Well, lets face it, anyone who plays this game has got to get Patapon FEVER!!!!!
As the Patapons journey to the ends of earth for reasons only these biped eyeballs understand, they face a myriad of story-based missions, like destroying the homes of their arch-enemy, the Zigotons. The whole way through, their ears will be tuned to the drumbeat of the almighty deity (you). But this isn't like DDR or Guitar Hero, where you're told which buttons to push and you just need time to execute them right. Instead, you are given four-button sequences (which you have to memorize) for commands like move, attack, and dodge which you have to decide which or when to use them.
So, say your fighting a fire-breathing dragon, you could dodge his flame attacks and wait until he is weak to attack (imagine an action game, but you have four "weapons" to use against them, but you have to fuse the weapons to make them stronger and execute something). This rhythm-based command system feels fluid and well-executed. And after a brief leaning curve, you should be able to lead your Patapons on hunts, rescue missions, and skirmishes without a hitch.
But even with Patapon's polished mechanics, the real beauty of the game lies in the special little touches Japan Studio included. Features like interactive backgrounds- in one mission, coins and compliments shower you for the rest of the mission if you save a star-and weather effects like wind, rain, and lightning, all have effect on gameplay, and some are even controllable. And why not? You are a god after all.
The Patapons themselves are a charming cast. If you tap a rhythm right on the beat of the music, they'll sing with more enthusiasm and ferocity, toss their weapons up, jump in the air, and dance. But if you miss a note, they might fall to the ground and say "Wet myself" or "I wanna go home" to communicate their dismay.
Patapon may indeed be a game so unusual, its marching to it own beat, but Japan Studio did such a phenomenal job tying together the control, music, and art direction that we recommend grooving right along with that wondrous, delightful beat.