Modernize an 18-year-old PSP gem: Ratatan's Remake Brilliantly Revamps the Classic Game
Necessary Rhythm: Confirming the Resurgence of Patapon's Spirit
I've gotta tell ya, I ain't exactly sure what's got everyone hyped about the current Patapon renaissance, but I'm not complainin' one bit. The quirky rhythm game where you control a troop of dinky little dudes by the beat of your music is back with a bang this year in the form of the remastered double-pack Patapon 1+2 Replay. What makes things even more exciting, though, is the rumor about a full-blown spiritual successor to the series. Meet Ratatan, a game that revamps the colorful visuals and musical combat of Patapon and brings it to the modern era.
Before it hits early access on July 25, I got my hands on this inventive indie title at the Summer Game Fest to test the waters. With a little practice, I found Ratatan's cheerful twist on the roguelite genre to be a right charmer. Initially, I struggled to get the hang of it, but once I got the rhythm, it was all smooth sailing!
Looking at it from afar, Ratatan looks just like Patapon 4. In the game, I'm controlling a cute little dude that directs an army of weapon-wielding creatures. Upbeat tunes accompany me as we make our way through 2D levels and vanquish enemies, but none of my troops will take action unless I instruct them via song. As a musical bar scrolls along the screen's bottom, I have to press buttons at specific beats to carry out actions – hitting X three times gets 'em to gather around me and march, pressing B three times orders an attack, and so on.
Being new to the Patapon world, it took me a while to grasp how it all works. The early confusion was partially due to the fact that I can move my character freely during levels, but my troops won't follow me unless I'm nearby. I also needed to learn some additional inputs, such as skipping a beat for a defensive stance or for activating a special attack. I even discovered a song that sends everyone soaring into the air, which proved to be an effective evasion tactic in boss battles – though I initially struggled to understand its usefulness. By the end of my demonstration, I was effortlessly tapping out the tunes of my battles.
Ratatan breaks away from its predecessor by laying down the foundation for a roguelite adventure. Each run has me conquering a screenful of enemies, collecting upgrades, and moving onto the next challenge. Rewards can include enhanced health, new troops, or passive bonuses that modify my abilities. During my demonstration, I grabbed a bunch of different enhancements, some of which granted my army the power to stun enemies. This feeling is reminiscent of games like Hades, as the studio appears to be aiming for modernization rather than a simple remake.
I only got to try a few rounds, eventually toppling a sizable boss in a fierce battle. However, I wouldn't have been able to pull it off without the aid of several meta progression hooks. Earning candy and donuts during the runs allows me to return to a hub and unlock a plethora of permanent enhancements, such as increasing the starting size of my army and acquiring resurrection abilities. This added layer really refines the formula, as simple repetition of the same few songs can get stale after some time.
As I delve further into Ratatan, I'm eager to explore how much more there might be to discover. I'm curious to see if there are hidden songs lurking in the depths of the progression system. I don't think it necessarily needs them, as the roguelite boosts are what truly transform each playthrough, but I'd love to commit more intricate actions to memory and test my rhythm skills to the max.
Regardless, I think I'll be content just grooving along to the game's delightful visuals and upbeat music. By the end of my demonstration, I was practically tapping my foot and swaying to the rhythm. That's really all you can ask for in a Patapon successor.
Ratatan will be available for early access on July 25 for PC.
In the innovative indie title Ratatan, technology is used to modernize the musical combat of Patapon, with gadgets such as a musical bar and button presses replace the traditional instruments for issuing commands to the army. The game also features a roguelite mechanic that adds a new layer to the traditional Patapon gameplay, offering a fresh take on the series while retaining the catchy upbeat music and cheerful visuals.
