It’s time for Rare to silence its critics. Since the British game studio, once comfortable in the pocket of Nintendo, was bought up by Microsoft for an exorbitant sum, many have wondered how such a large investment could ever be recouped. Throughout the whole life cycle, Rare managed only two games: the lamentable Grabbed by the Ghoulies and the admittedly rather better Conker Live and Reloaded, itself a rehash of an old N64 title.

Rare finally seem keen to please their Microsoft overlord ... more >>

It’s time for Rare to silence its critics. Since the British game studio, once comfortable in the pocket of Nintendo, was bought up by Microsoft for an exorbitant sum, many have wondered how such a large investment could ever be recouped. Throughout the whole life cycle, Rare managed only two games: the lamentable Grabbed by the Ghoulies and the admittedly rather better Conker Live and Reloaded, itself a rehash of an old N64 title.

Rare finally seem keen to please their Microsoft overlords though and that total is about to be equalled in the first week of the Xbox 360’s release. One title is Perfect Dark Zero, and it’s so secret how long that has been in the making. The second is Kameo: Elements of Power.

Kameo is a fantasy action adventure played in the 3rd person. The elaborate storyline tells of a goodly Elven king who used an ancient magical technique to vanquish a rabble-rousing Troll leader. And though he succeeded, he also mysteriously disappeared. Years pass and the Elves enjoy their hard-won peace, while the widowed Elf queen rules in the king’s stead. She has two daughters who can succeed her: Kalus, the eldest and a nasty bit of work, and the angelic but junior Kameo. So it’s just as well that tradition allows either one to accede to the throne. Kameo ends up being able to harness the artefact last used by the king, the Elements of Power.

What you need to know is that you are able to control 10 different elements, a rag-tag bunch of plants, rocks and flaming creatures with different abilities. Choose the services of appropriate elements as you go about bashing big nasty green trolls, and trying to save the kingdom once again. Fast paced and tons of fun, Kameo may have an all new load of characters but their design is pure Rare. A return to form? Long may it continue.
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