System: Sony PSP

Publisher: Sony

Reviewer’s rating: ***

ESRB rating: Everyone

Game type: Rhythm-action

Kind of like: “LocoRoco”

Best feature: French artist Rolito’s stylish visuals are equal parts cartoon and cave painting.

Worst feature: No multiplayer support.

The bottom line: Who says all the good ideas have been taken? “Patapon” is proof positive there’s still a creative spark left in the video game industry, where cookie-cutter products incessantly roll out on an assembly line with all the inventiveness of a paper clip.

Sure, you can call “Patapon” a rhythm-action game. But it’s also a 2-D side-scrolling platformer, and tosses in elements most associated with real-time strategy and role-playing games. In short, it’s hard to categorize — and that’s a good thing.

The game tears down the “fourth wall” and puts you in the role of a deity, worshipped by a tribe of warriors — basically, eyeballs with arms and legs — who need your help to reclaim their homeland from enemy forces. You lead the fight by issuing “orders,” beating out different rhythms on a set of four battle drums — hence the name “Patapon” (sounds like “pat upon").

One rhythm means “attack.” Another means “defend.” There are also rhythms for “advance,” “retreat” and more. Flawlessly stringing together combos goes a long way toward helping your warriors achieve victory. And as you progress, strategy becomes key.