Kao the Kangaroo Review Summary

Enjoyable smooth platforming and pleasant colorful graphics with solid varied level design are let down by poor voice acting, an unremarkable story, and repetitive gameplay.

Enjoyable and smooth platforming: Players consistently praise the platforming as fun, smooth, and enjoyable, with many calling it the best in the Kao series and one of the best 3D platformers on Steam. The gameplay is often described as fluid, responsive, and reminiscent of classic platformers like Crash Bandicoot.

Pleasant and colorful graphics: The graphics are widely praised as pleasant, colorful, cute, and stylish, with several reviews comparing the art style favorably to AAA titles like Spyro and Crash 4. The visual presentation is described as high quality and charming.

Solid and varied level design: Level design is considered solid, well-made, and interesting, with diverse environments that are large, colorful, and open. Many reviewers note that levels are replayable and reminiscent of Spyro and Crash.

Satisfying combat and boss fights: Combat is considered fine, simple, and effective, while boss fights are a standout feature, described as interesting, well-made, and multi-phased. Some note the DLC bosses offer more challenge than the base game ones.

Fun and accessible gameplay: Gameplay is frequently described as fun, simple, pleasant, and fluid, making it accessible and relaxing for players. The core experience is consistently found engaging.

Voice acting quality is poor: Multiple clusters highlight bad voice acting, including non-fluent English, unnatural delivery, and grating performances, especially for the main character.

Story is unremarkable: Reviews describe the story as dull, forgettable, simple, and lacking interest, with no revolutionary elements to engage players.

Gameplay is repetitive: Mechanics become monotonous quickly, and the gameplay feels basic, easy, and unpolished, lacking depth or challenge.

Various technical bugs: Players encounter numerous bugs, including inconsistent ledge grabbing, camera issues, and general instability, affecting overall polish.

Cutscene animations are stiff: Cutscene animations lack synchronization with dialogue, appear wooden, and feel rough, detracting from the narrative experience.

Core 3D platformer gameplay: The game is consistently described as a 3D platformer with exploration, jumping, ledge climbing, rolling, and combat. Players have a moveset including double jump, punch, roll, tail whip, and air attack, with simple combat and light puzzle mechanics.

Extensive collectible system: Reviewers note a wide variety of collectibles such as coins, diamonds, scrolls, runes, letters spelling KAO, heart pieces, and eternal wells. Collecting is a core loop and items are found in every nook and cranny.

Strong Crash Bandicoot influence: Players frequently compare the game to Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter, calling it a mascot platformer revival with an old-school style remodeled for modern times. It draws inspiration from early 2000s greats.

Simple and forgiving difficulty: The platforming is described as simple, forgiving, straightforward, and low difficulty, suitable for beginners. The game is also short, with a length of about 6-7 hours.

Elemental glove combat system: Combat uses boxing gloves that can be attuned to fire, ice, and wind elements. These elemental upgrades are used for puzzles and specific sections, adding variety.

Good performance on low specs: Multiple players report good performance on low-spec hardware, work laptops, and generally fine optimization with good graphics.

FPS above 60 causes bugs: Bugs appear at framerates over 60, requiring a frame cap to 60 for proper function, which also stops camera stuttering and fixes hook swing issues.

Multiple severe technical issues: Technical issues include low performance, very buggy experiences like music stopping, falling through floor, wall walking, weird hitboxes, glitching numbers, and general bugs.

Crash between levels: The game crashes after completing a level or between levels, indicating a specific stability issue in progression.

Mouse sensitivity bug: A mouse sensitivity bug persists until the level is restarted, requiring a workaround.

Recommended for platformer fans: Many reviews recommend the game to fans of platformers, especially 3D platformers, classic platformers, and those who grew up playing them.

Not worth full price: A significant number of reviews state that the game is not worth buying at full price, suggesting waiting for a sale or deep discount.

Good for casual relaxation: Reviews describe the game as fun for short sessions, relaxing, and not too difficult, appealing to casual or younger players.

Recommended for younger audience: Some reviews specifically recommend the game for children, such as those aged 8-12, or for family play with kids.

Better alternatives exist: Some reviewers suggest playing other platformers like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, or the original Kao games instead, as they are better or cheaper.

Community fair range: $14.99 - $29.99.

Game completion: 10.5h.

Story completion: 6.5h.

Session length: 4.0h.

Most players find Kao the Kangaroo boring and unpolished from the beginning, with no moment where fun engages; though some younger children may enjoy it.

Friction: boring level design; unpolished mechanics (janky animations, broken hook swing, softlocks, progression bugs); terrible voice acting; tedious collectible clutter; bland gameplay and lack of soul.

Casual-Chill Platformer: Plays levels at a relaxed pace, enjoys colorful visuals and simple exploration without stress. Motivation: Relaxation and casual enjoyment of platforming without difficulty or complexity. Stance: buy.

Completionist Achievement Hunter: Methodically collects all items (runes, letters, crystals) and unlocks all achievements/100% completion. Motivation: The satisfaction of full completion and earned achievements. Stance: sale.

Old-School Platforming Purist: Compares the game to classic 3D platformers (Crash, Spyro, Mario, Rayman), evaluates gameplay mechanics and level design critically. Motivation: Nostalgia for old-school platformers and a desire for competent genre entries. Stance: deep sale.

Steam Deck: The game suffers from frequent glitches (soft locks, missing audio, item spawn failures) and occasional stuttering on Steam Deck, though it remains playable to completion. Performance can be improved by lowering graphics settings, and some users face control responsiveness issues. Overall, the experience requires tolerance for bugs and graphical tweaks.

Linux and Proton: The game runs well on Linux via Proton, with most evidence coming from Steam Deck users who report full playability after minor in-game tweaks (medium settings, disabling anti-aliasing). One isolated report of stutter on desktop Linux exists, but it does not reflect a widespread issue. Overall, the game requires only minor adjustments to achieve good compatibility.

Monetization: User reviews indicate the game sells a paid DLC that is considered essential for story completion and achievements, with a very short playtime, leading to a perception of a cash grab. The base game itself is otherwise praised, but the DLC practice raises the monetization score above the fair threshold.

DLC achievement lock issue: Half of the game's achievements require the DLC, and saves are not transferrable, causing frustration. The game starts with only three hearts.

User purchased DLC Bend the Rooles: One user reported purchasing the DLC called Bend the Rooles.

Player thanks friend for gift: A user gave special thanks to their brother for gifting them the game.