update · December 6, 2024
Ratatan Update 1 Details Alpha Feedback and February 2025 Beta Plans
Ratatan developer outlines results from its 500-player alpha test and details major upcoming changes for the February 2025 beta, including rhythm adjustments and weapon crafting.
Following the completion of a closed alpha test with 500 backers, the Ratatan development team has detailed its findings and laid out plans for a broader beta release in February 2025.
Alpha Test Results and Feedback
The 500-player alpha test yielded 127 survey responses, resulting in a 96 percent favorable rating despite reported multiplayer glitches and rough edges. The development team is using this data to address design flaws across three main response guidelines: removing absurdities, reducing incomprehensibility, and improving the rhythm command experience.
Rhythm and Combat Adjustments
Hermit's beam attack and other major moves are now timed precisely to the rhythm. The rigidity of rhythm command inputs is more forgiving, and failing an input now allows players to re-enter commands starting from the next musical bar. Ratatans will also receive unique abilities that buff specific inputs, while troop skills for Cobun units gain distinct effects like destroying forts or canceling enemy actions.
Interface and Crafting Improvements
The craft menu now features a dismantling option to convert unwanted weapons back into crafting materials. Material items in inventory now display explicit descriptions of their uses, and enhancement menus clearly list required item types and quantities. The user interface also features clearer MP requirements for troop skills, store item hover tooltips, and visual proximity guides for interactable objects and NPCs.
Beta and Steam Next Fest Plans
The team is preparing a beta test for February 2025 that will open to all beta access holders and feature content up to Stage 3. Developers are also organizing a demo for Steam Next Fest in February, though they are currently figuring out how to balance the demo build with the ongoing beta test.
Why this patch matters
Ratatan's first development update balances transparent alpha feedback with concrete quality-of-life adjustments, setting up a tighter rhythm-action experience for the February beta.