Character interaction
This is pretty much the pattern of the entire game. Enter an area, defeat the creature, which unlocks a pathway, enter the next area, and repeat. Each level ends with the familiar, but enjoyable task of defeating the end of level boss. You’ll need to use the correct character in order to progress, for example, you’ll need to morph into Pummel Weed in order to use the ‘Creeper’ technique, which allows you to overturn objects that trolls may be hiding under. Defeat the trolls and you’ll open up a new area, accessible by using Major Ruin’s ‘Cyclone’.
There is little in the way of puzzle solving in Kameo, deciding which character to use for which task is the closest the game gets, you’ll unlock 10 of these characters, all of which can be accessed easily on screen. Despite the abundance of characters, the excitement in discovering a new warrior, and the moves these characters possess, it’s a shame they aren’t used to better effect. A few carefully placed challenging puzzles would have created an empathy with these creatures, but as it happens you’ll plough through most of the game using sheer strength alone.
Click for larger imageThe interaction of these characters as a team could also have been looked at more thoroughly; you can play a large chunk of the combat side of the game using a couple of the key creatures. Making these characters work together would have made a much more solid and rewarding gaming experience. The game does flirt with this idea, for example, when morphing into the warrior Deep Blue you can spit oil over enemies, switch to Ash, the fire breathing dragon, and set the oil on fire!
Click for larger imageThe frustration of mastering the techniques and movements of a few of the characters is part and parcel of Kameo. During the first level you may enter into the controller-throwing mind set of a moody teenager, as you struggle to adapt to the disheartening camera angles and the armadillo’s inclination for speeding off in the wrong direction. Jumping a chasm can be a chore even when your doing it the right way, the degree of accuracy needed to land in the correct spot is plain annoying. It does get easier though. Once you’ve mastered the Cyclone effect, by pulling both your left and right triggers simultaneously, you’ll be shooting up ramps with a fair degree of accuracy. The camera problems however will irritate you throughout.
