Platforms: PSP
Publisher: SCEA

The Patapons have left their home in search of the mythical Earthend. In their quest for what lay at the end of the world, the ship the Patapon set off on is attacked by a mighty sea monster and suddenly, the Patapons are shipwrecked in a strange new land. Taking the role of the “Mighty One”, it’s your job to lead the Patapons through new adventures as they once again take up the quest to find Earthend.

Gamers accustomed to the previous Patapon game for Sony PSP will already know the basics. Using the face buttons of the PSP system, the Mighty One plays the mystical Drum of Valor that the Patapons (one-eyed tribal people) simply cannot resist. The rhythm and tempo of your beats on the drum tell your Patapons whether to march, attack or defend their way to glory in a new adventure that contains double the amount of content as the first game. Tempo, pacing and, as the game introduces new commands, memory are the order of the day with this adventure.

New in Patapon 2 is the hero ability that is unleashed by the new Patapon Hero Character. This hero character is a customizable avatar that brings out a newfound strength with your brave little Patapons. Through tapping out three sets of beats with perfect timing, the hero ability is activated, summoning super moves that bring out a brand new level of tactics to the franchise?s somewhat simple gameplay. The larger enemies of this game easily become more manageable thanks to the hero commands and boss battles reach a new level of challenge and skill. The hero ability is a great addition to the game and adds a new level of flash with the already addictive and cutesy style of Patapon 2.

As you play, the hero isn’t the only character that changes. The evolution system of the original game has been revamped and introduces some new unit types. New warrior types can be added to your army. The Toripon is a birdlike unit that uses long-range attacks. Mahopon are Patapon 2’s equivalent of support characters and easily one of the best units in the game. Though frustratingly weak, their spell casting attacks and healing support make them a valuable addition to your army. Mecha fans will get a kick out of the Robopon that uses powerful attacks to smash and charge through enemy units and barricades.

The good thing about Patapon 2 is that the gameplay of the original game remains virtually intact. The addition of a multiplayer mode now allows you and up to three friends the opportunity to play through dozens of levels. Ad-hoc wireless and Game Sharing (for people that do not own the game) takes the game in a new direction from the original “single-player only” game. Each player has control of one Patapon Hero and everyone works together to ferry a huge egg to the end of the stage. Once the stage is completed, all the players jam out beats to hatch the egg. At the end, any rewards taken away are kept by the host of the multiplayer game so it’s a wonderful idea to play (and host) multiplayer games.

One of the more interesting things about Patapon 2 is how it?s being released. Available May 5th, Patapon 2 will be priced at $19.99 but not be released as a UMD. Retailers will have it available in stores as a download voucher that can be redeemed either on the PSP system, the PS3 system (both over the PSN) or on the PC using the Sony Media Manager software (available at Store.Playstation.com).