Just like Jim Carrey in Bruce Almighty, now you have your chance to become a god for day in Patapon 2 for the PSP.  In Patapon, you play a “deity” to a tribal village whose inhabitants are very tiny and have only one eyeball (but, hey, you’re still ‘god’ to them).  This unique game is a predecessor to the original Patapon – and together this duo of games is unlike anything else on the market.  While the first Patapon game left hardly anything lacking, this “do-over” version expands on all of the best stuff for an added twist on what may be destined to become a pop culture classic.

Patapon 2 Basics

Like the original Patapon, which was released in 2008, the newer version has beautiful visuals, intense game play, and requires a delicate blend of strategy, rhythm, and eye-hand coordination in order to be a successful player.  The new version, however, is packed with new units and abilities as well as a multiplayer mode that the former was lacking.  Players are pleased to find a wide range of “unlockables” scattered throughout the game as well, which makes for surprises at every twist and turn.  Patapon 2 players play as a deity to the previously mentioned starry one-eyed citizens that are called Patapon.  The Patapon were sailing to the end of the world when their boat was obliterated by a sea monster, and they have called on you, as the Supreme Being you are, to assist them.  Commanding your tribe is as simple as keeping rhythm on the Drum of Valour, which is controlled by the face buttons on your PSP.  Each command requires that you tap out play a different rhythm – and what starts out as simple beats quickly becomes more challenging and increasingly complex as the game progresses.

Patapon 2 High Points

One of the best new aspects of the enhanced version of the Patapon series is that players can choose to give one of their loyal subject’s powers that include the unleashing of super moves, like the hero attack.  This allows players to defeat bigger enemies and “boss” enemies on each level.  Abilities from the earlier version are also scattered along the battlefield called “memories” which can be used to enhance player performance and grant access to more abilities that are needed to help the Patapon tribe.  The new game also features the introduction of the Toripon, which can allow for long-range attacks (although it is vulnerable to anti-aircraft weapons that can bring it down fast).  Another new unit in the game is the Robopon, which charges at the enemy and smashes their reinforcements to pieces – which can be amusingly useful during heavy battle.  A Mahopon unit is important to keep alive throughout the game because it has healing powers.

Patapon 2 also offers a good selection of mini-games, unlike the first version.  Mini-games offer Patapon 2 players the opportunity to unlock needed materials by flexing their rhythmic skill set.  Players can also collect items in battle and add new soldier to vamp up their army in a user-friendly interface that is easy to learn.  In sum, Patapon 2 is like the original Patapon on steroids – and is sure to provide players with many hours of enjoyment and replay.