Patapon 2 -- the sequel to last year's IGN PSP Game of the Year -- and the rhythm-based strategy game is still cute, addictive, and fun. However, when I came into the office today I was overjoyed to find the official box art for the game and the official fact sheet from Sony. Up until now, the previews on IGN have been limited to the first moments of the game, and that's kind of given the impression that not much has changed in the game.
That impression is dead wrong, according to this fact sheet.
The first thing that jumped off the page for me, a confirmed Patapon fanboy, is the ability to create your Patapon Hero. Not much is listed under this bullet point, but it does state that the hero will be a "prized fighter" that you can customize to fit your fighting style and that you can unlock new abilities by mixing weapons and Patapon Hero masks. On top of that, the fact sheet lists three new Patapons for you to control. Toripons are flying-bird riders, Robopons are mech warriors, and Mahopons are magicians. Accompanying the new characters are new miracles, the ability for your tribe to evolve, and three new commands -- jump, power up, and party.
This title's going to boast more than 80 missions, 22 bosses, double the amount of weapons and equipment that was in the first game and support for four-player multiplayer via Game Sharing. Sweet dreams of Patapon 2 are going to torture us until it's released sometime around spring/summer of 2009. Until then, we'll keep you posted on what's happening with the game.
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