Patapon
I thought that the Pokemon makers switched camps when I first saw Patapon. After all, the main characters, also called Patapon, are cute tribal critters with eyes for bodies, much like the Pokemon named Unknown. But play the game a little, and you'll find the gameplay a big departure from battling monsters to level up or throwing balls at creatures to capture them. And this game is by the developers of that insanely cute and bubbly PSP game, LocoRoco, not Pokemon. You're the Almighty, a god-like entity that guides these Patapon as they fight against the evil Zigotons and quest to the Earthend to see It, whatever It may be. It's quite simple. You thump out a chain of four buttons, creating a drum beat that commands your Patapon army to perform a task. For example, you'd ask them to chase retreating enemies, before attacking. If you miss a beat, your troops would just sit around and do nothing. So, it's very important to have a sense of rhythm, or you'll just let your cutesy warriors get beaten silly by their enemies, or in later stages, even burnt alive by the environment. This game is not child's play - some of the later stages are so difficult, one missed beat could well decimate your whole army. Do it well, however, and your Patapon troops enter a frenzied fever. Additional troops can be purchased with Ka-Ching, the currency you earn in your journeys. Different Patapon types provide variety - some fire projectiles at the enemy and some are melee warriors. Others simply rush towards the foe. What's more, you are also expected to know when to attack and defend, and how to position your troops. For example, your ranged guys are usually at the back, while your hardier melee troops are in front. So Patapon turned out to be a music game with strategy elements thrown in. It isn't as simple to pick up as their cousin LocoRoco, but folks who are interested in yet another quirky combination of genres - and tending to their own army of cuteness - will grow to love Patapon.