Patapon 1+2 Replay Reviews
Patapon 1+2 Replay doesn't reinvent a thing, but it does remind us why this charming oddity became such a beloved cult classic in the first place. The whimsy is as timeless as ever, even if the rest isn't.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Patapon 1+2 Replay brings back the classic rhythm action games that shows their high quality stands the test of time.
Patapon 1+2 Replay is a real blast from the past and more than proves why this series was such a hit for Sony. It's simple to play, but if you dig deeper you'll find that there's a real meaty game here. The rhythm-based controls make it unlike any strategy game you've ever played before. There are some small frustrations, but generally it succeeds in what it tries to do.
This is the PSP’s premiere music game that everyone loves? Parappa was sent to cross the rainbow bridge for this? How can I be this bored playing a game about music? These questions may haunt me forever. Or at least until I go back to the local arcade for a few rounds of Pop‘n Music.
If you're going to play it on Nintendo Switch, make sure you do so in handheld mode and without Bluetooth headphones: that way you'll enjoy two unique rhythm and action gems just as their creators intended. It's a shame that input lag calibration on the TV is so archaic, so trial and error, because it can easily drive you crazy...
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The inclusion of both the original and its superior sequel make Patapon 1+2 a great value release at the very least, but Bandai Namco could have done so much more to make these games as palatable as possible for modern audiences.
While I would have liked to see a bit more done to update these games for modern platforms beyond just a bump to resolution, Patapon 1+2 are still landmark titles that deserve a look from anyone who has an appreciation for PlayStation's back catalogue. This is the definitive way to experience two core PSP games.
Patapon 1+2 Replay is the remaster of the first two games in the famous rhythm strategy series that was born on the PSP. As the Drum God, we lead a mini tribal army by giving orders only through sequences of four beats, to be executed with metronomic precision to advance, attack or defend. The system combines musical skills, tactics, unit management, material gathering, crafting and evolutions with the typical role-playing game system. Faithful and smooth re-release, ideal for those seeking a unique musical strategy experience, although the final third chapter is missing.
Review in Italian | Read full review
But it’s hard to knock the games too hard for retaining original experience intact in this respect, as the remasters improve pretty much everything else. This collection leaves you with what is now the definitive way to experience Patapon and Patapon 2.
If you're looking for a full remake, you'll have to wait longer, as it's only a high-definition update. They're good games, but they don't have many improvements.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
With the release of PATAPON 1+2 Replay comes vibrant and wonderful flashbacks to a colourful, vibrant, arcade-y and, most importantly, fun, era of games that don't really exist anymore. It was a joy for me to visit these games for the first time, and I'm finally well invested in the majesty and magic of the RTS and rhythm fusion harmony that the franchise is known for. With how grandiose and exciting the battles get with their devotion to music and busy, frantic chaos that explode across the screen, I'd be hard-pressed to find any fan, new or old, who doesn't find joy here, smiling like a huge dork as your units chant and stomp across the world. Though there's still the oddball of funk, including some poor tutorialisation in the first game and real brick wall moments that require grind, I'm glad PATAPON is back in a largely unaffected package. Players should jump right into this here nostalgia-infused release. The water's fine, and you'll be remembering the Patapons' spirit songs for years to come.
An easy recommendation for fans of the series, Patapon 1 + 2 Replay still carries much of the same charm - and annoyances - of the original releases.
While Patapon 1+2 Replay is a pretty straightforward rerelease of its PSP counterparts, it remains an incredibly unique and deeply engaging set of games.
I really love these games, so much so that I've completely ignored the otherwise fatal latency issue by playing them exclusively in Handheld mode. After all, isn't the Switch 2 just a very large PSP? I do wish they'd built in auto-saves, but…I guess I can live with it. Your own mileage may vary on that point. Go forth and get your pata pon.
A wonderful rhythm strategy game that captivates with its melodies and unusual gameplay solutions. And even the mediocre quality of the remaster itself cannot spoil this original diamond. Unless, of course, you encounter input lag - then it will spoil it.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Patapon 1+2 Replay is a fun and nostalgic return to a beloved series. While it doesn't introduce anything new to the franchise or the rhythm-strategy genre, and carries over several of the original games' shortcomings, it still manages to deliver over 40 hours of engaging, rhythm-based action, enriched with light strategy and RPG elements.
Review in Persian | Read full review
These remastered versions of Patapon are more than an exersice in nostalgia. They're a glimpse into a different era when genres now considered "casual" demanded a lot of dedication from their players. Some of their elements—like the need to grind—may seem dated, but that's the kind of games they are. Even if they're frustrating, their charisma and devilishly catchy rhythms keep us glued to the screen. It's a shame they didn't include Patapon 3.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Patapon 1+2 Replay is a faithful remaster of the rhythm/action games from the PSP era. While simple in its conceived gameplay loop, it rewards skillful play by providing significant bonuses through systems like Fever and good decision making through telegraphed enemy actions. By paying close attention to stage gimmicks and behavior patterns, you can guide your cute anthropomorphic eyeball tribe to success as they journey to the promised land of Earthend. Because it is a faithful remaster of the original games, Patapon 1+2 Replay retains the same problems and inconveniences that their predecessors had in both its repetitive gameplay, random loot system, and sometimes weirdly timed introduction of progression items. As a series that encourages the player to grind, the lack of variation in its minigames and non-repeatable story stages make for a less than stellar post-game experience. The novelty of the game within the rhythm slash strategy genre, however, makes it a memorable pickup back then and even until now. For a respectable $30 US price point, Patapon 1+2 Replay delivers with incredible quality for remastered games’ standards that seamlessly runs on modern machines. With quirky, fun backgrounds and creature designs that’ll have your heart hurting with their cuteness, Bandai Namco’s rerelease of this beloved classic is one both new and veteran players can appreciate. Just take note of the possible input delay in some features of the game; it can make or break your overall experience if you get fixated on it.
Patapon 1 + 2 Replay recalls and rescues a forgotten PSP classic, and even though it maintains the idea without many tweaks, it is still a worthwhile package due to the originality, fluidity and fun of the games, which have certainly stood the test of time very well.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Patapon 1 + 2 Replay may be throwbacks to another time, but their gameplay is pretty timeless, and whether you played them the first time around or not, it’s a good time to go back (or go for the first time) and lose yourself in the rhythm.