Game Details
| Size | 314 MB |
| Region | USA |
| Genre | Rhythm, Strategy |
| Format | 7z / ISO |
| Year | April 12, 2011 |
| Console | PSP |
Patapon 3 (2011) is the grand finale of the rhythm-action trilogy on the PSP. It took a massive departure from the “army simulator” feel of the first two games, shifting instead toward an RPG-style hero system. It’s darker, deeper, and significantly more complex, focusing on a small squad of elite warriors rather than a massive horde.
The Story: The Fall and Rise
The game begins immediately after Patapon 2. While crossing a bridge, the Patapons open a mysterious chest that petrifies the entire army, leaving only the Hatapon (the flag bearer) alive.
From the wreckage, the Patapon Hosanna (the Uberhero) is born. You are no longer just a god in the sky; you are a legendary warrior on the battlefield, leading the three “Finest” Patapons to defeat the Seven Archfiends and save your people.
The Uberhero & The Classes
In Patapon 3, your main character (the Uberhero) can switch between several “Class Trees.” Each tree has its own unique Hero Mode (activated by a perfect rhythm during Fever).
The Three Main Tiers
| Class Tree | Focus | Iconic Hero |
| Shield (Taterazay) | Defense & Support | Grenburr (High damage, low speed) |
| Spear (Yarida) | Balanced Offense | Cannogabang (Heavy artillery/cannons) |
| Bow (Yumiyacha) | Long-Range / Status | Oohoroc (Powerful magic spells) |
The Rhythm Commands
The core gameplay remains the four-beat rhythm using the face buttons:
-
PATA PATA PATA PON (Square, Square, Square, Circle): March Forward
-
PON PON PATA PON (Circle, Circle, Square, Circle): Attack
-
CHAKA CHAKA PATA PON (Triangle, Triangle, Square, Circle): Defend
-
DON DON CHAKA CHAKA (X, X, Triangle, Triangle): Jump/Dodge
-
PATA PON DON CHAKA (Square, Circle, X, Triangle): Cleanse/Recover
Key New Features
-
The Hideout: Your hub world. Here you can upgrade weapons at the Blacksmith, engage in Multiplayer, and manage your team.
-
Summoning: Instead of Juju (weather miracles), you now have Djinn Summons. When the fever bar is maxed, you perform a “Don-Dodon-Dodon” rhythm to summon a giant entity that deals massive damage and grants temporary invincibility.
-
Set Skills & Class Skills: You can “inherit” skills from other classes. For example, a Spear hero can equip a Shield skill to become an offensive powerhouse with high survivability.
-
Multiplayer Focus: The game was designed for 4-player co-op. Many dungeons are incredibly difficult to solo and practically require a balanced team of four players.
Secrets & Tips
-
The “Perfect” Chest: Chest quality (Iron, Wooden, Silver, Gold, Jeweled) depends on the mission level and your performance. Jeweled chests (level 26+) are the only way to get Ultimate (Pink) gear.
-
The Dark Heroes: Throughout the game, you’ll be hunted by Dark Heroes who mirror your abilities. Defeating them in “Versus” or specific story missions is key to unlocking high-end loot.
-
Grass Farming: If you need to level up your Class Skills quickly, find a level with lots of grass and use a weapon with high “Fire” or “Burn” stats. Continuously hitting the grass counts as “actions” for skill progression.
Short Review: A Rhythmic Epic
The Good
-
Deep Progression: The RPG elements are incredibly satisfying. Seeing your Uberhero grow from a basic soldier to a god-slaying giant is a blast.
-
Visual Style: The silhouette-art style is more vibrant and detailed than ever, especially during Hero Mode animations.
-
Multiplayer: When played with friends, the coordination required for rhythm-based boss fights is one of the best experiences on the PSP.
The Bad
-
The Grind: The level curve is steep. You will find yourself replaying older missions many times to get the materials needed for upgrades.
-
Solo Difficulty: Some of the later dungeons (like the Tomb of Tolerance) are notoriously punishing for solo players.
-
Missing the “Army”: Fans of the first two games sometimes miss the feeling of controlling 20+ Patapons at once.
Screenshots
