Just like the world’s slowest boomerang, Kao the Kangaroo has returned to PlayStation after almost 20 years. The collection 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 doable, this appears like a long-lost PS2 title from 2004. That is each an excellent and a foul factor.
At its core, Kao the Kangaroo is an entertaining, easy 3D platformer. It is all about exploring ranges in quest of 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 degree in flip, attempting to finish every one 100 per cent. One might argue its design is archaic, and that is kind of true, nevertheless it 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 truly 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 huge hub areas, unlocked by gathering Runes. Kao has a three-hit combo, a extra highly effective strike after dealing sufficient harm, a dodge roll, double soar, butt stomp — it is so by-the-numbers, you will marvel should you’ve travelled again in time.
Nonetheless, whereas its old-school sensibilities are pleasing, some elements really feel dated in a much less fascinating manner. For instance, the writing, voice performing, and animation work are all questionable. The script is long-winded and filled with outdated references (Duke Nukem and Skyrim, anybody?), the voice actors sound not sure about the entire thing, and cutscenes really feel stilted.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 a number of small annoyances that construct up. Sure mechanics simply really feel a little bit sloppy. Kao’s gloves may be imbued with powers like hearth or ice, which you should utilize to open up pathways and resolve primary puzzles. This can be a respectable sufficient thought, however typically the gloves shall be fiery after 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 laborious to inform which our bodies of water are protected to stroll by means of, some obstacles are laborious to see, there’s common texture pop-in, music may minimize out, and so forth. None of these items are significantly egregious on their very own, however sadly the sport’s tough edges current themselves typically, in a method or one other.
Redeeming Kao the Kangaroo considerably are its visuals and music. The artwork model is vivid, clear, and cartoonish, not one million miles away from Spyro: Reignited Trilogy. Other than some aforementioned iffy animation, the sport seems pretty, and it runs at a near-constant 60 frames-per-second. Mixed with a delightful soundtrack that units the tone properly, you might have a sport that appears and sounds fairly good. It is a disgrace that the general presentation is ropey, although — issues like awkward scene transitions, sometimes jerky digicam actions, and bland UI make the sport really feel a little bit undercooked.
The factor is, despite the fact that it falls a little bit quick in quite a few areas, we did nonetheless take pleasure in enjoying. Kao the Kangaroo is doing one thing proper, as a result of beneath all the issues, it is basically respectable. 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 huge 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 in the end succeeds in delivering a enjoyable, breezy 3D platformer for followers of the collection. It manages to evoke emotions of nostalgia regardless of being a model new title with its easy gameplay and vibrant worlds. It does collapse beneath fashionable scrutiny, nevertheless it nearly will get away with it, because of its harmlessly old-school method.