Patapon

is a rhythm game where players lead an army of s, small, spherical creatures with distinctive tribal drums. Players must guide their s through a series of levels by commanding them to march, attack, and defend using rhythmic button inputs. The game’s unique blend of strategy, action, and music has made it a beloved classic among rhythm and strategy game enthusiasts.

Gameplay

Rhythm-Based Combat:
At the heart of gameplay lies its rhythm-based combat system. Players control their army by inputting rhythmic button sequences that correspond to different commands. These commands include:

Command	Button Input
March	Left, Right, Left, Right
Attack	Triangle, Square
Defend	Circle, X
Special Ability	L2, R2

By timing their inputs precisely with the music, players can execute powerful attacks, avoid enemy strikes, and unleash special abilities that can turn the tide of battle.

Unit Customization:
Players can customize their army by recruiting different units, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses. These units include:

Unit	Strengths	Weaknesses
Spear	Long-range attacks	Susceptible to melee attacks
Sword	Strong melee attacks	Vulnerable to ranged attacks
Yumi	Powerful ranged attacks	Limited ammo
Bow	Support unit that provides buffs	Can’t attack directly
Jiromu	Rare unit with high damage output	Can only be recruited in specific levels

Level Progression:
Players progress through a series of levels, each with its own unique challenges and objectives. Levels feature diverse environments, including forests, mountains, and swamps. As players complete levels, they unlock new units, abilities, and items to enhance their army.

Story and Setting

takes place in a vibrant and colorful world where the titular creatures reside. The story follows the journey of a group of s as they embark on an epic quest to defeat the evil Zigoton and restore balance to their world. Along the way, they encounter a cast of quirky characters, forge alliances, and overcome countless obstacles.

Music

Music plays an integral role in the experience. The game’s soundtrack is composed of catchy and energetic tribal rhythms that set the pace for gameplay. The music not only enhances the atmosphere but also guides players’ inputs, creating a seamless and immersive experience.

Legacy and Impact

was a critical and commercial success upon its release in 2007. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, charming characters, and infectious music. The game has since spawned several sequels and spin-offs, solidifying its status as a beloved franchise among rhythm and strategy game fans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What platforms is available on?
A: is available on PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, and mobile devices.

Q: Is a difficult game?
A: can be challenging at times, but its difficulty curve is designed to be accessible to players of all skill levels.

Q: What are some tips for playing ?
A: Practice your timing, experiment with different unit combinations, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies.

References

• IGN Review:
• PlayStation Blog: Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Rhythm Game

A rhythm game is a video game that requires the player to match or complement musical patterns. Rhythmic actions are typically button presses but can also be gestures and movements. Rhythm games are often divided into two types:

• Beatmatching games: The player must match the timing of their actions to a moving visual representation of the music.
• Notematching games: The player must press buttons corresponding to notes in a musical track.

Roguelike

A roguelike is a subgenre of video games characterized by:

• Procedural generation: Levels, items, and enemies are randomly generated, creating a unique experience each playthrough.
• Permadeath: Players typically have only one life, and death means starting over from the beginning.
• Grid-based movement: Players move on a grid, giving a strategic element to combat and exploration.
• Turn-based combat: Attacks and enemy actions occur in turns, allowing players to carefully plan their moves.
• Complex and challenging gameplay: Roguelikes feature intricate systems, demanding player skill and adaptation.
• Hack and slash elements: Many roguelikes involve melee or ranged combat, often with a focus on looting and upgrading.

3

3 is a rhythm-based strategy game for the PlayStation Portable. Players control an army of s, small, anthropomorphic creatures, by drumming out different rhythms on the PSP’s buttons. Each rhythm corresponds to a different action, such as attacking, defending, or moving.

The game features a unique blend of strategy and rhythm gameplay. Players must carefully plan their attacks and movements, while also timing their button presses precisely to execute their commands. The game also features a wide variety of levels, enemies, and bosses, as well as a deep and engaging storyline.

3 was critically acclaimed upon release, with praise for its innovative gameplay, charming art style, and addictive soundtrack. The game was also a commercial success, selling over a million copies worldwide.

2

2 is a rhythm-based strategy game developed by Pyramid and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the sequel to 2007’s , and was released for the PlayStation Portable in 2008. The game follows the adventures of the tribe, a group of small, bipedal creatures who must travel across a dangerous world to find a new home.

The gameplay in 2 is largely similar to that of its predecessor. Players control the tribe by commanding them to march, attack, defend, and perform special abilities to the beat of a drum. Players can create their own rhythms, which can be used to activate different abilities. The game also features a variety of new units and abilities, as well as new bosses and levels.

2 was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, charming characters, and catchy music. The game has been included in several "best of" lists, and is considered to be one of the best PSP games ever made.

4

4 is a rhythm-based strategy video game developed by Pyramid and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4. The game is the fourth installment in the series, and was released in Japan in 2017 and worldwide in 2018.

4 follows the story of the , a tribe of musical warriors, as they embark on a journey to find a new home. The game features a new cast of characters, as well as returning characters from previous games. The gameplay is similar to previous games, with players using the Vita’s touchscreen or a PlayStation controller to input commands that make the march, attack, and defend.

4 received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the game’s visuals, music, and gameplay. However, some critics found the game’s difficulty to be too high, and the story mode to be too short.

Creator

Hiroyuki Kotani is a Japanese video game designer and director. He is best known as the creator of the series of rhythm-based strategy games. Kotani began his career in the video game industry in the early 1990s, working as a programmer for games such as Ridge Racer and Tekken 2. In 2007, he joined Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Studio and began working on the series. The first game in the series, , was released in 2008 for the PlayStation Portable. The series has since been ported to other platforms, including the PlayStation Vita and mobile devices.

Kotani’s work on the series has been praised for its innovative gameplay and distinctive art style. He has been awarded several awards for his work, including a Game Developers Choice Award for Best Debut Game in 2009. In addition to the series, Kotani has also worked on other video games, such as LocoRoco and Tokyo Jungle.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack is a collection of tribal-inspired music composed by Hiroki Kikuta. The music is characterized by its use of ethnic instruments, such as drums, flutes, and chanting, and has been described as "hypnotic" and "addictive". The soundtrack was released in 2007 as a two-disc album, and has since been re-released on vinyl and as part of a digital download.

Characters

• Hatapon: A brave and loyal warrior who wields a sword.
• Yaripon: A skilled spearman who is known for his speed and agility.
• Tatepon: A strong and sturdy shield-bearer who protects his allies from enemy attacks.
• Yumipon: A nimble archer who can take out enemies from a distance.
• Dekapon: A powerful drummer who can influence the ‘s actions and abilities.
• Kibapon: A strong and loyal ally who can transform into a giant beast.
• Mogupon: A skilled explorer who can discover new areas and gather resources.
• Pongipon: A skilled healer who can restore the ‘s health and revive fallen comrades.
• Toripong: A flying unit that can attack enemies from the air.
• Hero: A legendary who has extraordinary abilities and can lead the army to victory.

Gameplay

is a rhythm-based strategy game that combines elements of role-playing, real-time strategy, and music. Players control an army of s, small tribal warriors with four different classes: melee, spear, archer, and mage.

Gameplay revolves around issuing rhythmic commands to the s by tapping a series of buttons in time with the music. These commands determine the s’ movements, attacks, and special abilities. By skillfully executing commands, players can lead their s to victory against various enemies.

The game features a campaign mode with over 30 missions, as well as a multiplayer mode where players can battle against each other. Players can also customize their s with different weapons, armor, and abilities to enhance their combat effectiveness.

Walkthrough

Chapter 1: The Green Fields

• Recruit your first s and defeat the Guardier.
• Rescue the Hatapon and unlock the Spear Room for unit upgrades.
• Clear the Hero quests and progress through the Sacred Forest.

Chapter 2: The Dark Forest

• Unlock the Fever skill and face the Boss Troll.
• Rescue the Ton and gain access to the Skull Room for troop upgrades.
• Overcome the obstacles and defeat the Giant Crab.

Chapter 3: The Volcano

• Recruit the Fiver and unlock the Fever Time skill.
• Battle the lava enemies and encounter the Fiery Cyclops.
• Reach the Volcano’s summit and confront the Dragon.

Chapter 4: The Ice Lands

• Rescue the Yari and become familiar with the Ice Canon.
• Defeat the Frozen Elephant and progress through the snowy terrains.
• Face the Ice Witch and conquer the frozen wasteland.

Chapter 5: The Desert

• Unlock the Tata Patepon and encounter the sand-based enemies.
• Battle the Giant Scorpion and discover the Yatagarasu treasure.
• Cross the desert and defeat the Giant Sphinx.

Endgame

• Recruit all types and unlock the ultimate skills.
• Challenge the Hoshipon boss and complete the story.
• Embark on Hero quests and unlock additional missions.
• Unlock the Zigoton and confront the final boss for the true ending.

Review

• Charming and unique rhythm-based gameplay: Control an army of s as their commander, guiding them through battles with strategic drumming commands.
• Engaging story: Follow the s on their quest to reclaim their ancient lands from the Zigotons, a formidable enemy force.
• Charming art style and memorable soundtrack: The game’s distinctive visuals and infectious tribal rhythms create a captivating atmosphere.
• High replayability: Unlock new unit types, abilities, and weapons to customize your army and tackle challenging missions.
• Multiplayer support: Team up with friends or challenge them in competitive online battles.

Overall, is a highly innovative and entertaining game that immerses players in a unique rhythmic world with its charming art style, engaging story, and compelling gameplay.

Secrets

• Unlock Hidden Classes: Collect all 100 Piririt Fragments to unlock the Titan and Berzerker classes.
• Obtain Rare Weapons: Acquire the Spear of Leonidas from the Fehrey Ruins and the Sword of Charlemagne from the Demon’s Lair.
• Activate Fever Mode: Perform multiple Perfect Attacks in a row to increase your s’ stats and unlock special abilities.
• Summon Secret Heroes: Defeat rare enemies or complete side quests to summon powerful heroes like Shovel Knight and Aino.
• Use Elemental Effects: Equip s with weapons that correspond to elemental weaknesses of enemies to inflict bonus damage.
• Generate More Ritual Points: Use the Gong to increase the number of Ritual Points earned, allowing for more powerful spells.
• Unlock New Spells: Collect Muru-Muru Fruit and unlock new spells at the Tree of Prophecy.
• Customize Your Army: Train and upgrade your s in various classes to create a balanced and effective army.
• Master Warriors: Use the Bow, Spear, Shield, and Cavalry classes effectively to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies.
• Explore Secret Areas: Discover hidden paths and areas by listening for sound cues or using the Drums to reveal hidden passages.

Cheats

Unit Stats Modification:

• Max HP: Increase HP for all units
• Max ATK: Boost attack power for all units
• Max DEF: Enhance defense for all units

Money and Resources:

• Infinite Money: Unlimited funds for building and upgrades
• Infinite Ki: Unlimited energy for special attacks

Gameplay Enhancements:

• Invincibility: Units become immune to damage
• Fast Leveling: Level up units and heroes rapidly
• One-Hit Kill: Eliminate enemies with a single attack
• God Mode: Unlocks special abilities and bonuses

Unlockables and Extras:

• All Songs Unlocked: Access all songs in the game
• All Heroes Unlocked: Play as any hero
• All Items Unlocked: Obtain all items in the game
• Debug Mode: Access hidden gameplay options and menus

Easter Eggs

• Baby : Hidden in the first level, a small with a diaper can be found.
• Chaka-Chaka: A hidden area in level 12 contains a secret room with a large statue of Chaka-Chaka.
• Orchestra: In level 21, a group of s can be seen playing music together.
• Kanapai Island: A hidden island in level 25 features a group of s dancing and singing.
• Secret Ending: After completing the game, a hidden ending can be unlocked by performing a specific sequence of actions.
• Golden Flag: A hidden flag in level 24 leads to a room with a large golden flag.
• Hidden Cave: In level 14, a hidden cave contains a treasure chest with powerful items.
• Language: Some of the dialogue contains hidden messages in the game’s unique language.
• Cameo Appearances: Characters from other Sony games, such as Sir Daniel Fortesque (MediEvil) and Ratchet (Ratchet & Clank), make cameo appearances.
• Taku and Mini-Daku: Two small enemies that resemble Taku and Mini-Daku from the Daxter series can be found in secret areas.

Boss Guide

The boss guide provides strategies and tips for defeating each boss in the series. It covers bosses from all three games: , 2, and 3. The guide includes information on the boss’s attacks, weaknesses, and recommended strategies for defeating them.

Enemy Guide

is a rhythm-based strategy game with a diverse cast of enemies. Each enemy has unique strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. To succeed in , it’s crucial to understand the intricacies of your foes.

Types of Enemies:

• Zigotons: Common enemies that come in various sizes and abilities.
• Karmen: Flying enemies that shoot projectiles and have high evasion.
• Dettankarmen: Stronger variants of Karmen with powerful attacks.
• Tatepons: Sword-wielding enemies with high defense and heavy attacks.
• Yaripons: Spear-wielding enemies with long range and piercing attacks.
• Dekapons: Giant, tank-like enemies with immense health and powerful abilities.
• Bosses: Unique and formidable enemies that require specific strategies and high-level s.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Zigotons: Vulnerable to ranged attacks, especially bows.
• Karmen: Evasive and hard to hit with melee attacks.
• Dettankarmen: High resistance to both physical and magical damage.
• Tatepons: High defense against melee and ranged attacks.
• Yaripons: Weak to fire and impact-based attacks.
• Dekapons: Extremely durable, but slow and vulnerable to piercing and magical attacks.

Abilities:

• Charge: Zigotons and Tatepons can charge at s, dealing heavy damage.
• Leap: Karmen and Dettankarmen can leap over obstacles and rain projectiles down on s.
• Berserk: Some enemies enter a berserk state, increasing their attack power but decreasing their defense.
• Area-of-Effect (AoE) Attacks: Dekapons and bosses possess AoE attacks that can damage multiple s at once.

Strategies:

• Use ranged attacks to take down flying enemies like Karmen and Dettankarmen.
• Exploit elemental weaknesses by using fire against Yaripons and ice against Tatepons.
• Target Dekapons’ weak points to maximize damage.
• Stay mobile to avoid enemy charges and AoE attacks.
• Learn enemy attack patterns and use rhythm-based commands to counter them effectively.

Weapon Guide

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the various weapons available to the tribe in the series. Each weapon has its unique stats, advantages, and disadvantages, allowing players to customize their army and adapt to different combat situations. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon, players can maximize their effectiveness on the battlefield and lead their s to victory.

Level Guide

• Mission 1: Defeat Don Don.
• Mission 2: Collect five Orbs.
• Mission 3: Defeat Goruru.
• Mission 4: Collect ten Orbs.
• Mission 5: Defeat Dekapon.
• Mission 6: Collect fifteen Orbs.
• Mission 7: Defeat Gongon.
• Mission 8: Collect twenty Orbs.
• Mission 9: Defeat Gargantua.
• Mission 10: Collect twenty-five Orbs.
• Mission 11: Defeat God of Thunder.
• Mission 12: Collect thirty Orbs.
• Mission 13: Defeat God of Ice.
• Mission 14: Collect thirty-five Orbs.
• Mission 15: Defeat God of Fire.

Puzzle Guide

is a rhythm-based video game where players guide their army of s through various levels. Along the way, they will encounter puzzles that require them to use their s’ abilities to progress. This guide provides solutions to these puzzles.

• Level 1: Use Pata-Pon to pick up the rock and place it on the switch to open the path.
• Level 2: Use Pata-Pon to push the boulder onto the pressure plate to open the gate.
• Level 3: Use Pata-Pon and Pata-Pon to lift the rock and place it on the switch to open the door.

2

• Level 1: Use Yari-Pon to break the tree branches blocking the way.
• Level 2: Use Tate-Pon to block the boulders from rolling into the army.
• Level 3: Use Yum-Yum to dig through the dirt to reveal a hidden path.

3

• Level 1: Use Shama-Shama to create a bridge across the chasm.
• Level 2: Use Pyopyo to lift the boulders blocking the bridge.
• Level 3: Use Zari-Zari to create a whirlwind that blows away the obstacles.