Take a Look at Patapon’s Spiritual Sequel, Ratatan

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The PlayStation Portable boasted an array of unforgettable games for a portable console, among them was the rhythm game developed by Pyramid and Japan Studio – “Patapon”.

For quite some time now, the Patapon series hasn’t seen any new developments, with the remaster being released in 2017. However, an upcoming game that can be considered a spiritual successor called “Ratatan” is preparing for its closed beta testing starting from this week.

Ratatan v Patapon

Check out the official gameplay trailer for Ratatan:

Ratatan appears to share a similar core gameplay with Patapon, albeit with simpler aesthetics. Unlike Patapon’s stylized silhouettes, Ratatan offers vividly designed characters and settings, bringing a burst of colors to the display.

In the game, the beat-based commands remain, as does the Fever mechanism. Additionally, it appears that the bosses are revamped versions of those from the Patapon series, such as a colossal crustacean.

Instead of the original game featuring drums that make the beats ‘Pata,’ ‘Pon,’ ‘Chaka,’ and ‘Don’, this new version introduces a trumpet. It produces sounds such as ‘Rata,’ ‘Tan,’ ‘Zun,’ ‘Taka,’ ‘Yah,’ and ‘Hoi.’

In the game, it appears that tribes offer a greater degree of personalization. Players have the opportunity to acquire unique items and select the individuals who contribute to growing their tribal community.

A Roguelike Remix

In a conversation with VGC, the creator of the game, Kazuto Sakajiri, shares that the latest version of our game incorporates features such as roguelike mechanics and multiplayer functionality. He describes the core ideas behind the game as follows: “We have over 100 adorable characters battling it out on screen, intense four-player battles happening all at once, and more adventure and roguelike aspects than Patapon offered.

Additionally, it’s important to mention that Hiroyuki Kotani, the brains behind the initial Patapon, is currently working on Ratatan. Kemmei Adachi, the original composer, is also contributing to the music. Consequently, although there are modifications in gameplay aspects, the overall experience remains reminiscent of the original.

The Original Patapon

Back in 2007, I got my hands on the original Patapon for the PSP. This wasn’t your typical game – no, this was a rhythm-based adventure where I led a band of warriors with the beat of my drum. With its distinctive controls, I could rally them to advance, fall back, or strike when necessary, whether it was rival tribes or colossal monsters that stood in our path.

Here’s a look at the remaster that was released back in 2017:

Back in its release, the game earned numerous awards, one of them being IGN’s Best PSP Game of 2008. Notably, this game called Patapon even had two sequels, namely Patapon 2 and Patapon 3, and a remastered version was also launched for the PS4.

The specific platform for the release of Ratatan hasn’t been determined yet, but given its format, it appears designed primarily for handheld devices. Nevertheless, considering the novel mechanics and intricate details, there’s a possibility that it might also be adapted for larger screens.

Fans will just have to wait and see until the devs reveal more.

The exact launch date for the game “Ratatan” remains undisclosed, however, it’s anticipated that it will be released on various platforms by the end of this year.

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2025-02-27 15:42