Kao The Kangaroo Review (Steam)

We go from the demo preview to our Kao The Kangaroo Review , marvel again at Kao’s beautiful and bright world that is filled with a host of colorful characters just waiting to meet you… in some cases (try to) defeat them! From wise-mentors, inquisitive inventors to big old bullies, the cast of Kao The Kangaroo is as memorable as it is expansive!

Kao The Kangaroo Review Pros:

  • Decent graphics.
  • 1.51GB Download size.
  • Full controller support.
  • Graphics – fullscreen, resolution, v-sync, max fps, brightness slider, anti-aliasing, and graphic presets.
  • 3rd person action-platformer gameplay.
  • Good voicework.
  • Coins to collect.
  • You can grab onto ledges and pull yourself up.
  • Tutorial signs as you play.
  • In-game cutscenes.
  • Can skip the cutscenes.
  • Simple familiar controls.
  • Full 3D camera control.
  • Cool new enemy/character splash screen intro.
  • Checkpoints throughout the level.
  • Levels have a timer.
  • Boomerang totem pick up allows you to throw the boomerang to kill enemies or trigger platforms.
  • Strong platform game.
  • Three hearts then you respawn at checkpoints.
  • Loads of hidden areas.
  • Feels and plays a lot like Crash Bandicoot.
  • Collectibles – many types like the letters Kao, gems, coins, scrolls, etc.
  • Find extra lives.
  • The level layout will always have branching paths and alternative routes.
  • Treasure chests to find.
  • Satisfying meaty combat. With boxing gloves equipped you can smash the enemies up and charge up a cool slo-mo overhead smash.
  • Puzzle elements.
  • Double jump is standard and this allows you to get back out of trouble like falling in water.
  • End of level breakdown.
  • Kaopedia – fills in with details and art as you find and collect items, unlock new moves and meet new characters.
  • Scrolls can drop from enemies and this gives you lore about them.
  • Use jump and slam to hit buttons and stun enemies.
  • Each level is timed, has scrolls, letter, diamonds and coins to collect.
  • You can replay levels.
  • Simple yet effective grab and throw attack.
  • Kao – collect the three letters to speel Kao and get a bonus reward.
  • Expand your heart count by finding/buying four pieces of heart.
  • The Dojo acts like a hub with a shop and location selection.
  • Buy and equip new clothing.
  • Extra lives can be found and bought.
  • Break down doors and smash up houses for loot.

Kao The Kangaroo Review Cons:

  • Cannot rebind controls.
  • Not ideal for the keyboard and mouse.
  • Checkpoints are weird as it saves some progress before death like coins and breakables but not the gems.
  • Checkpoints are far apart.
  • Dying in a boss fight resets the fight.
  • Hard to judge jumps as the shadow of yourself is very weak/light.
  • A lot of the cutscenes just cold cut happen and ruin the flow.
  • Voice work sounds a bit cheese and forced in places.
  • Invisible walls in stupid places.
  • Never sure what water is too deep.
  • Slow down in places.
  • Checkpoints can be far apart.
  • Hit detection is a bit off with jumping or swinging enemies.
  • Never sure it has saved.
  • To get the good stuff in the shop it does require a lot of grinding.

Related Post: 

Kao The Kangaroo:

Official website.

Developer: Tate Multimedia

Publisher: Tate Multimedia

Store Links – 

Steam

Summary

Kao The Kangaroo is back! I remember briefly playing Kao on the Dreamcast back in the good old days, Didn’t really have anything to say about it as 3rd person games like this were dime a dozen. OK so Kao The Kangaroo is back and he’s been busy! The graphics are nice, the colors bright and a strong sense of humor, for me the awesome combat is what you come for as it just feels meaty and meaningful. The platforming around finding the many Collectibles is a huge draw and they do pump a lot of content into the game. I finished the demo in around half an hour and had 90 percent of the Collectibles it was a great trip as it felt modern yet had the retro atmosphere. Sfter playing the demo for a substantial amount of time, the thing that Kao does is manage to nail the atmosphere of the era without sacrificing any modern twists. I find the game very playable and a good one of those, yeah course you will tire of the same gameplay loop bit dropping in and out every so often does the game wonders. Kao is back and a solid return.

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!