Sony continues to please the owners of PlayStation 4 console HD remaster of their classic games. This year we have already managed to take part in a futuristic racing Wipeout Omega Collection, enough to play music in PaRappa the Rapper Remastered and jump in LocoRoco Remastered. The time has come to remind gamers about the remarkable series of rhythm game Patapon, which was incredibly popular in the era of the portable console PlayStation portable.
Game: Patapon Remastered
Platform: PlayStation 4
Genre: Rhythm
Release date: August 1, 2017
Developer: Japan Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Rhythm games have always been my little weakness. After all, what is essentially a rhythm game? This is a genre of electronic entertainment, in which equal proportions of mixed gaming and music industry. And now I speak not about such popular series as Guitar Hero, Rock Band or Dance Dance Revolution. I am much closer to more niche projects. For example, I mentioned earlier PaRappa the Rapper, elegant, in terms of humor Elite Beat Agents or incredibly fascinating Rhythm Paradise series. Similar games there are not as many as I would like. That is why to tell about them to readers it’s always a pleasure.
The original Patapon was created through the efforts of developers of Pyramid and Japan Studio in 2007. This stylish and unusual rhythm game relished owners of the handheld console the PlayStation Portable, so after the first part was followed by a sequel and then a triquel. The plot is the story of a fictional people pataponov experiencing not the best times. After the tribe pataponov was almost completely cut zigoton Empire, from extinction tiny men could save only the Supreme deity, which is player. In these difficult times Patapon just needed a talented military leader, able to bring them back in line. Commanding the army potapovskij soldiers, the player will have to help them overcome a severe crisis and to regain its former prosperity and greatness.
The game mechanics relies on a drum kit. The edges of the screen flashes the contour indicating perfect moments to press buttons. Each of the four main buttons of the DualShock 4 controller (“circle”, “square”, “triangle” and “X”) is assigned a unique sacred drum. The sounds of the drums different from each other and read as follows: “PATA”, “PON”, “Chaka” and “don”. Losing chain of sounds, the player gives the army pataponov team. For example, the command “PATA-PATA-PATA-PON” makes them March forward, and “PON-PON-PATA-PON” means that at the moment you need to attack the enemy. Maintaining the right rhythm, the army may enter into a state of Fever, when their fighting skills are considerably enhanced. Combining movement, attack, defense and other actions, required level to conduct the army to the lost Cryselle where the mythical hidden treasure.
Fight patapons will not only with my sworn enemies from the warlike Empire shotanov. On your way you will meet dangerous monsters and even giant bosses to defeat which will be extremely difficult. Patapon are divided into several different classes, each of which is good in your case. Before each level the player can only choose three different squad, which will consist of his army. It can be spearmen (yaripon), archers (yumipon), military musicians (akapana), mages and so on. We need to very carefully plan every military operation, because if you make the wrong choice warriors, all of them can expect a sad fate. Do not forget that to increase your little army will have to spend the local currency of Ka-Ching and valuable items. Each warrior is incredibly valuable to the tribe, so try not to lose pataponov in battle.
During the mission, remember that gathering resources is extremely important for endangered tribe. Patapons will be useful to any valuable items, be it wood, stones, meat falling out of dead animals, mushrooms or vegetables. All that is needed for bringing of offerings to the gods, and the birth of new warriors. After completing each mission you will return to the settlement Patapolis where you can catch your breath, to count the losses and collected the loot, and prepare for the next mission. You can also pay a visit to the ancient dancin ‘ UBO Bon tree, with branches which fall from time to time valuable items, and to listen to what they Patapon gathered around a ritual fire.
About the graphics of the game, we can say that even 10 years later she still felt incredibly stylish and unusual. Not without reason after all to create an image of this fantastic world was invited by the famous Japanese artist Rolito. Full HD (and 4K, if you play on a PlayStation 4 Pro) Patapon looks great. Lines are crisp, and the animation of characters is smooth, and the colors are very juicy. It is unlikely the PSP was able to give such a wonderful picture in 2007. However, the remaster was very contradictory, if you look at him better. For example, the story inserts (at least most of them) were moved into the game in pristine quality. The resolution of these videos is so low by today’s standards, my eyes were starting to bleed. And I categorically don’t understand why the developers just don’t redraw the screen saver from scratch. Nothing complicated about it is definitely not. This hack from Japan Studio a few upsets.
In terms of music and sound is exactly the same as with the PSP version of the game. However, even the developers recommend players to use headphones to immerse themselves in the gameplay. Personally I thought Patapon Remastered suffers from the same disease, and the recent re-release of PaRappa the Rapper, namely a slight delay between pressing the keys and response of the game. Delay, of course, is not as significant as in the case of PaRappa, but sometimes it confuses rhythm. And this can adversely affect the course of a fierce battle with any boss. The problem is partially solved by connecting the wired controller – I checked personally. However, this disadvantage is the main drawback of use. The developers fully game ported from a handheld console, the PlayStation 4, but forgot the most important: about the new content. In the game it’s gone from the words do (if not to take into account the addition of trophies). Seriously? And it is, for a moment, 1069 rubles (855 rubles for subscribers of PS Plus). In principle, it would be possible to produce the whole trilogy of Patapon from. I think fans of the series appreciated would such a step.
Pros:
- After transferring to the PS4, the game looks just fine.
- Unique visual style, created by the artist Rolito.
- One of the best representatives of the genre of rhythm games.
- A wonderful opportunity to indulge in nostalgia.
- A great combination of strategy and music rhythm.
- The game now has trophies.
Cons:
- In 10 years the game has not translated into Russian language.
- In Patapon Remastered’t added anything new.
- Input Lag can seriously spoil the impression.
- Video sequences are left in low resolution.
Patapon, no doubt, is a landmark game for its genre. And even a decade after the release of the original this adventure is able to deliver a lot of pleasant emotions to the players. Especially those who have never been familiar with the series. Yes, reissue have serious problems with the lack of new content, a small input-lag and cutting her eyes resolution screensavers. But the rest is still the same brilliant rhythm game about charming tiny pataponov trying to get on the end of the world and defeat your enemies with music. The game to this day simply has no parallel. And hardly they will appear. If only Sony Interactive Entertainment suddenly decides to release the fourth game of the legendary series. But it would be nice, agree? Put the re-release of 7 points out of 10.
Review game Patapon Remastered
Sergey Grey