Outside the Box

At first glance of the Xbox 360™ launch lineup, it seems as if all bases are covered. There are sports games, action games, first person shooters, brawlers, role-playing games—you name it, nearly every genre is represented on launch day. And then there's Kameo: Elements of Power. Those unfamiliar with the impressive resume from Kameo developer Rare® are apt to point their collective fingers at this stylistic gem and snicker "kiddy game!" under their breath as they reach for their pre-ordered copies of Perfect Dark Zero™.

Kameo strikes a pose.

To simply write off Kameo as some half-baked juvenile fare would be a mistake. Bluntly put, Kameo has style, originality, and unique puzzles aplenty—a winning combination of features other games can't touch. After some hands-on time with the newest heroine from Rare, I'm a believer. Read on to find out why Kameo: Elements of Power might be the best launch title you never knew you wanted.

A Little of This, A Bit of That
Forget Rare's distinguished catalogue of hits for a moment; we're talking about the here and now. This is the era of Xbox 360—a time of high definition visuals, unparalleled gaming experiences, integrated entertainment, and peerless online play. The future is now, and the past is history. The gamer of today, whether he's a spiky-haired teenager or she's a thirty-something mother of three, wants it all. Shiny graphics aren't enough to captivate audiences—it's all about the gameplay.

Once you see a thousand fist-pumping trolls
in your path, you'll get the picture.

Kameo isn't a shooter, though you'll lob rocks, chuck icicles, and toss enemies to and fro. It's not an adventure game, even though you'll spend hours exploring intricately designed and stunningly detailed environments. It's not even an RPG, despite the fact that you'll earn and learn new moves and powers as you progress through the game. No, Kameo can't be conveniently pigeon-holed into one confining description. Kameo is all these things—and more.

The game’s training level gives you a quick taste of the full meal you'll feast on during your adventures. In the course of one simple introduction, you'll shape shift into three different creatures, fight off hordes of wild enemies of all shapes and sizes, navigate the treacherous bowels of a castle, and solve a variety of clever puzzles. In between all the excitement and combat, you'll pause to take in some breathtaking visuals and a story worthy of the silver screen treatment. How's that for multitasking?

"How many fingers am I holding up?"

Fun for Everyone
Don't let the colorful characters and wondrous landscapes of Kameo lull you into a false sense of boredom. This game is anything but stale, and even though there's plenty of combat to be had, it's a game that's suitable for teens as well as adults. Call it comic mischief on an epic scale if you want. Once you see a thousand fist-pumping trolls in your path, you'll get the picture.

If you've enjoyed Rare classics like Donkey Kong Country and Goldeneye 007, you're already familiar with the developer's unique sense of storytelling style. If you haven't, well you're in for one heck of a ride. Imagine a world crafted with the same care as a Disney classic, but punctuated with the acerbic wit of a Shrek flick. Now give yourself the freedom to run around that world, lay the smack down on scores of enemies, and acquire tons of cool powers. And if you're feeling lonely, you can do it all with a friend at your side.

Show, Don't Tell
If my unabashed fawning over this game isn't enough to convince you, perhaps you should look elsewhere for inspiration. To truly appreciate the finer qualities of Kameo: Elements of Power you'll have to see it in action for yourself. Check out some tantalizing gameplay videos and thumb through some screenshots of her in action. Who knows? You just might become a fan.

Article by Franklin Beans