Patapon spiritual successor Ratatan gets new trailer ahead of Kickstarter launch

The game is being developed by Patapon creator Hiroyuki Kotani

Developer Ratata Arts has revealed a new trailer for its Patapon spiritual successor Ratatan.

Helmed by Patapon creator Hiroyuki Kotani, with audio by original Patapon musician Kemmei Adachi, the game will be crowdfunded via Kickstarter with the campaign due to launch on July 31.

Ratata Arts has also revealed more details about the project. Firstly, should it be funded, the game is targeted initially for a PC release. It will then target modern console platforms as part of a stretch goal.

“TVT’s very own ‘Theory Engine’ will be utilized for a stable and expansive online multiplayer gameplay experience, allowing for players to march forward with a band of friends, anywhere in the world,” reads a press release for the game. Physical console versions and “a variety of high-quality items” will also be stretch goals for the campaign.

Originally released for the PSP handheld in 2007, Patapon is a rhythm-based 2D platform / action game in which players command an army of cute anthropomorphic eyeballs known as “Patapons” that can be commanded to move forward, attack, defend and retreat by using a sequence of drum beats.

The game received two sequels on PSP, and the first two games were remastered with 4K visuals on PlayStation 4.

“The three main game concepts are over 100 cute characters fighting it out on screen, four-player simultaneous battles, and more adventure and roguelike elements than Patapon had,” producer Kazuto Sakajiri explained in an interview with VGC.

Kotani, who designed the original Patapon games, also said he wanted to make a Patapon-like experience but with new elements. He also didn’t rule out working with Sony on a traditional sequel in the future.

“Patapon was a really unique experience at the time of its release and reflected the development environment of that era. We wanted to make another game like that for the modern age,” he said.

“There’s a possibility of maybe doing a Patapon sequel in the future, but for this we really wanted to make our own game, in our own style, with specific types of gameplay that reflect what we want. After that, if there’s a chance to speak to Sony about doing a Patapon sequel then we’ll go from there.”