So, we’re here, aren’t we? I sometimes start off with an introduction before I get into the thick-of-it, but I’m not going to do that this time because I was already braindead after finishing “Kao 3: Mystery of the Volcano.” Also, this review does say “Not Recommended,” but that does not mean I don’t want you playing it. Like I said in my review of “Kao 1,” I encourage you to play it for yourselves and come up with your own thoughts and conclusions. If you like “Kao 3” more than “Round 2,” then I also encourage you to keep playing. So, with that being said, let’s get started.
Presentation
So, I actually started a review on “Kao: Round 2” before starting this one. Why am I mentioning this? Well, to anyone who has ever played “Round 2,” you’d probably look at this game’s graphics and think that Kao’s animations and the environments look almost similar to its predecessor. However, instead of the previous running animation and the helmet and shoes with wings, Kao has a different running animation (which looks like he is jogging) and a paraglider, like what Sly Cooper has in “Sly’s 2, 3, and Thieves in Time.” Speaking of which, Kao is sporting a different look in this game, instead of the SNES Lil’ Mac-looking boxing attire he had in “Round 2.” To me, he looks like Indiana Jones with a fedora and brown jacket. Don’t you think so? Sorry, I’m just spouting nonsensical things about a cartoon kangaroo. Sorry for going on a tangent here, but I really need to talk about the variety of enemies. I was going to talk about the pelicans in “Pelican Village,” but I decided that it would be pointless to complain about it. However, I feel like “Round 2,” heck, even “Kao 1” had more enemy variety than “Kao 3.” I still despise those stupid penguins though. Anyway, while I wish to see more enemy variety, I can understand why the developers only settled with the volcano themed enemies.
As for the music, I liked it. I’m not a music expert, but from my perspective, the music in “Kao 3” feels adventurous while also mysterious at the same time. What I mean by mysterious, I mean like you feel a sense of discovery as you explore the island and walk around “Pelican Village.” Also, this could be my ears playing tricks on me, but I also felt like the music changes depending on the time of day. While I like Kao’s original design from “Kao 1” more, I won’t deny that Kao’s design looks great here as well. By the way, I had to look at this game’s Steam page and Kao’s design looks the same; however, I noticed that his gloves are a different color from what I have seen while playing. Also, maybe it’s just me, but his jacket, hat, and pants look like different shades of colors. Maybe this was his beta design or a marketing mishap? Anyway, it’s not that big of a deal, just something I noticed.
Presentation: 8/10
Gameplay
So, if you have played “Round 2,” you’d probably notice that Kao has the same moveset from his predecessor game, except it’s a little bit different. This time, instead of boomerangs, you have sticks of dynamite. You also have a paraglider like in “Sly’s 2, 3, and 4” instead of the winged shoes and helmet. Once you start the game, you are first tasked with flying through a set of rings in an airplane. What is strange is that the airplane section does not come up again until the “Battle in the Sky” level. Don’t worry, we’ll get to it. After the airplane training section, we then get to play as Kao in “Pelican Village.” However, when I first started this game, I felt like this game was made primarily for keyboard controls while the gamepad controls might have been an afterthought. The reason I said this is because when I tried to move Kao diagonally like in most 3D platformers, including “Round 2,” Kao walks as if you are slightly tilting the control stick. I’m not joking, no matter how hard I tilt the control stick diagonally, Kao would just walk. Also, if you’re wondering if you can move the camera with the camera stick, nope. Instead, you have to use the zero left and right trigger buttons to move the camera left or right. While I’m glad I can control Kao and the camera, the fact that this control scheme is like this is cumbersome.
Anyway, like I said, “Kao 3” plays like “Round 2” but with slight differences. Speaking of differences, instead of Kao having a health bar like in “Round 2,” Kao 3 brings the hearts back, technically. Why “technically?” Well, do you remember those hearts you see in “Kao 1” that increase the health bar that looks like a heart? Well, there is a different way you get health back. Whenever you defeat an enemy or break objects, you get these little red orbs, and if you get thirty, you receive a heart. If you already have thirty red orbs and get hit, you still have full health. So, I guess it’s almost like “Scooby-Doo Unmasked” except instead of 100 Scooby Snax you collect 30 red orbs. Speaking of orbs, there is also another collectible called “The Brownies of the Wood.” There are 1000 of these things much like 1000 lums in “Rayman 2: The Great Escape.” Look, I know a lot of people have drawn comparisons between Kao and Rayman and I too am guilty of this by comparing “Kao 1” to “Crash Bandicoot.” However, if Nitro Rad is drawing those comparisons, then why shouldn’t I? Anyway, you might be wondering what the green orbs even do. Well, despite me playing this game twice, I still have no idea. I had to look at a walkthrough on YouTube and some screenshots I took while playing and apparently they are used to help you use the elemental artifacts: Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire. Funny, the four elements kind of remind me of Avatar: The Last Airbender. You don’t need to collect all of them to beat the game, but you will need a certain amount of green orbs to get the artifacts and enter the volcano. By the way, do you know what crappy level design element they brought back? A maze section in the Lava Well Level. While brief, I despised the way they brought it back because you HAVE to choose the right path to escape. Otherwise, you WILL take damage and die.
Guess what is also back. Vehicle sections! Now I need to go on a tangent here. I hated these sections in “Kao 1,” still hate it in Kao 3. I tolerated the boat section, but I did not like “Battle in the Sky” because it lasts for like 6 mins. and 15 secs. the first time you play it. Don’t worry, I’m going to tear into this level very soon. What really pissed me off, however, was the stupid virtual racing level that you HAVE to do to get the stupid paraglider. Gadget, your friend, Ace, is in danger, what does virtual racing have to do with paragliding?! Thankfully, I got these levels done but it was still super frustrating.
You want to talk about super frustrating? During my second time playing this game, I encountered a glitch where I got stuck inside one of the pillars that I was supposed to push and use as platforms. Thankfully, I reloaded my save so that I could continue the game. However, “Battle in the Sky” is where I broke. After 100%-ing the game, I accidently entered it a second time and as far as I know, there was no way for me to exit this level. What’s worse is that I forgot to save my second save file after the final level, meaning I was stuck in that level. Thank goodness I still have my first save file.
Gameplay: 5/10
Performance
Performance was fine.
Performance: 10/10
Final Verdict
I have said it in my “Kao 1” review, and I will say it again. I do NOT hate Tate Multimedia. I personally think they have amazing and talented developers. However, as you can see in this review, I did not like this game. Well, now that I am done with this game, let’s see what “Round 2” has in store after I finish it the fourth time. Again, even though this review is “Not Recommended,” that does not mean I don’t want you playing it. If you like “Kao 3,” I encourage you to keep playing it.
Verdict: 23/30
