Ratatan, a musical roguelike and spiritual successor to the beloved PSP cult hit Patapon, aims to revive the unique rhythm-action gameplay that defined its predecessor. Developed by former Patapon creators, the game has launched out of early access for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. While Ratatan successfully captures the endearing aesthetic and infectious charm of Patapon, its underdeveloped roguelike structure struggles to modernize the classic formula.
At its core, Ratatan is a faithful recreation of Patapon’s mechanics. Players command an army of one-eyed fuzzballs called Coburn, issuing rhythmic commands through button combos to march, attack, defend, and unleash special abilities. The gameplay loop involves guiding these Coburn through a series of 2D worlds, battling monsters and working towards a divine objective. The visual style is vibrant and cheerful, characterized by lively animations and a feel-good soundtrack that successfully evokes a sense of nostalgic joy. It’s clear the developers have a deep affection for the original game, and that passion is evident in the presentation.
The rhythm-based combat is engaging, drawing players into a trance-like flow as they hit button prompts in time with the music. The core commands are simple to grasp, but the addition of strategic positioning for the Coburns introduces a layer of tactical depth. However, the variety of available commands and the complexity of the timing challenges are limited, preventing the gameplay from evolving significantly beyond its PSP-era roots.
Where Ratatan falters is in its integration of roguelike elements. The game structures its progression around runs, where players collect temporary upgrades to infuse Coburn attacks with elemental effects or enhance critical hits. These upgrades, however, rarely feel impactful enough to significantly alter the moment-to-moment gameplay. The game world and its bosses offer minimal variation between runs, making the core loop feel repetitive despite the roguelite framework. Permanent progression systems, such as unlocking more starting Coburn or upgrading specialized gear, feel more like a means to artificially extend the game’s relatively sparse content rather than an organic part of the experience.
The decision to adopt a roguelike structure may have been a strategic choice by developer Ratata Arts to appeal to modern audiences and manage development scope. However, it feels like a missed opportunity. The final release appears largely unchanged from its earlier early access build, suggesting that a year of community feedback has not substantially altered the game's core structure. This is particularly disappointing given the success of the game's crowdfunding campaign, which indicated a strong desire among fans for a true successor to Patapon.
Despite its structural shortcomings and a lack of depth, Ratatan possesses an undeniable charm. The lovable characters, energetic music, and infectious animations make it an enjoyable experience, even when the gameplay itself becomes monotonous. The game’s greatest strength lies in its ability to evoke fond memories of a bygone era of innovative game design. While Ratatan is an imperfect throwback, it highlights a desire for more unique and passion-driven projects from major studios in the gaming landscape.