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Kameo: Elements Of Power is a title that’s managed
to distance itself from its own release. Much like Perfect
Dark Zero, Kameo: Elements Of Power has had a
long-life in production with wisps  of play experiences
coming-and-going, added to, removed and even simply remoulded with
entirely different scenery. Having begun production earlier
than the Perfect Dark prequel, Kameo: Elements Of Power was originally intended for launch before Conker’s Bad Fur Day
on the Nintendo64. Delayed to GameCube Launch Line-Up, then to an
undesignated point in 2004, that RARE sale and purchase
resulted in the title belonging to the Microsoft stable.
A few years of delays later, and Kameo: Elements Of Power
arrives in the UK alongside Perfect Dark Zero as part of the Xbox360’s Launch
Line-Up. As a rare treat from all the shooting and racing you’ll
no doubt be experiencing, RARE have followed on from their
experience with the The Legend Of
Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Engine
on StarFox Adventures: Dinosaur Planet and created an
Adventure title which displays commitment to its heritage. The flow
of Kameo: Elements Of Power is that of its inheritance;
sequential Temples and the gathering of Elemental Warriors, sequential puzzles and
Cut-Scenes. The generic set-pieces of Water Temple, Earth Temple etc. are a defining example of the titles longevity
of development, but for all the wrong reasons. When production on
the title began in the late ‘90’s, a series of puzzles, followed
by a Dungeon, followed by a new weapon on loop was the tradition for
Adventure titles and Action/RPGs – even the forthcoming The
Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess can rely on the excuse of
tradition for such hand-holding – however, with the advent of two
generations of videogames consoles, the structure is clearly too
simplified for a recognised progression in  the genre. In addition,
the structure has been simplified further through the sporadic use
of puzzles; one to enter each Temple, one in each Temple, Boss
Fight, Guardian Fight, resulting in an Adventure title feeling short
on the adventuring.
The Elemental Warriors that are gathered are the main
feature, and the most inventive feature of the title. Although
clearly inspired by the mask-morphing of The Legend Of Zelda:
Majora’s Mask, each Elemental Warrior has a charm all of its
own. After beating each Guardian, a new Elemental Warrior will be
rescued which can then be assigned to one of the Face Buttons.
Pressing the designated Face Button will morph Kameo into the
specific Elemental Warrior, with each ability controlled with the LT
Trigger and RT Trigger. Each have varying abilities used both for
defeating enemies and progressing through puzzles. New Elemental
Warriors will generally be used until reaching a Boss Fight, when
they will have to be used in harmony with another Elemental Warrior
to bring victory. The Elemental Warriors add a nice spice to the
point-to-point adventuring but are, at best, limited in their
capability, with many only requiring brief use before being
laid-to-rest.
As progression is made, collecting Elemental Fruit will allow
you to upgrade or purchase new abilities for your Elemental
Warriors. A nice attempt at a distinctive Levelling-Up System but
inevitably flawed due to the limited nature  of the Elemental
Warriors. The Map is intriguing – an expansive presentation not
dissimilar to GUN in its execution. However, much like GUN,
much of the Map will remain unexplored upon completion, simply due
to its lack of necessity and, therefore, lack of gameplay elements.
When in the main Arena, Kameo will have a horse to bound
around upon, offering little in the way of The Legend Of Zelda:
Ocarina Of Time’s Epona, but proving its relevance when faced
with hundreds of marauding Orcs of a rampage. The enemy variety is
pleasing but stricken by the lack of areas featuring their
placement. Allies are well-designed, but many remain lifeless, 2D
representations of plot advancers or population simply for the sake
of it.
The graphical charm of the title is unparalleled on the
Xbox360. Although the title falls short of the beauty seen in
releases such as Perfect Dark Zero, Full Auto or Dead
Or Alive 4, it’s very distinctive style and ability to render
hundreds of Real-Time Character Models with some stunning Real-Time
Lighting pushes Kameo: Elements Of Power into the running for
best looking Xbox360 Launch Release. The sound quality is pretty
much adequate – competent but totally devoid of that usual RARE
flare for Soundtrack development.
With the title retaining some of the traditional RARE humour
and in-gags, it’s very clear where the title has come from. Kameo:
Elements Of Power keeps RARE’s reputation on the right-side of
UK development, just. It’s short-pace and un-involving representation
will constantly leave fans thinking there should be much more, but
its inviting nature will keep players attached-enough throughout
till completion. Kameo: Elements Of Power is a far-cry from
the engaging Action/RPG we’d all been hoping for, but it does
remain an enjoyable experience.
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