Complete Beginner's Guide to Ratatan

What is Ratatan?

Alright, let me break this down for you. If you've ever played Patapon on the PSP back in the day, Ratatan is basically its spiritual successor - made by the exact same team. The core idea is simple but incredibly addictive: you command an army of cute little creatures called Cobun by inputting rhythm commands to the beat of the music. Hit the right buttons at the right time, and your army marches forward, attacks, defends, or retreats. Miss the beat, and everything falls apart.

What makes Ratatan different from Patapon is the roguelike layer on top. Every run through the world of Redo is different. You pick up new weapons, skills, and Cobun along the way. When you die (and you will), you start over but with new knowledge about enemy patterns and better strategies. It's that loop of "one more run" that keeps you hooked at 2 AM.

Rhythm Command Basics

This is the heart of the game, so pay attention. Ratatan uses a four-beat rhythm system. You input commands by pressing buttons in time with the music - there's a visual metronome at the bottom of the screen that shows you exactly when to press.

Here's how it works in practice:

• Pata Pata Pata Pon (advance) - Your Cobun march forward. This is your bread and butter movement command.
• Pon Pon Pata Pon (attack) - Your Cobun unleash their weapons. Timing this right before enemies reach you is key.
• Chaka Chaka Pata Pon (defend) - Your Cobun raise shields and take reduced damage. Essential for surviving boss attacks.
• Pon Pata Pon Pata (retreat) - Pull back! Sometimes the best move is running away to regroup.

Your First Run

When you first start the game, you'll go through a tutorial that teaches the basic rhythm commands. Don't skip it - even if you've played Patapon before, Ratatan has some differences in how commands feel that you need to get used to.

After the tutorial, you'll pick your first Ratatan (more on that below) and set out on your first run through Redo. Here's what to expect:

1. Stage 1-1 is basically an extended tutorial with easy enemies. Use this to practice your rhythm timing.
2. Between stages, you'll get to choose rewards - new weapons, Cobun types, or Melodium upgrades. Early on, prioritize weapons and Cobun count.
3. Stage 1-3 is your first mini-boss. Don't panic - just keep your rhythm and defend when it attacks.
4. Stage 1-5 is the world boss. If you've been keeping your Cobun alive and hitting FEVER consistently, you should be fine.

Cobun Management

Cobun are your army, your lifeblood, your everything in this game. They start as wild Chorus - fish-shaped creatures roaming the world - and transform into loyal warriors when your Ratatan grants them a Medama (an eye). Here's what you need to know:

• More Cobun = More Power: A bigger army means more damage output and more bodies to absorb hits. Always try to recruit Chorus you encounter.
• Cobun Inherit Traits: Your Cobun take on characteristics of their Ratatan master. A Gagarumba's Cobun will be more aggressive, while Harigitan's Cobun are tankier.
• Protect Your Cobun: Dead Cobun don't come back during a run. If you lose too many before a boss fight, you're in serious trouble. Use defend commands when enemies telegraph big attacks.
• Cobun Types Matter: Different weapons create different Cobun types - swordsmen, archers, shield-bearers, etc. A balanced mix is usually best for beginners.

FEVER Mode Explained

This is where Ratatan goes from "fun rhythm game" to "absolutely incredible." When you maintain a perfect rhythm combo for long enough, your entire squad enters FEVER mode. Here's what happens:

• The background music shifts to an intensified version - it's honestly hype every single time
• Your Cobun erupt into wild dance moves (yes, really - it's adorable and powerful)
• Attack power gets a massive boost
• Your Ratatan Skill charges faster
• In multiplayer, if everyone hits FEVER at the same time, the combined effect is absolutely devastating

The key to maintaining FEVER is consistency. One missed beat drops your combo and you lose FEVER. Practice the rhythm until it becomes muscle memory. Once you can reliably hit FEVER, the game opens up completely - bosses that seemed impossible become manageable, and those tight encounters where you're surrounded suddenly turn in your favor.

Choosing Your First Ratatan

You have four Ratatan to choose from, each with a distinct playstyle. For your first playthrough, I'd recommend either Harigitan or Gagarumba:

• Gagarumba (Agitator) - Best for aggressive players. His megaphone skill buffs your whole team while debuffing enemies. Great for learning because you can brute-force through mistakes with raw damage.
• Harigitan (Defender) - Best for cautious players. Shield skills protect your Cobun and counter-attack. More forgiving if you mess up your rhythm because your army takes less damage.
• Myadora (Assassin) - High risk, high reward. Can obliterate single targets but requires good positioning. Not recommended for beginners because one wrong move leaves you exposed.
• Mimisnipe (Sniper) - Focuses on weak points from range. Good for players who like to hang back and strategize, but requires knowledge of enemy weak points that beginners won't have yet.

Combat Tips for Beginners

After putting in way too many hours into this game, here are the combat tips I wish I knew from the start:

1. Position your Ratatan wisely. Unlike Patapon, you can freely move your Ratatan independently of the army. Stand behind your Cobun line to stay safe, or move up to use your Melodium skill at close range.
2. Watch enemy attack patterns. Every enemy telegraphs their attacks. When you see them wind up, switch to defend. When they recover, switch to attack.
3. Don't waste your Ratatan Skill. It charges over time and through combat, but it's not unlimited. Save it for tough encounters or boss phases rather than blowing it on the first group of enemies you see.
4. Retreat is not failure. If you're overwhelmed, pull back with Pon Pata Pon Pata. Regroup, let your Cobun recover, and advance again. Stubbornness kills more runs than anything else.
5. Learn the music. Each world has its own track with its own rhythm. After a few runs, you'll start to feel the beat naturally, and your inputs will become automatic.

Roguelike Progression

Each run through Redo is procedurally generated, meaning the stages, enemies, and rewards change every time. Between stages, you'll choose from reward options that shape your build for that run:

• Weapons change your Cobun type and attack patterns. A sword creates melee Cobun, a bow creates archers, etc.
• Melodium Upgrades enhance your Ratatan Skill - faster charge, bigger area of effect, longer duration.
• Cobun Recruits add more soldiers to your army. Always consider these if your numbers are low.
• Passive Items provide ongoing bonuses like faster movement, increased defense, or auto-healing.

The beauty of the roguelike system is that even a "failed" run teaches you something. You learn a boss's attack pattern, discover a weapon combo that works, or figure out which rewards are worth picking. Next run, you're a little bit smarter, a little bit better.

Multiplayer Basics

Ratatan supports up to 4 players online, and it's a completely different experience from solo play. Here's what you need to know:

• Each player controls their own Ratatan and Cobun army
• All armies share the screen, creating massive battles with 100+ characters
• Combined FEVER mode is the most powerful tool in the game
• You need Open or Moderate NAT type for stable connections
• Communication is key - use voice chat if possible to coordinate FEVER timing

Common Beginner Mistakes

I made all of these mistakes, so you don't have to:

1. Ignoring the rhythm and just mashing buttons. This doesn't work. Your inputs need to be on beat or they don't count properly.
2. Neglecting defense. Attack feels good, but defend saves lives. Use Chaka Chaka Pata Pon when enemies are about to hit.
3. Letting Cobun die unnecessarily. Every lost Cobun weakens your army. Protect them like the precious little soldiers they are.
4. Using Ratatan Skills on easy fights. Save them for bosses or when you're truly in trouble.
5. Not retreating when outmatched. Pride kills more runs than skill issues. Fall back, regroup, try again.
6. Skipping the tutorial. Even if you played Patapon, Ratatan has enough differences that the tutorial is worth your time.
7. Picking Myadora first. The assassin is cool but unforgiving. Start with Gagarumba or Harigitan and switch once you're comfortable.