Product Info

Platform

Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PC

Publisher

Game Source Entertainment

Developer

Ratata Arts, TVT Co. Ltd

Genre

Music

Players

1 (1-4 online)

File Size (Minimum)

1.7 GB

Release Date (NA)

Sep 19, 2025

Purchase From

eShop

PSN Store

Microsoft Store

Steam

Home » Ratatan (Review)

Ratatan is an entertaining rhythm roguelike game that blends rhythm and action in this side-scrolling title that works really well even with some sour notes.

Tuning the Instrument

You awaken on a lively toy box-like island called Rataport. On this island animal-like creatures called Ratatan are searching to go to “The Everafter” and meet “The Goddess.” As you embark on your journey, enemies await you. Feel the beat and use rhythm sequences in time to take out these unwanted foes.

The game’s story doesn’t overtake the overall gameplay, as it sets up the basic structure of the characters’ goal. The gameplay itself is what drives this game forward. Small dialogues will appear intermittently during your time at the game’s headquarters. Think of it like the New Super Mario Bros. games, where there’s an opening, dialogue in-between, and an ending. Focusing on the gameplay so players can jump in at any time.

A Rhythmical Time

Created by the key creators of Patapon, another rhythm adventure game from the 2000s, it uses catchy tunes that’ll make you hum along with its cute and fun visuals. If you are familiar with Patapon, then you’ll recognize a lot of similar traits between the two.

Players will control a Ratatan, which in turn controls your Cobuns, little warriors that handle the offensive actions for you. While you can move your character side-to-side and jump, you cannot attack. You’re required to utilize the rhythm sequences to input specific commands to initiate a move. At the bottom of your screen, there’s a music bar with single lines that indicate when to prompt your command. When entered correctly, your army will attack. Your team will wait for your command and will not perform if you don’t input it correctly. In the middle of battle, a mistake can cause the fight to turn in the enemy’s favor. I found that executing commands in Ratatan is relatively straightforward, but making the right choice between offense and defense during intense combat can be challenging. When the screen is filled with characters battling, the music bar is positioned low enough to ensure it doesn’t get lost among the animated visuals. The constant moving bar that indicates when you should begin your prompt glows in bright rainbow colors to pop up on the screen. Additionally, the moving colorful line comes far to the left of the music bar. Players are given time to prepare while they try to move their Ratatan out of the way of enemy attacks.

There are three lines to initiate a command for your army in these ways: attack, special attack, guard, and jump. Attacks are your basic offense that you can rely on. Special attacks consume magic points (MP) but can significantly damage the enemy. If you run out of MP and still input the command correctly, your army will not perform an attack, so players need to be cautious of what’s available. Jump works well against boss fights that create heavy ground attacks. Defense lowers the amount of damage. The commands aren’t difficult to initiate once you go through a couple of rounds, and if you need assistance, they are displayed on the screen through your adventure.

Input your commands to land either a “Good” or “Just!” and it will fill the “Fever” bar at the top of the screen.  A “Bad” will ignore filling the gauge. Once filed, the bar animates in a festive-like motion, giving you a team stat boost, unique animations, and energetic music playing in the background. Fill the bar past Fever to “Super Fever”; you can perform a special attack from your Ratatan once unlocked after a play or two in the campaign. These vary between which Ratatan you choose. For example, your Ratatan can shoot musical notes to damage foes, based on the direction you are facing. Others can boost stats for a short time window. Once used, the Fever bar is completely depleted.

I found myself heavily relying on the Fever bar during challenging boss battles and enemies flooding my screen, pushing back my army. The experience was nothing but positive, as I focused on entering commands and preventing my Ratatan from taking damage. The various Ratatans are enjoyable and offer enough differences among them for players to experiment and find what best suits their style. Depending on what Ratatan you use, your Cobuns will equip specific weapons, such as bows, wands, swords, etc. Your Ratatan also provides different stat boosts to your team.

Try, Try, Again

What makes Ratatan feel different from Patapon is the flair of its roguelike gameplay. Players will start from their journey and continue until they reach their goal, are defeated in battle, or quit. Battlefields are divided into sections, and you get a prize at the end based on your pre-entry choice. You’ll have intermissions for a breather before battles that can consist of healing stations, shops, power-ups, and more.

Power-ups are rewarded to increase stats, elemental powers, and more. Visually they are treated like playing cards with labels like “common,” “epic,” and “legendary.” However, after your journey ends, you’ll lose these power-ups. Journeys also begin anew, so prepare to face these boss battles repeatedly as they become increasingly difficult the further you progress.

Despite my numerous short runs, the game’s award system encourages me to keep coming back. Players can take the weapons, accessories, and dropped items (donuts, candy, monster parts) to exchange for other items or increase your weapon’s level for your Cobuns. Items such as donuts, candy, and chocolate bars can be used to improve gameplay runs. For example, if you perish, you can come back to life. All upgrades and swapping Ratatans are done at the game’s headquarters.

It’s challenging in its own unique way but gives enough back to make you come back for more. With its fun visuals, catchy music, and interesting gameplay mechanics, Ratatan is a fun title to play that’ll fly under gamers’ radars.

The game does offer online cross-play co-op, but during the review on the PlayStation 5, the opportunity to test it was not available. On launch, Steam, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 players will have the opportunity to play together with up to four players. PlayStation 5 players will have the opportunity to play with the others but won’t be available until after launch.

While playing on the PlayStation 5 Pro, the game’s framerate has shown dips when transitioning between entering battlefields and roaming around in the headquarters. The game’s framerate could also use a boost for a much smoother animation to give it that more fluid look. It’s difficult to say how the game will fare during multiplayer runs, but players should be aware dips can occur. For those wanting local co-op, Ratatan unfortunately doesn’t offer that option.

Turn it Up!

Not only do we have the original creators of Patapon, but the game’s soundtrack also consists of members from the same game. Kemmei Adachi (Patapon, LocoRoco, Gran Turismo) returns to compose the game’s energetic and infectious soundtrack.

What kind of rhythm game doesn’t have a solid soundtrack? Ratatan delivers a joyful set of tunes that makes adventuring fun. With its colorful illustrations and upbeat tracks, Ratatan is a delightful adventure for all to experience.

The Final Beat

Ratatan strikes the right note with its catchy soundtrack, colorful visuals, and entertaining rhythm-based combat, all wrapped in a roguelike adventure. A few sour notes stop it from being perfect, but there are plenty of reasons to march to its beat.

An PlayStation 5 code was provided by the publisher for this review. Ratatan launches on October 15, 2026 for the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The game is available now for the PC (Steam).