Platform games are the types of games we grew up with. You had Super Mario 64, Spyro, … and they all had this simple way of gaming. It was all about getting somewhere and collecting items or defeating enemies. Simple games that could ease your mind from a long day at work. Nowadays, a good platformer is hard to find, especially without too complex mechanics. Don’t get me wrong, I like complex mechanics but sometimes you just want to hang out in a digital space and do brainless gaming. The developers at BINGOBELL heard our cry for help and presented Kaku: Ancient Seal. Let’s dive into it!
The story in Kaku: Ancient Seal starts off in the snowy mountains where we get a glimpse of our main character, Kaku. Kaku looks like a young caveman hunting for a mystical creature that looks like a flying piglet. Apparently, Kaku wasn’t the only one hunting this majestic creature as there quickly appeared an even bigger beast hunting after Kaku and the piglet. After a decent run, Kaku gets caught up by the beast and slings Kaku to another portion of the environment where you finally get the chance to gain control over Kaku. Your quest to capture this flying piglet is still lingering in the back of your mind while keeping an eye out for that beast that wants to have a piece of you. While you scout for a way toward the piglet, the game teaches you all of the movement, combat mechanics, and crafting systems that you need to play the game before you actually start your adventure.
“It is up to you to travel to these different regions and restore the region to its former glory.”
After the tutorial, the piglet has been caught and you get some information about what’s really going on. It appears that the 4 elements of the world have been disturbed by an unknown dark force and to top it all off, you seem to be the chosen one to wield the power of the ancients which makes you a great candidate to restore balance to the world. Not only do you wield ancient power, but you also have a magical companion that could help you along the way, namely the flying piglet.
Your journey takes you to the floating islands that consist of 4 different regions: Dragon Bone Desert, Windy Snowy Field, Misty Swamp, and Flaming Mountains. It is up to you to travel to these different regions and restore the region to its former glory. You’ll have to collect different items or even elemental keys that will help you progress the regions and discover the secrets that they hold, whilst saving the region from the dark forces. There isn’t any kind of restriction to these regions, so you’re able to choose what region first is in need of saving. Progress through these regions and unlock different items/ abilities to become the chosen one of the floating islands.
“The game also has a simplified crafting system”
Kaku: Ancient Seal is definitely a game that takes me back to my first days of gaming due to its looks and gameplay feel. The game looks old but decent enough to enjoy my time in this mystical place due to the use of vibrant colors, shader techniques, and the esthetics of the 3D environment. It’s a simple look but enjoyable nevertheless. The gameplay itself is simple and straightforward. You can move, (double) jump, fight with your bat or shoot with your catapult at enemies. As long as you have the stamina and featured crafting materials, you can be at the best you can be. After being introduced to the magical flying piglet, you’re also able to do magic to do some decent damage to your enemies or even able to progress through the environment by using movement abilities.
The game also has a simplified crafting system. Throughout the world, you’ll find berries, meat, and plants that will help you with crafting items that will help you replenish your stamina or health. As long as you have a fire and the right items, you can cook. You will also need different kinds of ores to craft ammo for your catapult. Each kind of ammunition will be needed to engage in combat with the dark forces. Some enemies have a weakness to a certain kind of ammunition so be sure to bring a lot of different kinds of ammunition along the way because you never know what you may encounter in the world.
“A platformer wouldn’t be a platformer if there wasn’t any kind of jumping to get to a certain point.”
Your combat mechanics can also be enhanced or upgraded with a special type of rock. You can learn new abilities or enhance the already owned abilities. Just like any other platformer, you will also find 2 types of essences that can improve your health or stamina bar. Defeated enemies will also drop items to improve your gear. Each armor/ weapon has its own attributes, so you can adapt your gear to the opponent you’re trying to defeat. Long story short, there are multiple ways to get stronger in the game. Use this to your advantage. A platformer wouldn’t be a platformer if there wasn’t any kind of jumping to get to a certain point. The regions offer multiple challenges that will put your platforming skills to the test. Some are fairly easy and some are a bit harder, but nothing seems too complicated. These different jumping challenges offer treasure at the end of the road and are truly rewarding.
Conclusion:
Kaku: Ancient Seal is definitely a great pick-up if you’re into these games and would like some brainless and straightforward platformer. The game reminds me a lot of the good old days and I know for a fact that there will be other gamers who are equally nostalgic as I am. The game uses the simple mechanics of an old-school platformer with a pitch of personal upgrading. Not too much, but enough to keep the game enjoyable. Kaku: Ancient Seal takes a lot from popular platformers we all know and love but the aesthetics make the game stand out on its own.
