Genre
Action, Adventure, 3D- Platformer
Release Date
May 27th 2022
Publisher
Platforms
Xbox, PS, PC, Nintendo Switch
Kao the Kangaroo Review
Kao the Kangaroo sets out to find his missing sister and solve the mystery of what happened to his long-lost father. Players will join Kao as he picks up his magical boxing gloves and travels the world confronting famous fighting masters who are under the influence of something disturbing, but what?
Genre
Action, Adventure, 3D- Platformer
Release Date
May 27th 2022
Publisher
Platforms
Xbox, PS, PC, Nintendo Switch
Want to see some gameplay first?
Story
In Kao the Kangaroo, you must travel to different lands and battle masters of combat. These masters seem to be under the influence of a mysterious evil power, who wants to disrupt the balance. It’s up to Kao to free them and find out what is happening to them all.
While the story is not the most compelling, it’s the gameplay that shines through. The games mechanics are easy to get to grips with right away.
The gameplay is your typical 3D platformer affair, where Kao can climb and jump across multiple obstacles. He can also perform double jumps and swing from overhead vines/wires with his ears. While rolling will allow him to dodge attacks and dodge low hanging obstacles or traps. Kao can also thread shallow water to reach secret areas but be careful as deeper waters will kill him.
Combat
The combat is mixed with melee attacks and range attacks (thanks to a boomerang that can be picked up). Kao comes equipped with the Eternal Gloves that speak to him. These gloves give him the power to freeze water, burn inaccessible paths and more.
As Kao enters combat with enemies, he can fight them with his fists or whipping his tale around. As he fights, Kao as a Rage Meter that will fill up with each strike. Once the Rage Meter is full, Kao can discharge this rage with a powerful finishing attack. This attack will stun surrounding enemies or kill them, depending on their current state.
Kao can also do a Slam attack which is performed while in the air. This move will stun nearby enemies and allow him to attack freely. He can also perform his Tail whip while jump, which can remove flying enemies or reaching switches or destructible boxes.
Runes
To get through each of the levels, Kao will have to acquire Runes. These Runes will allow him to open new levels once a certain number of Runes are collected. You can collect them across the main areas in each level that can be traversed and collecting scrolls, coins and crystals and of course letters spelling out K-A-O.
Once you have completed all levels in an area, you will have collected enough Runes to unlock the boss battle area. These boss battles is where you must defeat and free one of these Legendary Masters.
Progression
As you unlock newer moves and powers, you can return to previous explored areas. Which you can then discover new pathways and collect more Runes to progress. Some pathways will offer more rewards like Heart fragments, crystals and coins or even Enteral Wells.
The coins you collected can be used at a trader to pick up extra lives or Heart fragments. Collecting or purchasing 4 Heart fragments will increase Kao’s overall health, which is represented by hearts. These traders also offer cosmetic items so you can change the appearance of Kao if you choose.
Visuals
Kao the Kangaroo’s visuals have a similar artistic style to that of Super Lucky’s tale or Crash Bandicoot. The levels are colourful and vibrant with the backdrops ranging from lush and beautiful rainforests to ice cold mountain ranges. The character models have a certain sentimental charm to them, a nod almost to our beloved platformers of old.
The soundtrack that accompanies the visuals is playful and soothing but ramps up ever so slightly during battles. Though the voice acting is slightly touch and go when viewing the cutscenes, with the interaction with other characters just involving text.
Kao likes to try and add a bit of humour along your adventure. With him saying some witty comments and even some pop culture references, like “it’s clobberin’ time!” and “Hello darkness, my old friend”. While nothing side splitting, it did put a smile on my face.
During my playthrough, Kao was a fun experience. However, I did experience some pop-in and some of the environments didn’t render correctly straight away. The camera from time to time would rotate behind the scenery in certain areas but can be resolved by moving the camera.
Overall
Kao the Kangaroo is a fun 3D platformer, and it will definitely appeal to a younger audience but also to fans of the platformer genre. The level designs are well thought out and you are free to explore each one. While there is a replay value to it, it will be down to how persistent you are in finding every collectible item on offer.
SSG Rating 8/10