Listening To the Drums of Patapon

Gaming has always been around and often involves two opposing teams vying to win. Games have been played outside on fields and inside on boards. Presently, games have taken on some new roles. Games are now played on machines and computers and often have only one player. Yet, inside the techno games the battle still rages between two sides. In the case of Patapon, one of the newest PSP games on the market, the two forces are the Patapons and the Zigatons.

Patapon is a game introduced in 2008 by PlayStation Portable (PSP). Patapon has been a success from the beginning. It has taken top billing with rewards and recognition from the gaming community. For 2008, Patapon received “Best Original Music” and “Most Innovative Game” by Gamespot. Also, IGN ranked it as “Best Music/Rhythm,” “Best Artistic Design,” “Best Original Score,” “Best New IP,” and “PSP Game of the Year.”

Obviously, this game is enjoyed by many people. Patapon is great as a rhythm game in the use of the drumming and combination of drum beats that guide and direct the Patapon tribe in combat with the Zigaton tribe. Patapon is a great real-time game as it progresses the tribe in battle and in the journey to find “Earthend.” Also, this game allows the player to act as God, except you only interact with the Patapons through the drums.

Just like chess, there are several playing pieces in the mix for a good battle. There are infantry, troops, cavalry, and spearmen. There are dragons, giant worms, and an ultimate evil Gorl. The two-dimensional cartoon characters progress through battle with an end in sight.