It’s not very difficult to figure out why so many people still remember Papaton. It is simply hands-down one of the most unusual PlayStation titles. Instead of giving players direct control over an army, it asks them to enter button combinations to the beat of the music to command their units. Although the concept is simple enough on paper, it’s actually quite challenging; combining rhythm with strategic decision-making may not be easy, but it’s definitely entertaining. And now, some of the creators behind the original game have effectively brought back this idea with Ratatan.
However, Ratatan isn’t trying to copy Papaton, not really. Sure, it retains the familiar rhythm-based commands, but it also introduces roguelike progression, freely movable leaders, and even online co-op for up to four players. All of these additions sound promising, especially for players looking for something more complex than the original. Still, there is a good chance that some longtime Papaton fans will not appreciate every change because adding new mechanics could also mean fundamentally altering what made the original PlayStation title so special.
Ratatan Adds More Complexity to Combat and Progression
In Papaton, instead of constantly worrying about directly controlling individual characters during combat, players’ main responsibility is to issue commands through rhythmic button combinations. However, Ratatan adds a little twist of its own, allowing players to move their leaders freely while commanding their units, known as Cobun. And even though this may sound like a relatively small addition, it could significantly impact the way players approach combat. According to the developers, positioning and knowing when to attack or retreat are essential skills, and in order for players to play the game effectively, they have to pay attention to everything at once. In other words, people who enjoyed the game because of its simplicity might not be very excited about having additional responsibilities.
Moreover, the two games have very different progression systems. According to the official description, each adventure in Ratatan offers different randomized power-ups and rewards, which means that players won’t necessarily have access to the same advantages every single time. Additionally, if they lose, they may return to Ratatan Dock and use systems such as the Support Desk to improve their abilities and obtain stronger equipment. Rougelike enjoyers will most probably appreciate the fact that you can become more powerful with each unsuccessful attempt. However, this also raises the question of how much a player’s success should depend on their equipment. In Papaton, for example, mastering the rhythm and understanding when to issue different orders is key when it comes to improving. So, whether people like Ratatan or not really depends on what they prefer: progression systems or mastering mechanics.
Four-Player Co-op Makes Ratatan Even More Demanding
-
Image via Game Source Entertainment -
Image via Game Source Entertainment -
Image via Game Source Entertainment
Maybe one of Ratatan‘s most exciting additions is its online cooperative mode. Now players can join forces with their friends, and each person will be able to control their own group of units. Without a doubt, this introduces many possibilities to create more challenges around the rhythm-based combat mechanic, but it also means that players generally have to pay attention to what their teammates are doing as well, on top of everything else. And if those who like Papaton because of its simplicity don’t approve of the progression system, I don’t even want to know what they think of the co-op mode.
Whether people like Ratatan or not really depends on what they prefer: progression systems or mastering mechanics.
Jokes aside, there is one more interesting feature, and it’s called FEVER MODE. Players can activate it by successfully maintaining the rhythm. According to the developers, it’s possible for all participating groups to enter this mode at the same time, which means that people will have yet another reason to coordinate their actions. Yes, this has the potential to make the battles more exciting, but it may prove overwhelming for those who prefer the more solitary approach of Papaton.
The Case for Reinventing Classics Instead of Remaking Them
Of course, it would not be fair to criticize Ratatan simply because it doesn’t really follow the exact same formula as its predecessor. After all, it was never meant to be just a remake, so it makes sense that there are plenty of new features. In fact, the results of experimenting are sometimes quite impressive. In any case, it seems like Ratatan is generally targeting two extremely different audiences; newcomers might appreciate the additional complexity, while Papaton could find themselves missing the more straightforward approach.
In any case, the audience it attracts is probably a mix of the two. However, what is more interesting is whether more studios should follow Ratatan‘s example instead of simply remaking older games. Maybe there is no straightforward answer to this question, but perhaps it mostly depends on how well the original mechanics have aged as well. Ultimately, both approaches have their place in the industry, and there’s no reason why devs should hold back from adding new mechanics to old ideas. However, they should always be ready to face some criticism from some longtime fans.
- Released
-
October 15, 2026
- ESRB
-
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Alcohol Reference, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
-
Ratata Arts, TVT Co. Ltd.
- Publisher(s)
-
Game Source Entertainment
- Engine
-
Theory Engine
