|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous Page
Best viewed in 1280x1024 with Internet Explorer 6.x
|
'Rare's next-gen project ... finally'
 Developer: Rare
Publisher: Microsoft
Category: : adventure
Official Site
Platform: XBox360
Might look like: /
Date posted: 12 September 2006 (Updated !)
Written By: Nathar
We also test other games on
"PlayDevil.com Game Machine"
Finally released
After many console jumps ranging from the Gamecube, Xbox, and finally the Xbox 360, it can be said that this game has definitely made its rounds through the game industry.
Though after six years of teasing gamers, developer Rare has finally released the long awaited “Kameo: Elements of Power” to the Xbox 360.
Now, after many delays and subsequent six years of extra game development, have the people at Rare created a solid and memorable game filled with an amazing story, outstanding gameplay, and beautiful graphics?
Not really, but they were very close to say the least.
Kameo and Kaylus
Well to start things off, “Kameo: Elements of Power” begins its story with a bit of sibling rivalry.
The Queen of the Enchanted Kingdom (in which the story takes place), is due to pass on the power of self transformation to one of her two daughters; Kameo or her older sister Kaylus.
To the surprise of many, the Queen decides to pass on the power to the young Kameo.
This sends Kaylus, her older sister and thought to be heir to the kingdom and supposed recipient to the transformation power, into a jealous frenzy that ultimately leads her to release the powerful Troll King, Thorn from a cursed imprisonment that has held him for many generations.
The Elemental Warriors
Now, after all that drama is over with, you are thrown into the mix of things and are tasked with retrieving ten elemental warriors.
These elemental warriors are scattered throughout the land and hold the key to defeating the evil Troll King.
With the help of a magical talking book, the Wotnot, you are guided around the land in search of the missing elemental warriors. All while trying to prevent the total destruction of your kingdom and saving the lives of your Ancestors.
Hmm. That doesn’t sound like a lot of pressure now does it.
The first thing you may realize about this game is how it may resemble a little known game called “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” for the Nintendo 64. This is due to the fact that “Kameo” borrows such elements as an open environment that boasts elemental temples as well as a trusty horse whom you ride in order to get around from place to place. Can anyone say Epona?
Besides these facts, as you can already tell the main character, Kameo has the ability to transform into ten legendary elemental warriors. Within this game, these transformations are everything when it comes to progressing further or reaching new areas previously unattainable.
The use of the transformation ability in “Kameo” has to be one of the better uses of transformation seen in any game so far.
The ability to transform is utilized effectively and each different elemental warrior you transform into provides a wide range of diversity as well as changing the way you may approach a certain situation depending on which form you decide to use.
  
As you progress through the game you must solve a number of different puzzles along the way.
These puzzles rely heavily on your ability to effectively make use of the wide variety of powers each of you elemental forms holds. This could include using your dragon form (Ash) to spit fire and melt a block of ice containing a lever, or using your rock form (Rubble) to activate a weight sensitive lock.
Each puzzle is simple and sometimes a little easy to get through. Though some other puzzles found later on can only be solved by using a combination of a few of your forms’ abilities in rapid succession to complete them.
Switching between elemental forms and using their powers may sound like a chore, but it is made easy by the surprisingly simple control scheme of the game.
First off, the X, Y, and B buttons are used as to transform into your elemental warriors.
In the status screen you assign one of your elemental forms to each of these three buttons. Then with just a press of that button you instantly transform into the form assigned. Next the A button is a case sensitive button as usual and can be used to talk, pick up, or pull a lever.
Now in order to attack you use the shoulder buttons. Each Shoulder button represents a different attack or ability that changes from one form to the next.
Sounds easy doesn’t it. That’s because it is.
Those baddies
Now onto the baddies of the game. The majority of the enemies you will face in the game will be Trolls who relentlessly carry out the orders of their King Thorn.
Here the enemy AI is intuitive, but it is not great. The enemies do not strategically flank you from behind while your back is turned.
Instead, the enemies come at you head on and without hesitation. Most of the time you can easily dispatch a small group of enemies with little effort.
Though the bosses found in the game are a little different. They take a little finesse to defeat them. Only certain elemental forms can defeat certain bosses, so in boss battles it is more of a strategic fight then just using brute force. The bosses can be tough and not using the right form against the right boss can prove disastrous.
With all this the boss battles are exciting and are a welcome reprieve from the mindless bashing of semi-smart Trolls who mindlessly run straight at you.
  
Though the real trouble begins when the enemies gather together in the hundreds and swarm you with everything they have.
These fun filled moments in the game are few ... yet satisfying. At key moments in the game you are tasked with defeating a large portion of the Troll army that is blocking a path, or you must defend an area against wave after wave of enemy trolls.
These large scale battles are epic and truly add to the overall conflict and dire threat the Trolls pose to the kingdom.
The massive battles also nicely show off the power of the Xbox 360 with having so many characters on screen at once.
Graphics & Sound
Speaking of the power of the Xbox 360, the visuals of “Kameo: Elements of Power” are stunning.
Every character, structure, or even a blade of grass are a sight to behold. Each is polished in such detail that they seem as they all have a life of their own. The world of “Kameo” is rich and beautiful in which you may actually find yourself looking over the countryside in amazement and awe.
Though during the epic battle sequences the frame rate tends to drop in a few instances, but hey when you got hundreds of enemies on screen at once, you seem to overlook this minor nuisance.
To go along with the stunning visuals, ‘”Kameo” also includes and impressive audio track. From the small touches of flames crackling and bugs buzzing around to the remarkable orchestral music; the audio touches to ‘Kameo’ are top notch.
Each sound contributes greatly to the overall ambiance of the game. So much so you feel as if you are actually a part of the world of “Kameo.”
Conclusion
What else can be said about this game? “Kameo: Elements of Power” is a solid game from developer Rare, and it is a very good beginning to the growing catalogue of Xbox 360 games.
From the stunning visuals and sound, the easy controls and intriguing storyline, as well as the co-op missions for you and a friend. This game has a lot to offer.
Though the frame rate issues and rather short length (lasting only about 10 hours) bog this game down from being a truly amazing adventure. Though with that said “Kameo” is a memorable game experience.
Therefore hopefully in the years to come there will be a sequel that further builds upon the Kameo Universe, and help perpetuate “Kameo” into the great series it could become.
-Nathar
Ratings
Manual:
83 % |
Graphics:
94% |
Music & Sfx:
92% |
GamePlay:
88% |
|
This game scores
on our 5-point Rating System
Up
Previous Page
If you want to review your favorite game, or if you work with a computer game company and want your products reviewing, mail info@playdevil.com.
All contributions are welcome.
Join Video Game Network Exchange
Any problems and/or suggestions are always appreciated on
webmaster@playdevil.com
Nothing of this entire Site, animation & logo's included, may be reproduced, stored, saved, transmitted, in any form or means, electronic, written or otherwise without the prior permission of PlayDevil.
Other Logos & Names are Copyrighted Material of its respectful owners.
All Rights Reserved.
PlayDevil Productions © 199/8-199/9-200/0-200/1-200/2-200/3-200/4-200/5-200/6
"rip your own stuff"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)