Patapon for the PSP is a unique game that appeals to me on a few different levels. Firstly, the stylized graphics are done very well and are a great quality that makes you forget you are playing a 2D scroll-style game almost instantly.

Here's the idea:

You are GOD!... literally. You are the master of your own patapon army. They will praise you, worship you, and obey your every command! In order to do this you must create a rhythm using your Triangle, Circle, X, and Square keys. For example, to march forward you must tap to the beat (a simple 4 count that is indicated by both the music and the white flashing on the borders on the screen), to make your army move forward you press Square, Square, Square, Circle.... then wait for your army to advance and mimic what you pressed then press the command again to have them advance more or switch to a fighting command (Circle, Circle, Square, Circle) and watch them fling spears and arrows at the enemy. These are just two of the many rhythm commands and it seems as though this gets confusing, however it is introduced to you at a reasonable pace and is really catchy. Every level has a different music in the back ground so getting annoyed with the songs is not an issue. This simplicity makes the game easy to pick up and put down at your own casual pace.

However, if you are like me.. and you are into the evolution and customization options ( a la starcraft) you won't be dissapointed. Every time your army fights on a mission you come across supplies (metals, stones, sticks) and a little thing called Ka-Ching (the life force for your army). These things, when combined at your base camp; can spawn new types of fighters and better types of weapons and armor (wooden spears become Iron spears etc.). You can individually customize each fighters weapons and armor or just hit Triangle and let the system optomize your army based on what you have available. I found both options fun depending on how much time I had.. a great idea for a game made for a portable platform.

To be fair, I must say that I do NOT tend to favor rhythm games at all as many of them are absolute rip-offs (I'm glaring at you Elite Beat Agents for the DS!!). I found this game to be much more rewarding, especially when you failed to make the right combo choice as the patapon army usually only comments with a speach baloon: "are you taking a break?.. are you tired?" instead of a crowd of people booing you because you "suck" (now I'm looking at YOU Guitar Hero).

So I give it an 8.3 out of 10. But if you are into the rythm type games you may enjoy this game more than I did. To find out for sure you can download the demo online at the playstation store http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/02/13/weekly-patapost-valentines-day-demo-download/

If you own a PS3 it is much easier to just download it from the PS3 store and plug your PSP in.

Its well worth the 40 megs worth of space!Taken from front page: http://www.videogamechat.net/news/gaming-news/Patapon-Demo-reviewed-8-3-10-573

Patapon for the PSP is a unique game that appeals to me on a few different levels. Firstly, the stylized graphics are done very well and are a great quality that makes you forget you are playing a 2D scroll-style game almost instantly.

Here's the idea:

You are GOD!... literally. You are the master of your own patapon army. They will praise you, worship you, and obey your every command! In order to do this you must create a rhythm using your Triangle, Circle, X, and Square keys. For example, to march forward you must tap to the beat (a simple 4 count that is indicated by both the music and the white flashing on the borders on the screen), to make your army move forward you press Square, Square, Square, Circle.... then wait for your army to advance and mimic what you pressed then press the command again to have them advance more or switch to a fighting command (Circle, Circle, Square, Circle) and watch them fling spears and arrows at the enemy.

These are just two of the many rhythm commands and it seems as though this gets confusing, however it is introduced to you at a reasonable pace and is really catchy. Every level has a different music in the back ground so getting annoyed with the songs is not an issue. This simplicity makes the game easy to pick up and put down at your own casual pace.

However, if you are like me.. and you are into the evolution and customization options ( a la Starcraft) you won't be dissapointed. Every time your army fights on a mission you come across supplies (metals, stones, sticks) and a little thing called Ka-Ching (the life force for your army). These things, when combined at your base camp; can spawn new types of fighters and better types of weapons and armor (wooden spears become Iron spears etc.).

You can individually customize each fighters weapons and armor or just hit Triangle and let the system optomize your army based on what you have available. I found both options fun depending on how much time I had.. a great idea for a game made for a portable platform.

To be fair, I must say that I do NOT tend to favour rhythm games at all as many of them are absolute rip-offs (I'm glaring at you Elite Beat Agents for the DS!!). I found this game to be much more rewarding, especially when you failed to make the right combo choice as the patapon army usually only comments with a speech balloon: "are you taking a break?.. are you tired?" instead of a crowd of people booing you because you "suck" (now I'm looking at YOU Guitar Hero).

So I give it an 8 out of 10. But if you are into the rhythm type games you may enjoy this game more than I did. To find out for sure you can download the demo online at the PlayStation store http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/02/13/weekly-patapost-valentines-day-demo-download/

If you own a PS3 it is much easier to just download it from the PS3 store and plug your PSP in. Its well worth the 40MB of space!

Here's a link to some gameplay footage:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DAdbCIdNg4A

Tags : Demo : Patapon : playstation portable : Review : Sony

Comments

By: Corrine

On: 12:28 Feb 25th, 2008
Offline

I played the demo, which I got when I reserved the game, and it definitely did not disappoint. I loved Loco Roco and this is just as refreshing as charming. I love this review, you capture the mood of the game well. I can't wait to pick this game up Friday! (That's when I work next, hahaha.)

By: ManicGamer

On: 02:19 Feb 25th, 2008
Offline

Well thanks! I'm glad you mentioned Locco Rocco! Another great game by the same people! Goes to show that "stellar wicked-awesome mega rad graphics" aren't needed for a great game!

By: Dragonfly

Video Game Chat Member Avatar

On: 03:31 Feb 26th, 2008
Online

ManicGamer;43694

Goes to show that "stellar wicked-awesome mega rad graphics" aren't needed for a great game!

Patapons graphics are stellar wicked-awesome mega rad though!

...in their own cute, little way.

Very nice review. It's definately making me look forward to the title, though I'll probably be waiting a bit before I pick it up; Lost Odyssey comes first!

By: ManicGamer

On: 05:25 Feb 26th, 2008
Offline

The graphics almost seem like you are playing a cartoon... I don't know if Kimpossible is in Europe, but thats what they remind me of. Very stylized and very nice to look at.

By: Evren

Video Game Chat Member Avatar

On: 10:08 Feb 26th, 2008
Offline

I ordered it today from gamestation, i wasnt able to get the demo, so I'm going to have a lot of fun.
If I can tear myself away from Monster Hunter Freedom 2

By: boa

On: 11:04 Feb 26th, 2008
Offline

One, it was Gameplay. And two, you said it was mine!!!!

Damn PSP, that makes Patapon, Monster Hunter Freedom 2, Valkyrie Profile, Silent Hill: Origins, Untold Legends and an RPG that starts Popo to finish <_<

Then there's FFVII Crisis Core, GoW: Chains of Olympus and Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops + to get. That I remember off the top of my head.

Yeah, the DS was better [/sarcasm]

P.S. Actually, I'm pretty sure that beats the list of Wii titles I want and compares to the 360/PS3! And it doesn't include the good ones I've already done!!

By: Evren

Video Game Chat Member Avatar

On: 11:23 Feb 26th, 2008
Offline

boa;43796

One, it was Gameplay. And two, you said it was mine!!!!

Damn PSP, that makes Patapon, Monster Hunter Freedom 2, Valkyrie Profile, Silent Hill: Origins, Untold Legends and an RPG that starts Popo to finish <_<

Then there's FFVII Crisis Core, GoW: Chains of Olympus and Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops + to get. That I remember off the top of my head.

Yeah, the DS was better [/sarcasm]

P.S. Actually, I'm pretty sure that beats the list of Wii titles I want and compares to the 360/PS3! And it doesn't include the good ones I've already done!!

FINE. :P
Agreed though. PSP FTW. xD