Customer Reviews

Patapon 2 (Downloadable Game Voucher)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

SHOULD YOU BUY THIS GAME?
If you're into RPG, strategy, or rhythm games, this game is for you. If you don't know what the fuss is about, and are wondering if you should buy this game, I strongly recommend you download the demo. This game can be challenging to the rhythmically-challenged (RC), such as myself. However, playing the demo got me hooked, so i bought the game and haven't put it down in two days. If you are RC, this game may frustrate you, BUT Patapon 2 has implemented two major improvements over the first Patapon that makes P2 more enjoyable for those who can't keep rhythmn. Before i tell you about the improvements, here's some basic info about the game.

BASICS: You control an army of cute one-eyed tribesmen and on each level you try to move them from the left side of the screen to the right in typical 2D side scrolling action. You will be faced with obstacles and enemies. You can attack, defend, and continue moving forward. This is where the rhythm part of the game takes place. To move your army, to attack, or to defend, you have to hit a 4-button sequence to the beat of a drum. The sequences are different for each command, but it isn't difficult to remember. The toughest part is staying on beat, because if you lose beat, a command isn't issued, and your army becomes vulnerable.

WHY PATAPON 2 IS BETTER: This is where Patapon 2 separates itself from the first Patapon. It has an EASY level, so it is more forgiving if you are slightly off in your 4-button sequence. The other features which make P2 better (there are more than just a couple) is you don't have to nail the 4-button sequence 9 times in a row to get to "fever." Fever turns your soldiers into super soldiers (stronger, faster, more resistant to damage). In Patapon 1, if you were slightly off beat, you lose your fever, but in Patapon 2, it gives you a warning (a skull!) to let you know you are off, so you have another chance to straighten yourself out.

WHY 4 STARS? I can't mention all the great things about this game, but i'll address why i couldn't give it a 5. The game is very repetitive. You have to repeat a lot of levels you've already cleared in order to collect "food" "weapons" "materials, etc (the RPG element). There is a lot of trial and error because you don't really know where to get the materials you need to upgrade your soldiers (every soldier is customizable). The evolution tree is nice, but it took a while for me to figure it out. You have to really grind out some levels, having to return over and over to get more materials, plus you have to keep track of the weather(!) because you may get a slightly different level if the weather is sunny, rainy, foggy, or snowy. Some monsters only come out during the "fog" or "snow" and these monsters carry rare items you need.

OVERALL: It's a GREAT game, give the demo a try, it's quite long, and it'll give you a taste of what to expect. PLUS, you get to carry over all your work from the demo to the game so you don't have to repeat those levels! How great is that?

If you look carefully at all the other reviews the only reason they are rating it low is because there is no UMD and you have to buy off the PSN. Big deal. I will say that at times a manual to explain some things would be nice.
Now to the game. This game is almost not really Patapon 2 but more like Patapon 1 redifined and expanded. There is no change in the graphics but there are significant changes to the 1st one with more classes of patapons, and more types of challanges. There are also more jujus and more materials to create your patapons from. They also incorporated an evolution tree to build your ultimate patapon (which includes not just different characteristics but now you can lvl the patapons with the materials thus increasing their strength). Therefore the base of the game is there and they simply expanded on it. They also added the hero class, which has several types of classes to choose from each with its special attack.
My only major complaint is that the game should at least come with an online manual to explain the intricacies of the game.
i personally do not feel it is essential to buy the first one before getting this one but will makes things easier.

(NOTE: This review is based off the PSN download version of Patapon 2.)

Pata Pata Pata Pon! FEVER!! After five minutes of playing this game you will find yourself repeating those words. The sequel to one of the greatest PSP, and hand held games of all time, Patapon, makes an incredible comeback with Patapon 2. As a die hard fan of the first title, I can tell you that Patapon 2 is bigger, better, and ready for all who dare to challenge it with a much bigger arsenal of baddies, bosses, missions, and rhythmic mayhem. With many more weapons, missions, this game is a great improvement, but the best feature I think is the Hero Patapon, a single-patapon unit who can be customized to your liking and is in a sense the leader of your army. When in fever mode, the Hero will preform devastating special attacks, and when the Hero falls in battle, he is revived right on the field! Another good addition are the 3 new Patapon warrior types: Toripon, Robopon, and Mahopon, which add a very good addition to this games already growing arsenal of ways to take down this new threat to the Patapon race.

The Zigotons are back as well, but the real threat of Patapon 2 are the mysterious Karmen tribe, who seem to be much more dedicated to keeping the Patapon army away from Earthend at all costs. The storyline does pick up directly after the first title, and it continues to be a strong, satisfying gaming experience for anyone up for a good challenge, and for anyone with good rhythm! :) Although, if your looking for a fun game that's easy and you can blow though in a day, then this isn't for you. This game may look easy, but its actually very difficult as you progress. You may find yourself repeating boss battles or hunting to bulk up your army so that you can defeat a greater threat. It can get tedious at times, but it's well worth it in the end. The pride and glory of this game is to create the biggest baddest army you can, and to crush all forces who get in your way!

All in all, this game offers more missions and more game time, and a more challenging rhythmic adventure to conquer. For fans of the first Patapon, you will not be disappointed in the least. For those new to the game, I suggest you play the first title, but either way you go, you can't help but fall in love with these crazy little eyeballs, and you can't help but wonder how their journey will end! For returning players, you will be exited, and, like me, can't wait to see what the REAL EARTHEND IS! :D! May the Patapons live for all time! PATA PON DON CHAKA!

P.S. It is true that this game is not in a UMD format. As far as I heard, the retail case of Patapon 2 only has a download voucher for the PSN. Either way you go, retail or PSN, it's a digital download. No UMD will be released as of now,or ever, as far as I know. :P Happy gaming!

This game is a 9/10 for me. Patapon 2 has several improvements over the original Patapon, and I'll start by listing them (in my opinion):
* More units - usually I don't like a lot of units especially if they don't add to the game, but the horseback and flying patapon added extra dimension to gameplay
* Evolve or level up units instead of killing/remaking them - This solved one of the biggest dilemmas in Patapon. You can even experiment with an upgrade but choose not to use it, without permanently killing off a Patapon just to try it. Furthermore even regular Patapon can level up meaning you can benefit from a good mix. There are some drawbacks but this is mostly a plus.
* More combat and enemies - There's a lot more interesting battles and bosses than the original Patapon

In addition, the game pacing feels much better - more content without a huge jump in learning curve like the original had. Which could be a bad thing if you really like being pushed to the limit. I'd say Patapon 1 was more fun in the do or die difficulty it had because there were times you had to beat a stage to continue or be stuck. Patapon 2 gives you more choices to build up and level up if a stage is too hard. That said, it's not an easier game it just doesn't have the "bottleneck stages" issue as much.

I got a lot of playtime with Patapon on the train during trips, and being a downloadable I could keep a second UMD game in my PSP at the same time as playing Patapon (and Holy Invasion, another game I'd recommend) without bringing cases or accessories. I do think they should have given consumers the choice of a UMD, but it so happens they picked one game out of hundreds to experiment with download-only and it was Patapon 2. If you don't like it, it's your choice but it's disingenuous to make one star reviews for the same reason you don't give Metal Gear Solid a 1 star for not being on 360. If you don't like the medium it's on you can actually buy the European version on UMD.

Enjoy!

This game is an absolute blast. It is not a major evolution of the first game, but more of an expansion of all the things that made Patapon so wonderful. If you enjoyed the 1st game the sequel is an absolute must. If you have not played the first game, do yourself a favor and pick it up. You can carry over your save file from the first game to get an early leg up.

Do not listen to people complaining about lack of a UMD. This is a fantastic game that is only improved by the digital distribution model. Do you still carry a million CDs with you everywhere you go? I know that I don't and have no desire to. Digital distribution means faster loads times, longer battery life and You can carry all your games inside your PSP vs. carrying a separate carrying case. You don't have to worry about your games being lost or stolen. You don't have to worry about your UMDs getting scratched. It is better for the environment. Everybody wins.

I realize that this is not my most thorough review, but I thought I had to speak up against the people who were bashing the game based on the merits of the distribution model and not the quality of the game itself.

I haven't had a chance to play this one yet. I'm just writing to say that I was pleasantly surprised after opening this box to find a UMD inside. I was expecting only a game voucher as the description said, I thought no UMD's were ever made for this game. The item was sold through amazon by a seller, I don't know if that has anything to do with it but I don't care, feels like a bonus prize :-) .

This game is just plain FUN! The graphics seem simple, but they're surprisingly detailed, the music changes often enough that its not boring, and because of the new challenges, and the hero world, you can earn some awesome items for your patapons. The fact you can change your hero's patapon type and class means you can be ready for anything. This game is challenging, even hard! But its always fun. With the new levels on the minigames you get better items to make your patapons evolve to their absolute best, without having to retire the patapons and remake them. Just don't forget to save after every adventure D:

I have never smiled this much with a game before. Patapon is deceptively simple. The one eyed creatures are so cute! I never played the first one except in a brief demo. I downloaded this over the PSN rather than buying the box with the voucher. I admit, I was a little ticked off when I saw there was no UMD, as I am from the mindset of physical possession. Espicially since the downloaded version is no different in price than the voucher box. Isn't the point of downloads supposed to be reduced cost? This reeks of Sony trying to kill the used game market. OK, enough of my ranting. Bottom line: BUY THIS GAME!

Yep!! The French-Japanese alliance have done it again. This is a sequel to the hit game Patapon (Well with a name like Patapon 2, it wasn't likely to be anything to do with Final Fantasy was it :-)) To those of you who hated the graphics, bad luck, the Graphics are as weird as ever, courtesy of Rolito. The Gameplay has been improved slightly, although I must say that apart from a couple of minor changes, the Gameplay in Patapon 2 is much the same as Patapon, but then the Japanese were rather clever in that they remembered the old adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Again the game could last you for weeks. And of course it is endlessly replayable. Of course the bad thing about this game is the same as the original Patapon in that you'll have the tunes going around your head for weeks. In fact it's affected me to such an affect that whenever I'm walking I get the movement song "PATA PATA PATA PON" going through my head.

All in all though - Five Stars.

I'm just going to cut right to the chase.

Pros.
cute little game that you can play for 5 minutes or 5 hours
one of the most unique games I have ever played in my life
not too easy but not too hard.
easy controls

Cons.
No UMD
some battles are hard to beat the first few times you try them (i.e. the dinosaur thing at the very beginning)
seems like a game for younger kids but has the difficulty for early teens

Overall I give this 7.5/10 I really recommend this to anyone who likes trying something new.