To the beat of the drums

Patapon marches onto PSP February 2008.

A truly original game with extremely broad appeal, Patapon blends strategy, rhythm and an iconic graphical style into a highly addictive new gaming experience for PSP. Using simple rhythms, tapped out on drums, you command a whole civilisation of tiny warriors.

You play the role of a deity, The Almighty, who must lead your Patapon followers through a variety of different missions including hunting, rescuing and invading. Before each mission, you equip your Patapon with a variety of different items and weapons that will help them achieve their objective. The key to success is striking the right balance between the differently equipped Patapon and, of course, tapping out the right beats on your drums.

Patapon only respond to the beat of a drum, and to get them to do anything, you need to beat out a specific command to a rhythm. Each of the four PSP action buttons makes a different beat and it's down to you to combine them into commands that translate into orders such as attack, defend, advance and retreat. As you progress, you'll learn new drum patterns that will allow you to perform fantastical miracles for the tribe.

The Patapon are on the march and arriving on PSP February 2008. Is that the sound of drums? PATA, PATA, PATA, PON!