Patapon

Patapon is a video game that consists of 4 releases

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Patapon is a mix of the Rhythm genre and Real Time Strategy genre in which you lead a tribe of warriors by the beat of your drums, on the search for the legendary “IT”.

Overview

Developed by the same team that was responsible for the unorthodox LocoRoco, Patapon mixes elements of strategy titles and the rhythm game genre in a unique 2D side-scrolling look. The player assumes the role of a deity and commands his troops with the use of four drums as they move through the environment from left to right. The game was released to very positive reviews and a sequel has been confirmed to be in development.

Plot

The once great warrior tribe of the Patapons has lost its pride after succumbing to the rivaled Zigotons. New hope sparks however, when one of the tribe members finds their long lost war drums and with them their new-found god, who would henceforth guide their fate using those drums. With their courage rekindled, they fight back the rivaled Zigoton tribe and embark on a long journey across the world, that would lead them to Earthend. There, they hope to find “IT”, a legendary object whose actual appearance or purpose is yet unknown.

Gameplay

From within the Patapon's campground, the player can build his or her army from three squads out of the game's six unit types and can even individually outfit the soldiers with scavenged or forged armor pieces and weapons. Using the game's currency called “ka-ching” as well as optional materials, it's also possible to revive fallen warriors or create new ones. The player can then call to arms and select any of the previously unlocked environments to either progress with the story, confront optional boss monsters or gather resources to improve his or her army by hunting the local wildlife. A number of mini-games are also unlocked over the course of the game that can grant rare items and equipment upon successful completion.
During actual combat, the player only has indirect control over the Patapons and instructs them using four drums assigned to the PSP's face buttons. Following the game's four-four time, players use specific drumming sequences to order commands like “advance” (“Pata-Pata-Pata-Pon”) or “attack” (“Pon-Pon-Pata-Pon”) which the troops will immediately carry out while singing the respective tune. Over the course of the game, the player can discover up to five different songs to widen his or her options in battle. Successfully stringing together commands without missing a beat will eventually activate a fever mode during which the Patapons are dealing additional damage and are themselves more sustainable to enemy attacks. In fever mode, one can also initiate several wonders that influence the weather to the Patapon's advantage like turning the wind to improve the range of archers.

Unit Types

KIBAPON

Mounted cavalry good for short to mid range encounters best in fever mode, they gain the charge ability

TATEPON

Standard foot soldiers useful for short range

YARIPON

Spearmen useful for mid to long range

YUMIPON

Archers good only for long range best when in fever mode as they gain the triple shot ability

DEKAPON

Heavy foot soldier good for close range

MEGAPON

Sound based unit bolsters your units and in fever gains chance to put enemies to sleep

Rhythm Commands

Move

Pata-Pata-Pata-Pon

Attack

Pon-Pon-Pata-Pon

Summon

(While in Fever Mode)
Don, Don-Don, Don-Don

Defend

Chaka-Chaka-Pata-Pon

Retreat

Pon-Pata-Pon-Pata

General Information Edit

Game Name	Patapon
Platform(s)	PSP
Publisher(s)	Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer(s)	SCE Japan Studio
Genres	Add a new genre Action Music/Rhythm Strategy
Themes	Add a new theme
Original US Release	Feb. 26, 2008 need a fuzzy date?
Original US Release	know the real date?
Aliases
OFLC	OFLC: G
CERO	CERO: A
ESRB	ESRB: E
PEGI	PEGI: 7+