The third installment of the Patapon series is here, and though it offers everything you’ve seen in a Patapon game before, it is, at the same time, a completely different game. The Patapon series has always been a great-looking, crazy-sounding trip into a rhythm-based God game, and Patapon 3 is no different. With an amazing design by artist Rolito and the exact same feeling given to us previously by other Patapon games, there are many stark differences that make Patapon 3 stand on its own... whether old fans like it or not.

The first difference that is blatant is that players are no longer able to control an army of Patapons – they are now simply in control of a small squad of them. This elite squad of Patapons are controlled in the same manner as the previous installments– using rhythmic drum beats to perform actions and strategy. These sequences of rhythms are displayed at the bottom of the screen, and by performing them correctly you are able to attack, move, defend, etc. As you progress, you obtain more of these rhythm sequences, and thus are able to do more.

- Master the rhythms and feel the flow -

Patapon 3 also has RPG elements. There is a lot of leveling of equipment to be done, and its cool to see your Patapons weapons get powerful. However, this seems to also detract greatly from the game, as it can turn it from the classic strategy and problem-solving we saw in the past few games into a pure, all-out hack n’ slash, plowing through even the biggest bosses by just attacking. The ability to customize your elite squad is necessary to completing different levels, and this adds a nice variety. This is also a slight fault, as there is often so much inventory, weapons, and customization, I felt like I was spending more time customizing my squad than playing the game.

Newcomers shouldn’t worry about giving Patapon 3 a try first. It’s not a requirement to play the first two games, and the learning curve is insignificant, with enough tutorial missions to give you a handle on the basic concepts. Old fans may find the changes of Patapon 3 a bit strange at first, and they may even find the series has turned towards something they may not necessarily like. Of course, if they keep an open mind, the game still has a lot to offer. 

Hitting the rhythm sequences in time is of extreme importance, and if you aren’t the type who enjoys rhythm pattern games, then Patapon 3 may not be the game for you. There is a great amount of quick thinking, as strategies must be invented as new bosses, enemies, and problems quickly approach. This can be quite challenging even if you know what you’re doing, and it is mostly a warning for those who are looking for something more mindless. Patapon 3 keeps you on your toes all the time. 

- There's still a lot of fun to be had with the Patapons -

Patapon 3 really shines in multiplayer mode, and it seems the designers put a lot of effort into it. Going online, two teams of Patapons are able to go up against each other in a couple different types of modes. There is also a great amount of personal interaction, as players can visit others' special dungeons, and a clan list helps you find other players and keep track of those with whom you like to play. There is also a co-op mode in which you can enlist your friends to take on control of the other Patapons to complete the game. 

Patapon 3 feels a bit weaker compared to its older siblings – but it still looks great, and it gives us another chance to enter the psychedelic, artsy, bizarre, and fun world of the Patapons. The game can often feel grindy, frustrating, and even incomplete, but the look, feel, sound, and creative design win out.

GameDynamo's Score for Patapon 3 (PSP)

	Score	Description
Graphics	95	Awesome design and fluid animations. Patapon 3 lives up to the aesthetics of the previous Patapon games.
Sound	92	The erratic, crazy, rhythmic sounds of Patapon 3 are amazing.
Gameplay	90	Patapon 3 exhibits the unique rhythm-controlled elements invented in the first game.
Play Value	85	The past Patapon games seemed to be a little more balanced, whereas Patapon 3 can feel bogged down due to too much customization and power-leveling.
Final Score	89	Even if the first two outshine Patapon 3, the game is still a joy to play. Moreover, with multiplayer support, it is definitely worth picking up, whether you are a Patapon veteran or a newcomer to the series.

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