Ratatan carries Patapon’s rhythm into a roguelike

Ratatan puts music-timed commands at the heart of a roguelike, carrying forward a rhythm-and-strategy formula associated with Patapon. In its impressions of the game, Polygon describes the connection while examining how Ratatan’s run structure shapes the experience.

That comparison has a clear foundation: Ratatan is a spiritual successor spearheaded by former Patapon developers, and Patapon first launched on PSP in 2007. The older series paired rhythmic commands with strategy.

In Ratatan, players conduct an army of one-eyed Coburn through 2D worlds, using button combinations timed to music to make them march and attack. Special attacks, shields, jumps, and positioning add options alongside the commands.

Ratatan uses a roguelite structure with multiple worlds and run-specific upgrades. Weapons can be scrapped to improve specialized gear, and permanent progression carries over between runs.