Just like the world’s slowest boomerang, Kao the Kangaroo has returned to PlayStation after almost 20 years. The sequence made its arrival in the course of the early noughties, again when everybody wished a slice of the mascot platformer pie. This kangaroo with boxing gloves and a stretchy neck did not fairly attain the identical heights as his style stablemates, however the video games have a cult following all the identical, and this contemporary sequel is clearly for the followers.
We are saying that as a result of, in nearly each manner attainable, this seems like a long-lost PS2 title from 2004. That is each a superb and a nasty factor.
At its core, Kao the Kangaroo is an entertaining, easy 3D platformer. It is all about exploring ranges searching for collectables, beating up enemies with primary fight, and slowly unlocking new skills as you progress. By way of construction and gameplay, it is enjoyably easy, and evocative of these mid-2000s favourites. It is simply enjoyable barrelling by means of every stage in flip, attempting to finish every one 100 per cent. One may argue its design is archaic, and that is roughly true, but it surely undeniably carries a sure attraction.
Kao’s seek for his lacking relations leads him by means of vibrant jungles, lava-filled caves, and icy mountain temples — it is all fairly textbook, however in a sort-of comforting manner. It is predictable, and that is really fairly nostalgic. As you run and hop by means of every stage, you are looking out for letters spelling “KAO”, gems, coronary heart items, and all of the cash you may seize. Linear ranges department out from comparatively large hub areas, unlocked by gathering Runes. Kao has a three-hit combo, a extra highly effective strike after dealing sufficient injury, a dodge roll, double soar, butt stomp — it is so by-the-numbers, you may surprise in case you’ve travelled again in time.
Nonetheless, whereas its old-school sensibilities are fulfilling, some features really feel dated in a much less fascinating manner. For instance, the writing, voice appearing, and animation work are all questionable. The script is long-winded and stuffed with outdated references (Duke Nukem and Skyrim, anybody?), the voice actors sound not sure about the entire thing, and cutscenes really feel stilted.
Past that, there are additionally fairly just a few small annoyances that construct up. Sure mechanics simply really feel a bit of sloppy. Kao’s gloves could be imbued with powers like hearth or ice, which you should use to open up pathways and resolve primary puzzles. This can be a first rate sufficient thought, however generally the gloves will likely be fiery once they’re meant to be icy, for instance. Different small bugs and points come to the floor too; detection on ledge-grabbing is inconsistent, it may be onerous to inform which our bodies of water are secure to stroll by means of, some obstacles are onerous to see, there’s common texture pop-in, music would possibly lower out, and so forth. None of this stuff are significantly egregious on their very own, however sadly the sport’s tough edges current themselves usually, in a method or one other.
Redeeming Kao the Kangaroo considerably are its visuals and music. The artwork type is brilliant, clear, and cartoonish, not 1,000,000 miles away from Spyro: Reignited Trilogy. Except for some aforementioned iffy animation, the sport appears to be like beautiful, and it runs at a near-constant 60 frames-per-second. Mixed with a lovely soundtrack that units the tone properly, you’ve a sport that appears and sounds fairly good. It is a disgrace that the general presentation is ropey, although — issues like awkward scene transitions, often jerky digital camera actions, and bland UI make the sport really feel a bit of undercooked.
The factor is, despite the fact that it falls a bit of brief in quite a few areas, we did nonetheless get pleasure from enjoying. Kao the Kangaroo is doing one thing proper, as a result of beneath all the failings, it is essentially first rate. Throwing punches is satisfying, discovering collectables is enjoyable, and Kao himself is a responsive character to manage. As if the final 15 years by no means occurred, Tate Multimedia presents an actual time capsule of a sport, for higher and worse.
Conclusion
Kao the Kangaroo makes his large return in 2022, however the sport feels prefer it’s leapt straight out of PS2’s again catalogue. Regardless of many tough edges and old school design rules, it finally succeeds in delivering a enjoyable, breezy 3D platformer for followers of the sequence. It manages to evoke emotions of nostalgia regardless of being a model new title with its easy gameplay and vibrant worlds. It does collapse below trendy scrutiny, but it surely nearly will get away with it, because of its harmlessly old-school strategy.
