Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge

"A Fair Game By Its Own Merits"

Banjo Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge is the newest game in the Banjo Kazooie series, spanning two N64 games (BK, BT) and now one on the GBA (BK: GR). And that is it's greatest flaw. If this game could be detached from the spectacular games on the N64, it wouldn't be panned at all. But alas, it is transparently a Banjo-Kazooie game, and everything that brings.

Gameplay:
Similar to the previous games, your time in BK: GR is spent collecting all manner of things. Unlike in BT, where they tried to tone down the collection aspect, it is back in full force. And it is executed well. Rare knows how to make treasure hunt games. You will collect things, which in turn allow you to collect other things, and it's still the satisfying romp that it always has been. Back are Mumbo's transformations, with a slight new twist this time: when you earn a new transformation, it can be used in any stage. This could have been remarkably cool in itself, as each transformation has its own powers, you could go back to previous levels, get into new areas, have a blast. But there's only one time where you actually need to do this. Wasted potential there. There are a few mini-games which are pretty lame, after the solid showing in BT.
Overall: Solid, nothing exceptional. 6/10

Story:
Grunty is back, and she's gone back in time to prevent Banjo and Kazooie from ever meeting up. Somehow, even after she's gone back, present Banjo is sent back to stop her. And then the story dies. Despite the inherit coolness of time travel, no real jokes or references to it are ever really made. Wasted potential.
Overall: Who cares? Let's play the game. 3/10

Control:
Pretty simplistic, and each new technique is explained to you, no problems here. Just like the other Banjo-Kazooie games, most moves are performed with the press of a button or crouch and a button. It feels fairly intuitive, although the R button is almost never used. It feels like the game could have some more moves. The only real control issues are some beefs with how the momentum system works when you jump, but this is a problem with control pads. You'll get used to it.
Overall: Easy to learn. Unconscious. 10/10

Graphics:
Ah, this is good stuff. The graphics are nice and vibrant and suit the game very well. Banjo himself is superbly animated, with an impressive pseudo-3D model boasting dozens of animations. However, unlike the Spyro games on the Game Boy Advance, this game ditches the isometric approach, and the ''face-on'' camera perspective can make judging some heights totally impossible. The design team was clearly aware of this, and have made sure it doesn't cause problems, but it can be confusing.
Overall: Pretty. Does justice to its predecessors. 9/10

Sound:
A bit of a mixed bag here. A couple themes in this game rock, and Banjo-Kazooie's voices are awesome (and are likely ripped straight from BT), however, the noises when characters speak are far toned down from the N64 versions (they aren't words, just weird little noises). Sadly, BK:GR has lost one of the series' trademarks here, the cool dynamic which would change slightly in key and instrumentation when you entered a different part of the same level is gone. Oh well.
Overall: Banjo sounds great, music is okay. 7/10

Replay Value:
None whatsoever, pretty much. If you had some amazing desire to play the mini-games again, the option is there. That's it. The game can be beaten by most everyone in about 4 hours, so this is a bit lacking. This is a stark contrast to the replayability of BK and BT, which could keep you playing for a long time.
Overall: Almost none. The mini-games are still lame the second time through. 2/10

Challenge Factor:
This game is pretty easy. There are some enemies who can take off a fair bit of health, but they don't have any sneaky attacks or anything so you can just avoid them. The difficulty is a bit disproportionate, you're most likely to die from falling in dangerous water.
Overall: Challenge level - Easy

Conclusion:
This is a solid treasure hunt.
But this isn't just any treasure hunt, this is Banjo-Kazooie, and despite the new form of presentation, the essence of the series is well preserved. But this comes with a lot of responsibilities, which for the most part, aren't met. It feels a lot like it's N64 predecessors, except less so: Shorter. Fewer moves. Less jokes. Less plot. This game clearly doesn't try to pass itself off as the third chapter in the series, more an amusing diversion that will be forgotten and never brought up again. But there is potential here. With a few tweaks, an awesome sequel could be made. We need another sequel. Banjo-Kazooie does not feel sufficiently concluded.

Final score (not an average): 7/10

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 09/18/03