Video Game Review: Patapon

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by Zach Heckert

Take a game visually similar to LocoRoco, combine some real-time strategy elements, throw in some absurd rhythm elements, and what do you have?

Patapon! Developed by SCEA and released on February 25th, this PSP game attempts to inject some variety and interesting elements into a market not used to such absurd crossovers.

My experience with this game was a mixed bag, although there are people who will definitely like this game, especially at its nifty $20 price tag.

We’ll start with the high point.

The art style presented here is absolutely phenomenal. 2D sprites populate this bright, flash world.

The animations are silky smooth and lag free, and the bright poppy colors add a wonderful life to the game.

Not once while I was playing this game did I tire of staring at the cute little characters.

Unfortunately, even the best graphics in the universe cannot save poorly executed and boring game concepts.

For me, the biggest killer of this game is the pacing.

For movement, you must enter a simple button combination to advance your army about an inch. There is a lot of moving to do, and at first, I thought, “Wow! This is kinda cool!” but after about five minutes of the same repetitive combination, I was more irritated than anything else.

The plot involves a bunch of little people who are at war. You play as their God, beating out beats for them to react to. The opening cutscene provides some interesting history on the little “patapons”, but all in all, the plot is fairly forgettable.

Sound is functional. The patapons make strange little noises that fit with their look and the style of game.

For being attractive but grating on the nerves, I would give Patapon a 7 / 10.

Do remember, however, that at $20, you really can’t afford not to give this unique game a try.

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