subject: Sony Psp Game - Patapon [print this page] The idea of combining a rhythm-based gameplay into strategy game seemed a bit strange av first when the game's associate producer Chris Hinojosa-Miranda first explained the concept: "You tap out a drum beat using the PSP's buttons and control your tribal warriors to execute manoeuvres."
it sounds terribly complex and not the kind of game that would appeal to many. But the developers at Pyramid Studios were undaunted and believed in their own ability. And are we glad they stuck with it...
Patapon changes the way you look at video games, uprooting base conceptions and completely tossing them around to come out with a whole new approach un gaming.
The story goes that the Patapon were a flourishing people until they were defeated by the evil Zigoton Empire. In the game, you play the role their god and use the war drums to direct the tribe to the end of the world in search of 'IT' - a mystical object that promises to solve all their troubles.
As was suggested, Patapon is a 'rhythm-based' game. Each button of the Sony PSP has a different beat assigned to it and the combination of these beats will have you composing rhythms. That's right, you will be making music to guide your soldiers!
The game slowly introduces different types of rhythm and the action associated with them. The drum beats are accompanied by your tribe chanting 'Pata-Pata-pata-pon', creating a unique blend of vocal harmony and drums. Be warned, though, that these rhythms are going to get stuck in your head for a really long time!
Different rhythms make them perform different tasks and it can get quite mesmerising. At first, controlling a rhythm while also devising strategies to defeat your enemy can be a bit of a challenge in multi-tasking. However, by the fifth or eighth level you should get used to the balance and be tapping your way to new attacks like a pro.
