Patapon

This is the game that very innovative, cool and very replayable.

I had fun but I must have looked like a total nerd as I sat there tapping the beat out. What I didn't realize is that Patapon is all about keeping a beat and while you only gain three different beats it's about keeping them in time with each other and knowing which to use and when. Confused?

The basic idea of the game is that you, the gamer, is some magical drummer (the Patapon) who will lead these little eyeball guys to IT. The whole point of the game is this journey that you lead them on, searching for this mysterious IT. It's kind of cute and funny and while it's far from deep and the internet slang does get a bit tedious, it just has its own charm.

It's simple yet fun and it's very addictive as I finish the game. The actual game play mechanic rely on you being able to keep a beat of four. It sounds easy and it is but try keeping that beat in a steady combo for five minuets and thinking about which four beats to use.

The first beat you learn is three squares plus a circle button. This has your troops march forward. To attack you hit two circle, one square and a circle. To guard it two triangle, one square and one circle. But remember that you must keep the beat (think of it as button, pause, button, pause and repeat that) Once you finish a beat of four the eyes say some words in four beats (usually a tip on what you should tap) and then you hit your beat again so it creates a nice little march.

To keep it all refreshing is an ever changing musical score which is up beat and urban but maintains the four beat rule. It's very pleasing to the ears and I would recommend playing this title with the headphones on.

Not only does it sound good but this game is very pretty. It's style reminds me of Locoroco a bit with the bright colors and while enemies and terrain may be limited, the bosses tend to provide a nice shadow based look which reminds me of Shadow of the Colossus but toned down in size.

The game isn't all that long but it contains some side missions and you can replay every boss and they get harder each time. You can also hunt for new weapons and do some little mini games here and there (which don't follow the four beat rule).

All in all I'd recommend this game for anyone who is into the rhythm genre as I haven't come across one since the Bust a Groove days which I sucked at and still bought both games but hey, I use to buy pretty much every game. It's a $20 worth game to buy.

Story - 7/10
Graphics - 9/10
Sound - 9/10
Control - 9/10
Game Play - 9/10
Replay Value - 9/10

Final Score - 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10

Game Release: Patapon (US, 02/26/08)