Kao the Kangaroo Reviews
Kao the Kangaroo is a serviceable 3D platformer. Derivative of its peers and totally indebted to them, the game has a hard time standing out, even though it offers solid, if forgettable, adventuring.
The return of the traditional 3D arcade was successful and kangaroo Kao gave us a real nostalgic blow. But there could be more worlds and content.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
This old school mascot is back trying to reboot itself in a game too safe for its own good and with technical problems that will infuriate even the most relaxed players.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
It lacks the real quality and finesse of the top games in the genre, but it’s a bright and breezy affair that squarely falls under the classification of light entertainment.
Kao the Kangaroo is a fairly pleasant platformer with some non-dealbreaker issues.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
The Kao the Kangaroo reboot was unexpected. Although it generally follows the formula of early 3D platformers – and thus will satisfy gamers looking for nostalgic gameplay – it’s light on challenge and long on cheesy dialogue. I do appreciate what they are going for here, but the execution could have been better. Plus, the bugs make this feel like a not-quite-finished product.
After the disappearance of Kao’s Father, Koby, and his sister Mia, Kao has taken it upon himself to don the Gloves that his father hid from the world to become the hero his home needs. With his coach, Walt the Koala, offering his concerns over the magical set of Gloves, it becomes clear that Kao is no ordinary little Kangaroo, and he is more than capable of giving anyone who gets in his way, the old 1-2 punch combo. This journey will take him through jungles, volcanos, icy mountain tops with hordes of Stinky Bugs, Slimy frogs, and burly Monkeys standing in your way.
Kao the Kangaroo is very flawed, but also very enjoyable. It feels like I’m playing the 2022 equivalent to Gex, Chameleon Twist, or Toy Story 2: a game that smells like jank, but has enough charm and redeemable qualities (namely its excellent level design) to be worth a shot if you’re a fan of the genre. It will probably not going to wow you in any way, or leave a lasting impression, but it is proof that B-tier mascot platformers are alive and well in 2022.
Kao the Kangaroo breathes new life into the franchise with charming new characters and inviting visual designs, although the gameplay may remain too easy for some.
Kao the Kangaroo is a fun throwback to platformers of the noughties, but it has a few issues that really hold it back.
Kao the Kangaroo is an often-delightful throwback to a simpler time, paying homage to the 3D platformers of yesteryear while retaining just enough of its own identity. Most importantly, its platforming and combat are both on point, and thanks to its likeable characters you'll want to see it through to the end.
Kao the Kangaroo will not go down in history, I think you probably guessed it. We have to admit that it represents an interesting and still accessible challenge for people who are new to the genre. Your children could find it a lot of fun and it could prepare them to tackle little more fleshed out games. It's absolutely nothing mean-spirited towards Kao the Kangaroo but just like the other games in the series, it lacks something to elevate it to the level of the best games in the genre. Its lifespan of about 8 hours is more than reasonable and that's why it can be interesting for newer gamers.
Review in French | Read full review
I mostly enjoyed my time with Kao the Kangaroo as it brought me back to the early 2000s when 3D platformers were plentiful and memorable. It may not be a shining example of the genre but it's fun enough for those who are nostalgic for the good old days.
Kao the Kangaroo has become a nice platformer that tickles some memories of my favorite games of the past and that still delivers its own charme.
Review in German | Read full review
Kao the Kangaroo is an excellent revisit to the golden age of 3D platformers. Though it doesn't reinvent the wheel of the genre, it provides enough nostalgia and competence to solidify itself as a staple in today's market.
Our small taste of Kao the Kangaroo at PAX East left us craving more and we can say that we have not been disappointed. That taste gave us enough to get a feel of what the game has to offer and thankfully the rest of the game lives up to those expectations. If you’d like a modern platformer with subtle pop culture nods then you will love KAO the Kangaroo. This game is easy to pick up whether you are 4 or 13 going on 30. Honestly, for never hearing of the franchise before PAX East 2022, it makes us want to go back and play some of the older titles. We might just have to do that or wait til the other two games get a reboot. If you like platformers and/or kangaroos, you should enjoy this game.
Kao The Kangaroo is a hard one to sum up, then, because while it definitely feels low-budget, clunky and frustrating at times, it's also a platformer packed with plenty of fun and memorable moments. It feels like the developer went the extra mile to inject some ambition into this game and craft something that deserves a place alongside the behemoths of the genre, even if it can't meet the lofty heights of a Crash Bandicoot or a Super Lucky's Tale. It's nice to see Kao punching above his weight in 2022, and not just being relegated to an easy cash grab.
While reinventing absolutely nothing, Kao the Kangaroo has proven to be a valid and enjoyable platformer.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Kangaroo Kao returns and serves us a real festival of disappointments. With the naked eye, you can see that the iconic kangaroo was not yet ready for the premiere and needs more love.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Kao the Kangaroo is in a werid place. The story, voice acting and dialogue all suggest it's meant for kids, but the design and various elements feel dated. In the older days these experiences were the norm, but today it might not be what players expect or even want. This, along with some annoying glitches and underwhelming combat leaves Kao the Kangaroo in a rough place. It still has some good moments, they're just lost in a sea of basically making a modern Dreamcast title.