Review: Ratatan (Switch 2) - Patapon-Style Rhythm-Action Strategy Returns, With A Roguelite Twist
Ratatan, a new rhythm-action strategy game with roguelite elements, marks the return of designer Hiroyuki Kotani to the genre he helped pioneer. The game serves as a spiritual successor to Patapon, the cult-classic PSP rhythm-action title that Kotani co-created with French artist Rolito Giuli.
The original Patapon series gained recognition during the rhythm-action gaming boom for its unique visual style and innovative gameplay mechanic. Players controlled a tribe of small eyeball creatures by tapping out rhythms on face buttons, combining musical timing with tactical decision-making. The franchise proved enduring enough to warrant a Switch port of both the original game and its sequel, released last year.
Ratatan builds on this foundation while introducing new mechanics and roguelite elements that add replayability and progression complexity. The game maintains the core rhythm-action gameplay that made Patapon memorable while expanding the strategic elements and adding roguelite features such as procedural variation and permanent progression systems typical of the genre.
The game was crowdfunded, indicating strong community interest in Kotani’s return to rhythm-action game design. With the Switch 2 as its platform, Ratatan positions itself to reach both long-time Patapon fans and new players interested in the convergence of rhythm gaming and strategic gameplay.