Forgive the tautology but if you liked the original Patapon, chances are you are going to love Patapon 2. However, by the same token, if you were not smitten by Patapon’s unique and charming take on the rhythm genre, Patapon 2 is not going to win you over.

That isn’t to say that the game hasn’t been improved, but to say that not much has changed in the core gameplay. Gameplay mechanics might be explained much better in this version of Patapon, allowing players to get a firmer handle on some of the ins-and-outs of the game, but the end of the day you are still issuing three basic commands: Attack, defend and march forward. For the uninitiated, you issue these commands through rhythmic button presses done in 4/4 time. Each of the four face buttons represent a phrase—the square button equals “Pata”, triangle “Chaka”, circle “Pon, and X “Don”. For example, a combination of these such as three square button presses and a circle press makes your Patapon army march forward. You’ll issue that and the two other main commands over and over again through the numerous missions that Patapon 2 offers. While that might seem a little repetitive on the surface, for whatever reason, I never tired of singing along with my Patapon brethren. In fact, I quite enjoyed the sing-along.

However, Patapon 2 does suffer from a number of potentially crippling flaws—chiefly among them, having to grind and re-grind levels over and over again to obtain an item to evolve your different subsets of Patapons (there are five different main Patapon types). The evolution system in Patapon 2 forces you acquire different items from defeated enemies and animals, as well as buildings and structures that you destroy. After you’ve obtained enough of the items needed to evolve your individual Patapon, you’re set. The problem arises when you have a large number of Patapon’s—say, 24. Acquiring the materials to evolve your Patapon’s to a satisfactory state can force you to grind through the same levels three to five times, which isn’t the most appealing proposition in the world.

The other main flaw in Patapon is the inability to pause the game, which is completely puzzling for a portable game. I tend to personally not play my portable games when I’m out and about, but for those that would want something to play during a ride on public transportation—Patapon 2 is not the game to play. Most missions are small enough—three to seven minute affairs—but if you time it wrong and hit your stop, your only option is to put your PSP in to sleep mode and then pick up where you left off at a later date. Other rhythm games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band allow players to pause the game at any time—why not Patapon 2?

Despite the flaws, there is a whole lot to like about Patapon 2. The series’ trademark charm—the cute tribal Patapon characters and their odd sayings, (“Spank them bottoms!”) is something completely unique and memorable. There is also something to be said about the gameplay which sounds simplistic on paper, but beneath the surface, reveals a surprising layer of depth, strategy and difficulty. Even on the game’s easy mode I was getting trounced. However, subtle tweaks to the formation of my Patapons such as swapping my spear-throwing Yaripons for bow-and-arrow wielding Yumipons allowed me to plow through levels I was having trouble with just minutes before. Patapon 2 is also a fairly long title, clocking in at around 20-25 hours, so you’ll be getting a lot of game for the budget $20 asking price.

One of the other great things about Patapon 2 that deserves mentioning is the fantastic art style that is presented. You’ll march your Patapons through a number of different beautiful landscapes—snow, forest, beaches, snow mountains and more. Each of the levels are beautifully rendered, not so much in a technical sense, but in pure artistry. The original Patapon was also a visually treat because of the inspired character and enemy designs and it is no different in the sequel.

It all comes down to whether or not you can stomach the two major flaws with Patapon 2 or not. If you couldn’t deal with them the first time around, chances are you won’t be able to forgive them this time either. While this is a much more refined and all around better game than the first Patapon, it still remains with most of its flaws and gems still intact.

Verdict: 7/10