I started debating the highly-regarded PSP game “Patapon” with Newsweek’s N’Gai Croal early last week.

We thought we’d be done by now.

Today we are.

In our first exchange we both praised the game, but I went off on my feelings about gamer guilt and why so many games make me feel guilty for playing all or even just select parts of them.

In N’Gai’s e-mail below he explains the the three types of video game imperfections, complains about the game’s grind and suggests a few ways to “Patapon” better.

And then I defend grinding in games. Really, I do.

So when we last left off I asked N’Gai: “Do you ever feel any of that gamer guilt?” He answers below…

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Back for your Monday morning procrastinating is a new Vs. Mode, the monthly series of arguments between me and Newsweek’s N’Gai Croal. This time, we tackle PSP rhythm-war game “Patapon.”

Slight problem: we both really liked this game.

Never fear, however. I think we’ve got some stuff in here that will provoke you.

• N’Gai lays out the three things that make the game special for him: The Power of Indirect Control, The Importance of Feel, And The Thrill of Iconic Design. And he wonders what it means that he was obsessed with the game for 21 days in the winter but doesn’t think about it at all anymore.
• I proclaim that “Patapon” is nifty and doesn’t make me feel guilty, stating that “Devil May Cry 4,” “Pursuit Force 2” and most other games I’ve played do make me feel guilt. “Patapon,” sweet “Patapon,” does not.

Did you say you want criticism of video games, something meaty, something that isn’t just a graphics/audio/gameplay review. With Vs. Mode we try to give you that.

Here’s a quote from my letter for everyone to chew on:

How many games do we not have to apologize for when recommending them to others? How often do we have to say not to mind the character design or the dialogue or the music or the controls or something else? How many did we in some way suffer? Is the high tolerance for imperfection not unique to gamers, at least to the extent we have to suck it up and try not to be bothered by the bad parts — or, if you’re like me, feel guilty that we spent time with things so full of bad parts?

What follows is Round One of Vs Mode: “Patapon”… (You can read it below or on N’Gai’s “Level Up” blog. Round two follows late this week)

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