Fans of the PlayStation Portable classic rhythm game Patapon will have to wait a little longer for its spiritual successor, Ratatan. After providing a free demo on Steam in June, Ratata Arts decided to postpone the Early Access and final releases of Ratatan for the foreseeable future.
Designed by Patapon creator Hiroyuki Kotani, Ratatan is a roguelike rhythm action game that can be played solo or with up to four players through online multiplayer. As the leader of several Ratatan (strange creatures that feel the rhythm in their bones), it is your job to shepherd them to a mystical place called “The Everafter” using the power of music. Timing your inputs with the game’s catchy tracks will allow you to strengthen your Ratatans’ actions. From strategically repositioning units and attacking to more unique moves like hurling spears and bombs, your Ratatans will do different things depending on which items and power-ups you choose during your run. This roguelike element drastically increases Ratatan’s replayability and sets it apart from Patapon.
Ratatan’s Early Access release was initially set for July 25, 2025. Howevever, a free demo released in June prompted criticism regarding various aspects of the game, such as the tutorial and UI being difficult to understand and visuals and gameplay rewards being underwhelming. Players also requested better content structure of the game’s roguelike elements, pacing, and mid-term gameplay flow. As a result, the developers decided to allocate extra time to address Ratatan’s issues. While many studios see Early Access as a safety net that allows them to release a game while simultaneously working on it, Ratata Arts wants its players and Kickstarter backers to experience the best version of Ratatan from the get-go.
Speaking of Kickstarter, Ratata Arts is preparing to give backers extra rewards for sticking with them during these release postponements. Different tiers will receive appropriate compensation, with console backers getting additional rewards due to the longer wait for their Ratatan copies. Regardless of the tier, all backers will be able to play the Early Access version as soon as it is ready.
