Kameo: Elements of Power Review

Platform: Xbox 360

Publisher: Rare

Rating: Teen (T)

Kameo: Elements of Power is the first adventure game created for the Xbox 360. Your character is an Elfin princess who has been gifted with the power to transform into various beast Elementals with unique abilities. Destined to become the ruler of the Kingdom and the Element of Power, her sister becomes jealous and joins forces with Thorn, the King of the Trolls. The kingdom is in jeopardy. Thorn has kidnapped Kameo’s family. She must stop Thorn from destroying all magic and the lands from chaos.

Kameo: Elements of Power

The first portion is focused on showing you how to transform into different characters and use their abilities. Helpful hints and tips are given in the first couple of chapters through voice and written notes placed in strategic locations. You will have access to a few of the Elemental characters, so you can experiment with their abilities. Many times, common sense will help you decide which Elemental to use through the different challenges. But, despite your valiant effort to save your family, your first attempt is a failure. The Troll King strips you of your transforming powers and you are required to retrieve them away from his servants, the Shadow Trolls. Without your Elemental beasts to help you, you cannot make another attempt to get your family back.

The Whatnot Book

Kameo needs this book help assist her throughout this important journey. The Whatnot book is inhabited by a Wizard named Ortho. He will give you important tips on what you need to do to get through particular areas. The book also holds information on the various Elemental beasts you will inherit. You can see what kind of upgrades that are available and what each one can do. There is also a page that keeps track of your progress in the game and what your current objectives are.

Controlling the Elementals

Transformation into the Elementals is an easy process. You can assign up to four of them to the X, Y, A and B buttons. By the end if the game, you will have access to 10 of these fantastic creature forms.

Kameo: Elements of Power seems to cater many levels to a certain character. Whenever you obtain a new one, you will get a lot of practice using their abilities. Sometimes, it is not obvious what you need to do. A couple times while playing Major Ruin (an elemental with the ability to turn himself into a ball and roll and jump across ramps), there were areas that seemed impossible to get through even with his skills. It turns out that there was a different way of using his abilities that I was not aware of.

Another instance of difficulty was when I used the Elemental called Ash. This is a little red dragon has the ability to blast fire in various different ways. On a certain task, I needed to light some torches in order to unlock a giant door. I looked everywhere for these torches, and for some reason I just couldn’t find them. Later, it turned out that all I needed to do was look up. It never occurred to me that the torches would be so high up! The lesson with all of this is to just experiment with everything and look in all directions since you never know what to expect.

Basic Game Info

• Access the Whatnot Book - Press the START button. Use the right and left trigger to flip through the pages

• Elixir of Life - These rare potion vials can replenish you to full health status.

• Elemental Fruit - Find these during your travels to upgrade your Elemental creature forms

Graphics and Sound

The graphics in Kameo: Elements of Power are excellent with high quality detail. Some people may find this game to appear a bit cartoonish, but don’t let this deter you from trying it out. Characters are full of expression, motion is flawless and the scenery is amazing. Another nice detail is the look of water. You can see the illusion of the sun reflecting upon its surface.

Sound and voice effects are very good and appropriate for this game. The music soundtrack has nice fantasy melodies that vary in intensity depending on the urgency of the situation. Some of music scores are kind of catchy. I have found myself humming some of them while I was away from the game.

Worth it?

This form-changing adventure game is worth checking out. Don’t let the cartoonish appearance of this game fool you. It is a lot of fun to play.

Save Kameo’s family from the Evil Troll Thorn. End the chaos and destruction of her kingdom. Get guidance from the Wizard Ortho, who resides in the Whatnot Book. Experiment with the different Elemental creatures abilities in all sorts of amazing ways.