Dozens of PlayStation followers have spent years dreaming a few new Patapon recreation, the rhythm-based technique sequence for the Ps Moveable that combined shades of Pikmin and Guitar Hero. That’s in all probability by no means taking place, however creator Hiroyuki Kotani is again with the subsequent neatest thing: a religious successor referred to as Ratatan that appears higher than followers might have hoped for. These followers are actually throwing their cash at him on Kickstarter.
Patapon was a gentle sensation on the PSP when it arrived in North America in 2008. A colourful side-scrolling journey the place you management little warriors with musical cues as they journey by means of the wilderness and tackle more and more troublesome and complicated bosses, the small Sony Japan Studio mission received a BAFTA and IGN’s finest PSP recreation of the yr, amongst different accolades. Sequels added multiplayer, further unit varieties, and extra gameplay mechanics. Then we by no means heard from it once more. Till now.
Kotani introduced the sequence’ unlikley return through a brand new recreation at BitSummit in Japan final week. Ratatan brings again the hand-drawn side-scrolling motion, satisfying harm numbers, and catchy percussion based mostly tunes to which you’ll be able to lead your armies. The largest distinction is that the creaturs now sing “RATA RATA RATATAN” as a substitute of “PATA PATA PATAPON.” For those who’re me, the trailer is a kind of belongings you spot out of the nook of your eye whereas clicking by means of a dozen tabs a minute and immediately understand it’s important to watch:
Authentic Patapon musician Kemmei Adachi will contribute to Ratatan, and the sport goals to supply an “expansive on-line multiplayer gameplay expertise.” Which brings us to the Kickstarter. Launched earlier immediately, it’s already raised the requested quantity of $141,098 in beneath an hour, and at the moment sits at over $240,614. It’s slated to reach on PC someday in 2025, with a stretch purpose of $527,000 to deliver the sport to consoles.
After all, whereas the Kickstarter’s success proves hardcore followers’ enduring love for the offbeat indie franchise, it additionally raises all types of purple flags within the yr 2023. You don’t should look far to level to crowdfunding campaigns by designers of cult classics that both ended up being actually unhealthy or by no means transport. Extra lately, profitable Kickstarters are sometimes simply step one towards getting the writer help wanted to really take a mission over the end line longterm.
“There’s a risk of perhaps doing a Patapon sequel sooner or later, however for this we actually wished to make our personal recreation, in our personal type, with particular forms of gameplay that replicate what we wish,” Kotani informed VGC. “After that, if there’s an opportunity to talk to Sony about doing a Patapon sequel then we’ll go from there.”
Sadly, Sony doesn’t appear very enthusiastic about publishing these forms of tasks these days. Sony’s Japan Studio was dismantled in 2021, and the PS5-maker appears more and more targeted on huge finances blockbusters and dwell service video games to the close to exclusion of all the things else. Hopefully, Ratatan finally ships on time and is nice, proving the spirit of a few of these tasks can dwell on even with out Sony’s help.