Legend of Kay

"Dn not miss the best action adventure platform game of the year"

With "Ratchett and Clank", and "Jak and Daxter" going in new directions, the time is right for a new mascot,and Kay could be it. It is unfortunate, though, that Cap-com seems to be underplaying this with little to no publicity, and a $30 price that indicates they have no confidence in this game at all, and we will likely never see any sequels. Most of the obvious stores aren't even carrying it, though it is easily available on- line. I urge everyone interested in these kinds of games to get this and thus insure future installments. Why, you ask. Well, let's see.

GRAPHICS: 8/10 A very bright and colorful world with lots of different environments and none of those annoying technical glitches, like slow down. It is just what you would expect from a platform game.

MUSIC/SOUND: 7/10 The music is decent and functional and immediately forgettable. Sound effects are pretty decent. Contrary to other opinions you may have seen about the voice acting, I think it is very good, and very comical. Where others have said to turn it off because it ruins the game and takes you out of it, I say the complete opposite.

CAMERA/CONTROL: 7/10 For the most part the camera is just fine, although you can not look up or down without stopping and hitting the R3 button. The controls are extremely accurate, but there are many different combinations to remember. Changing items and use of them, as well as changing weapons is very nicely implemented by the shoulder buttons.

GAME PLAY: 8/10 Other than some movement techniques that can keep you in the air, you won't find a whole lot of innovation here; however, seldom has a game gotten the tried and true to be so much fun. This is primarily a platform game, but with a major emphasis on combat. There are also some minor puzzles to be solved. It is mission based, with more optional ones than you may like. You start with only three hit points, but can get up to, I think, 15. You can also get armor to double that, though it won't protect you from falling. In combat, the combo meter can go up to 20, which makes you stronger. You have an ongoing score which helps to unlock extras. You will need all the money you can get to buy much needed items at the shops. You will ride animals in what Cap-com seems to think are mini games. The game is extremely linear, when you finish one level and move on, you can not go back. The game employs a unique save system in where, when you get to a save marker it is automatic even as you continue to play. I found, though, that I prefer to save manually, in case I get taken to the next level before finishing the one I am on. Even manually, though, you can only save at the markers. You will start with no weapons, but eventually you will have three, which upgrade 2 times each. The levels are huge with lots to do in each. For the most part the game is not too difficult and enjoyable to play. Make no mistake, though, it is a challenge and not just for small children. One thing I do not get, though, is these metal gems that change color when you hit them. They do not appear to do anything and are never mentioned in the manual or game tutorials.

VALUE: 8/10 Since I have not yet finished the game and have no idea how many levels there actually are I can only surmise. It will, however, take even the veteran gamer a minimum of 20 hours to do everything, and my rating is based on that and the thirty dollar price tag; however, this game could be more like 40 hours or more, and I would rate it a 10.

FINAL COMMENTS: This is a great game and highly polished, something you would not expect from a $30 game. It is a long game because it is long, not because it is so hard you have to do each level 100 times. Like so many other good games that have gotten lost in the shuffle of the holiday season, this one may too: don't let that happen. This game is up to the level of "Ratchett and Clank ", and far superior to "Tak" and many others. I beg of you reading this to run out and buy it and turn it to the unexpected sleeper hit it deserves to be.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/26/05