By Pon-Pon-Pata-Pon
Version Assessed: PS5 (Standard) / European
- review by Graham Banas
The PS4 remakes of Patapon and Patapon 2 accomplished a satisfactory job of reintroducing audiences to the eccentric PSP rhythm games where you lead tribes of fighters to the rhythm, but they certainly faced their share of issues. Input delay and blurred textures dampened the initial experience.
Bandai Namco has opted for a redo here, rectifying the persistent problems from the PS4.
Input delay is now absent, and you can modify the timing window for hitting rhythms if required. Additionally, the textures appear sharp and stunning – they have never looked better.
A fresh difficulty setting is accessible from the primary menu, although intriguingly, both titles start on “easy.” Regardless, the controls are responsive, and with no delay to concern yourself with, it’s simpler to get into the groove with the soundtrack.
The games themselves are peculiar, yet they possess rich narratives, enjoyable world-building, and excellent use of color. For those unfamiliar with the originals, you’ll be tapping out rhythms using the face buttons to command a squad of troops in a distinctive blend of rhythm and RPG.
Some existing issues persist, such as how tedious the gameplay can become. This is notably true for Patapon 2, which offers more content and variety but requires you to repeatedly revisit maps for resources.
While not entirely unexpected, it is disappointing to discover that there are no quality-of-life enhancements here to lessen some of the repetitiveness of the originals. Some of the more perplexing objectives remain unclear, unfortunately.
However, it’s difficult to criticize the games harshly for maintaining the original experience in this regard, as the remakes enhance nearly every other aspect. This collection presents the definitive way to experience Patapon and Patapon 2.
For over a decade, Graham has been crafting reviews for Push Square. Throughout this time, he’s encountered countless high-quality experiences, and yes, several disappointments. With an extensive knowledge of games and developers, it should come as no surprise that he is comfortable playing any genre. However, when it’s time to write a review, you’ll likely find that he leans towards music/rhythm games, and in more recent years, VR. If you let him discuss games long enough, he’ll certainly let you know that his favorite game is Kentucky Route Zero.