First Encounter:
Kameo™: Elements of Power

"...as it turns out, there is much more than meets the eye in Kameo: Elements of Power. I came away from the game singing a tune I honestly didn’t expect my jaded, cynical gamer-self to be singing: I think Kameo: Elements of Power will be one of the best games to own when the Xbox 360 launches."

     by MGS XenZilla

I’ll openly admit I’m not much of an action/platform gamer, and that my initial reaction to Kameo: Elements of Power was ambivalent at best. As a long-time gamer with a general preference for 3D shooters with all their fast action, and senseless violence and sexy graphics, I didn’t quite cotton to a game that stuck me in the role of a character that looked to me like a second cousin to Tinkerbell, and sports an animation and story-style reminiscent of her creators.

I mention this because, as it turns out, there is much more than meets the eye in Kameo: Elements of Power. I came away from the game singing a tune I honestly didn’t expect my jaded, cynical gamer-self to be singing.

In truth, I think Kameo: Elements of Power will be one of the best games to own when the Xbox 360® launches.

Elements of Gameplay
What makes Kameo: Elements of Power so special is the innovative combination of tactics required in the game, all of which hinge on Kameo’s ability to shapechange into a variety of different Elementals. Each Elemental has unique attacks, defenses, and movement abilities. You may change forms at will, although you’ll frequently use specific Elementals to accomplish specific feats.

Major Ruin, for example, is often needed to perform a variety of tricky maneuvers in order to get from one area to another, and Chilla is often needed to climb walls. Occasionally, you must use Major Ruin to fire up a ramp and shapechange to Chilla in mid-air, latching onto a wall and climbing it.

Elements of Action
Once the swords (axes, spikes, flails, fists, etc.) start swinging (and they swing often), the action is fast, furious, and frighteningly fun! Kameo’s shapeshifting power allows you to lay the smackdown on enemies in whatever fashion delights you the most. How shall I smite thee? Let me count the ways.

Pelt them to death with Rubble’s stones. Burn them with Ash’s fiery breath. Pound them with Pummel Weed’s ferocious uppercuts – and these are just a few attacks from three of the ten characters in the game. Some characters have large, area-effect attacks. Some can pick up and hurl enemies as weapons – or off a cliff into lava, which is my own guilty pleasure.

Some enemies are particularly vulnerable to attacks from specific Elemental forms. Plan on changing forms quickly and often in the heat of battle, but don’t worry: Kameo’s got firepower (and ice power, plant power, and earth power) to spare. Don’t let the sprite-wings fool you: Kameo dishes out the hurt!

Elements of Adventure
In addition to the main storyline of the game, a little exploration finds plenty of side-quests, puzzles, secrets, and unlockable extras in Kameo: Elements of Power.

Completing side-quests earns Elemental Fruit, which can be used to upgrade Kameo’s various Elemental Forms with new and more powerful attacks (think experience points in fruit form!).  You can also earn new skins (alternate looks) for each of Kameo’s forms, and unlock additional goodies by scoring high enough in certain battles. Even if you finish the game, you can go back and re-play certain sequences to earn higher scores and unlock previously missed items.

Even if you’re just not the puzzle-solving type, the game’s adjustable in-game hint system (provided courtesy of the Wotnot Book) won’t keep you guessing for too long before offering some help on how to solve puzzles or defeat tricky bosses. (The hardcore gamers needn’t worry -- you can disable the hint system if you so choose.)

Elements of Beauty
Kameo combines gorgeous, brightly colored graphics with an epic soundtrack to paint the backdrop of a world in peril. All of which is supremely sweet on an HD (high definition) TV with a surround sound audio system. Even if you don’t have the luxury of either, however, Kameo doesn’t disappoint. The action alone will keep you coming back for more, and even when you’re finished with the game’s main story, there are plenty of secrets and unlockable goodies to keep you going.