New 90% Positive Steam Roguelike Is a Faithful PSP-Era Comeback
A new musical roguelike called Ratatan is launching October 15 across Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, exiting early access with a 90% positive rating on Steam.
The game evokes the spirit of Patapon, a cult classic rhythm-action series from the PlayStation Portable era that exemplified Sony’s past commitment to inventive, experimental first-party games. That creative diversity stands in sharp contrast to the publisher’s current focus on cinematic blockbusters.
Ratatan blends rhythm-game mechanics with roguelike progression, creating a unique experience that would be difficult to greenlight from a major publisher today. The game’s strong Steam reception indicates players have embraced this combination of musical gameplay and roguelike design.
The simultaneous multi-platform release across Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, and PC reflects confidence in the game’s broad appeal. The Switch 2 launch is particularly notable given the console’s still-developing library. The game’s arrival on these platforms suggests potential for indie success stories featuring unconventional game concepts.
Ratatan’s journey from early access to major platform releases demonstrates how creative, non-traditional games can find commercial success outside traditional publisher structures. While Patapon remained within PlayStation’s first-party ecosystem, Ratatan’s independent path forward represents a different model for bringing inventive game ideas to market.