Patapon 3

Patapon 3 (パタポン 3) is a rhythm game for the PlayStation Portable and sequel to Patapon 2. It was developed by Pyramid and Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Gameplay is similar to previous titles, but has a greater focus on multiplayer than Patapon 2. Like its predecessors, Patapon 3 is presented in a cartoonish, silhouetted two-dimensional environment designed by french artist Rolito,[1] now with more detailed backgrounds.[2]

Patapon 3
Developer(s)Pyramid
Japan Studio
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
SeriesPatapon
Platform(s)PlayStation Portable
Release
  • NA: April 12, 2011
  • EU: April 15, 2011
  • JP: April 28, 2011
Genre(s)Rhythm game, god game
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Plot

Patapon 3 begins where the previous game ended. The Patapons finish the Rainbow Bridge and have crossed the river to a new land, where they find a large mysterious box. Despite Meden's warnings, the Patapons opened the box, then the Seven Evil Archfiends came out and petrified everyone, except the flag carrier, Hatapon. A new tribe, the Bonedeth Brigade, are determined to defeat the Patapons. Even the Akumapons from the previous game are encountered later in the game. However, hope is far from lost, for inside the box was not just the Seven Archfiends, but also Silver Hoshipon, which found the Almighty and offered to help restore some of the Patapons back to life. The first Patapon Silver Hoshipon restored was the Hero, fusing him with the Almighty and thus transforming him into the Uberhero (essentially, a stronger version of Hero), augmenting his powers.

Together, they found Hatapon and, after using the Pon drum along with Hatapon, the Uberhero learns how to use them. They also restored three other Patapons, Ton Yarida, Chin Taterazay and Kan Yumiyacha, forming the Trifecta and brought the petrified Meden along with them to their new Hideout, where they (and the player) are then introduced to the new shops, barracks, the Herogate, and the rest of the new features. The Uberhero and the Trifecta traverse the lairs of the Seven Archfiends, namely, Valor, Purity, Justice, Earnestness, Restraint, Adamance and Tolerance, with bosses Accursed Dodonga, Gaeen, Kanogias, Shookle, Cioking, Dettankarmen and Arch Pandara. After defeating Arch Pandara, the Trifecta with Hatapon march through Earthend, while Uberhero sleeps soundly. All in all, the Patapons, at last, finally, have found Earthend, and gazed at IT.[3]

Gameplay

The PSP face buttons (△ ○ × □) each represent a drum, which must be struck in accordance with an established rhythm in order to give instructions to an army of Patapons.[4] The main new addition being the "Uberhero" who acts as the player's avatar and is the character that physically beats the drums rather than the omnipresent god previously.[5]

The multiplayer gameplay has been expanded and will feature more heavily.[6] A competitive mode with four-way battles has been added, complementing the co-op system. Every level will be playable in multiplayer mode and can be played by a single player or with a total of eight players. It can be played over the internet or locally with another PlayStation Portable.[5][7] Progression of characters is based on a new experience point system.[6]

Communication in the multiplayer mode is done via a "Pata-Text" chat system.[1]

Development and release

The game was revealed during the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010.[8] It was released on April 12, 2011 in North America, April 15, 2011 in Europe and on April 28, 2011 in Japan.[9][10][11]

Reception

Patapon 3 is considered "mixed or average" according to Metacritic.[12] Famitsu inducted the game into their Platinum Hall of Fame.[13]

References
  1. "Patapon 3". GameSpy. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  2. "Patapon 3 PSP Q&A with Hiroyuki Kotani: More Epic, Multiplayer". PS3News.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  3. "Patapon 3". IGN. Archived from the original on June 22, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  4. Erickson, Tracy (16 June 2010). "E3 2010: Hands on with Patapon 3 on PSP". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on September 9, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  5. Miller, Greg (June 5, 2010). "E3 2010: Patapon 3 Preview". IGN. Archived from the original on June 19, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  6. "Patapon 3 on PlayStation Portable Demo Impressions". Push Square. 8 July 2010. Archived from the original on July 14, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  7. "Patapon 3 video reveals four player Co-op". 18 August 2010. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  8. "Patapon 3 revealed, coming 'between now and December". Joystiq. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  9. "Patapon 3 Hits April 12th for $19.99 on UMD and PSN". PlayStation Blog. 24 February 2011. Archived from the original on February 26, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  10. "パタポン3". PlayStation (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 14, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  11. "Patapon™ 3". PlayStation UK. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
  12. "Patapon 3 for PSP Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  13. "パタポン3". Famitsu (in Japanese). May 5, 2008.
  14. Vore, Bryan (April 14, 2011). "Patapon 3 Review: A Rhythm of Pain". Game Informer. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  15. Calvert, Justin (April 18, 2011). "Patapon 3 Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on April 18, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  16. Miller, Greg (April 20, 2011). "Patapon 3 Review: Does the music-based RPG hit the right notes?". IGN. Archived from the original on December 4, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  17. McElroy, Griffin (April 21, 2011). "Patapon 3 review: Pata-Pata-Pata-Punishing". Joystiq. Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  18. Reed, Simon (May 11, 2011). "Patapon 3: Losing its rhythm?". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2021.

Further reading
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