Kameo certainly caught me by suprise with it's high quality. The game is a fantasy action platformer that could be compared to a Disney movie.
There is a war raging between the elves and the trolls throughout the kingdom. As Kameo, you will be tasked with saving the elves. To do this Kameo must prepare herself by seeking out Elemental Sprites. These little creatures allow Kameo to morph into their adult form, and are key to completing the game. Each sprite is totally unique in look and ability.
The gameplay is enjoyable and challenging at the same time. It's fun to simply fly around with Kameo. But flying is just the beginning, you'll also swim, roll, climb, and use a wide selection of moves to navigate the various areas. Combat has depth and is greatly satisfying. Each Sprite has completely unique attacks, some of which can be combined with other Sprite's attacks. Kameo is rewarded extra points the more brutal she can be. Beating a troll is fun, but grabbing up a troll like a club, then bludgeoning enemies before throwing said troll like a javelin from a castle spire is just glorious.
The graphics and art style are absolutely beautiful. The colorful cartoonish art direction of Kameo is fitting to the story and works well. The technical side of Kameo's graphics is also very impressive. Literally thousands of characters onscreen in certain areas. Water effects that have physics applied. Tall grass that sways in the breeze. Stunning texture work, and realtime day & night cycle all make Kameo: Elements of Power an undeniably magical place to visit.
Kameo also offers both online and offline co-op multi-player. Which consists of playing through area's that the player has unlocked while completing the single player story. The levels are complete with boss battles. The multi-player isn't as deep as the single-player story, but it is alot of fun nonetheless.
If over looked gaming "gems" were a song, I am sure that Kameo would be honorably mentioned. The game is now a Platinum Hit and can be purchased for 1/3 of the price of a newly released title. I was shocked to realize that a game this fun had slipped under my radar. If you are a adventure fan, then by no means deprive yourself of Kameo's glory.
Kameo: Elements of Power arrived as an Xbox 360 launch title. It didn't reinvent the wheel, but deserves more respect than you might think.
There was a sequel in the works but got canceled because of the Kinect......
I doubt we'll see a follow up.
Wasn't a fan.
I give it another try every few years, but it always falls flat for me.
I remember following this game when it was a N64/GCN game. By the time it came out I didn't even care anymore. It spanned 4 consoles by the time it finally released. It was ridiculous. lol
Paul writes: "Come with me down memory lane while I cast my mind back to a time when the world was a much shinier, much more hopeful place than the one we see today, with the elemental good times of Kameo: Elements of Power."
I remember when they showed off some of the original footage when this was being developed for the GameCube... before Rare went to Microsoft and then delayed for development and launch on the 360. You had to catch the beasts, looked great. Enjoyed it very much when it launched.
Alex S. from Link Cable Gaming writes: "Rare if you’re listening we have so ideas of some other classic titles in your portfolio that would be great to be brought back and none of them are called Banjo-Kazooie."
I think the real issue is that the minds that made those games special are nowhere around. When it’s a series that gets new versions regularly like a COD, Forza, Gears, or Halo you can’t really feel the effects so much of teams changing although I’m sure they do, and all the time. Part of that original vision can live on through some of those team members that remain. In these LONG dormant games they have a far greater chance of ruining the memory of these games and the feel they have us than recapturing it. I think that’s also why Rare hasn’t had a hit since they left Nintendo. Rare should be left to their own vices to make a find a identity and make a new IP. ONLY time I saw a whole new team knock it out the park is the new God of War. Corey killed that.
Interesting list, I never heard of the gameboy game they had talked about. But I would still like new IPs this gen.
and 'Controlling Deep Blue underwater is a b*tch'..
That is soooo true...I mean...his specialty is water for gods sake.....
why did they make him move so horribly under water.