Ratatan brings rhythm, charm, and nostalgia right from the start — Pata pata pata… Wait, that’s not right. Rata Rata Rata Tan! If you played Patapon 1, 2 or 3 in the past and wanted more of the rhythm-based side-scrolling action gameplay, you’re in for a treat with Ratatan. Ratatan, however, is still in Early Access on Steam, and there’s quite a lot of work that still needs to be done to improve the game. Let’s dive into why it’s currently still worth checking out and why you should definitely keep an eye on it.
Setting and Gameplay Overview
In Ratatan, players will take on the role of one of eight characters who will set out for Rataport and then face off against dangerous foes in five separate game worlds. The game onboards you quite quickly by showing you how to command your Cobuns. By pressing a specific button with specific rhythm-based timing, you will command your Cobuns to either regroup on your position, attack the enemy, use their special “Hustle Tech” attacks, jump, or guard.
Before you know it, you will be Rata Rata Rata Tan-ing along with Zun Taka Zun Taka Zun Taka Tan-ing and Yoi Yoi Yoi hoi-ing in perfect rhythm with the metronome/timer at the bottom of the screen. It’s so incredibly catchy and endearing but still essential for victory.
Core Mechanics and Differences from Patapon
At its core Ratatan is a rhythm roguelike action game that combines rhythm games and side-scrolling action. This is a game that’s similar to Patapon but is not Patapon, with a few key differences. The first being the fact that you control a playable character, which will need to dodge enemy attacks while issuing commands to the Cobuns you’ve recruited to fight back. Patapon also featured linear storytelling and missions, whereas Ratatan has a roguelike gameplay loop where you’ll try to complete worlds by defeating foes and eventually a boss enemy at the end.
Progression and Upgrades
Being a roguelike, there’s a progression system in the game that involves obtaining enough of certain in-game currencies to spend on upgrades for your Cobuns in order to augment their damage output and your own capabilities on the battlefield. By obtaining certain perks, you can really increase the damage you do to enemies and it’s great being able to mix and match different augments and items. This adds a layer of strategy to the game that is quite fun to use.
Early Access Limitations
The only downside that I can see that Ratatan has right now is the fact that once you’ve completed the game worlds, there isn’t much else on offer. The game is quite short too, coming in at around 8 hours long right now, but hopefully the full final release has a lot more content. The game is also quite forgiving with a “Welcome Mode” which is clearly aimed at helping younger gamers get through the levels without too much struggle.
Visuals and Presentation
Graphically, the game is extremely visually appealing. The very cute cartoony aesthetic looks fantastic with vibrant colours, whimsical animations and great flashy effects. It looks amazing and is definitely eye-catching, with its art style really standing out.
Music and Sound Design
The star of the show, apart from the gorgeous visuals, is, of course, the soundtrack. Not only is it extremely catchy, but hearing Rata Rata Rata Tan and Zun Taka Zun Taka Zun Taka Tan will have you bobbing your head in perfect sync with your characters and their attacks and movements on the battlefield.
Perfect for Steam Deck Play
This is the type of game that’s also perfectly suited to the Steam Deck since it would be perfect for bite-sized gameplay sessions on the go, thanks to its roguelike design elements. Playing through a level, gaining enough currency/rewards and moving on to the next world is perfect for playing while on your daily commute or if you’re taking a break from work.
Multiplayer Mode
The game also features multiplayer, though I haven’t had the opportunity to try this out since it seems to be experiencing some technical difficulties.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Ratatan is worth looking into if you were a fan of the original Patapon games or if you’re a fan of side-scrolling action games in general. It’s slightly different, but it does enough to keep you entertained and with it still being in development, I’m hoping that it becomes fully fleshed out sooner rather than later with a tonne more content and more varied enemy types and Cobuns. Mentally make a note to check up on Ratatan. This game is going to be great once it reaches its final form.
Ratatan Trailer
Read more awesome previews >>here<<.
Game code was provided to us for the express purpose of previewing.
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