhythm of your drums. Certain combinations of drum beats correspond to different orders for your marching Patapon army, such as move forward, defend and attack. As you continue on your quest to "gaze upon IT" at world's end, you gather new drum songs for different strategic moves, new types of units, weapons and armour as you battle against the Zigaton army and the many screenfilling bosses scattered across the land.

Patapon is addictive as hell, the RPG portion of the game roping me in until I had vanquished the last foe and even keeping me hooked afterwards. While the game's simple charm makes it so enjoyable to play, it is also it's weak point: there is only one difficulty throughout the game, which will impede players who struggle with the timing at the start while becoming unchallenging for others after one play-through. Even though the strategy behind the game is so well thought out, the game rarely requires use of some of the songs, others being made obsolete after passing a particular stage.

After finishing the main quest you can carry on beating the bosses (who increase in strength after every defeat) but ultimately, this is where interest wanes. The inclusion of a simple multiplayer arena could have majorly jacked up the replay value, having players pitch their hard-earned armies against each other. Alas, for every flaw I can pick out in this game, I still can't help but love it. The Pyramid studio has again created an innovative and enjoyable little gem in Patapon and it deserves it's place among the top PSP and handheld games today.

You can expect a good 10-15 hours of quirky rhythm-based hijinks from Patapon and at a bargain price too. If your PSP is gathering dust, don't hesitate to give this a try.

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