Kao the Kangaroo (2022)

Key art

***Kao the Kangaroo*** (Polish: *Kangurek Kao*) is a platform game developed and published by Tate Multimedia released in May 2022 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

This game is a reboot of the *Kao the Kangaroo* series and also the first title released since *Kao: Mystery of the Volcano* in 2005.

## Plot

Koby, Kao, and Kaia's father disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Kaia decided to look for him and took Gadget's plane, but she went missing. One day, Kao had a dream in which Kaia tried to give him a message. After talking to his mother and receiving her advice, he decides to find Walt, who will help him locate his missing family. During Kao's training, he discovers the only memento of his father - the Eternal Gloves, which have a mind of their own. It turns out that Kao, as the titular kangaroo, is immune to the negative effects of his weapon. The player's task is to overcome numerous obstacles and find the missing Kao family.

## Development

Kao the Kangaroo was created and published by Tate Multimedia, the Polish studio that has previously developed all the other titles in the Kao series. The game's announcement took place in June 2020, coinciding with the series' 20th anniversary. In September of the same year, the first concept art and information about the game started to emerge. Development began shortly after the re-release of the series' second game, *Kao the Kangaroo: Round 2*, on Steam in 2019, following a popular ***#BringKaoBack*** campaign on social media. The unexpected success of the game's sales on the platform motivated Tate Multimedia to create a new installment.

The development team explored various ideas for the new game, including a remake of the third installment, Mystery of the Volcano, as well as a combat-focused game featuring an older version of Kao. Eventually, the decision was made to reboot the series entirely.

Firstly Tale decided to update Kao to change his visual look in order to modernize the character. Kao went through several design changes before Tate settled on the new look. Now his eyes have been moved to the inside of the head making Kao look more realistic while still retaining his cartoon features. His muscles and shoulders were marked to make him look more convincing as a young fighter.

The team has modernized the graphics to bring them in line with today's visual expectations while retaining their classic feel. The game features more combat compared to previous installments while retaining traditional platforming elements.

Kaja Borówko, the head of publishing at Tate Multimedia, stated that the new game offers a completely different approach to the story and the character. The announcement was accompanied by a brief gameplay clip showcasing early footage of Kao in a jungle environment. Unreal Engine 4 was used by Tate Multimedia to develop the game.

Although the original plan was to release the game in 2021, the developers later decided to postpone the release to May 2022.

Following the game’s release date, Tate Multimedia has confirmed that the game has been verified for Valve’s Steam Deck portable console and shared a DLC roadmap for the game, starting with the ***Summer Drip***, which includes two new outfits.

In July, Tate Multimedia reeleased a patch, which included fixes for missing runes, collision fixes, optimisations, and trophy and achievement fixes that blocked game progression.

In August 2022 a new patch was released that fix the missing scroll acquired after defeating Terror, fix some audio issues, add a save icon when saving the game, implement additional trophy and achievement fixes, as well as fixes for coin and crystal saving and the Oldest One boss fight.

***Top Of The Class*** DLC was released in September 2022 including two school-themed outfits for Kao, and was followed in October by the ***Oh! Well*** DLC, introducing five new bonus levels and five new spooky events in time for Halloween and a free DLC with a brand new costume based on the protagonist of 3D platformer Yooka-Laylee.

In November 2022 a new free DLC pack title ***VIP*** including three sci-fi themed costumes was released on GOG.com and in January 2023 for the others platforms.

In May 2023 was released ***Bend the Rool'es*** DLC featuring a new campaign with five stages with new ways to play, five challenges and a final boss. Also on this month was launched on all platforms the *Kao the Kangaroo: Anniversary Edition!* a special edition containing the base game, the previously released Oh! Well DLC and the Bend the Roo’les DLC. Extra bonuses have been added to the PC edition containing an art book and the soundtrack.The base game was available for free on the Epic Games Store from May 4th to May 11th.

## Gameplay

Kao the Kangaroo is a classic 3D platformer and exploration game that places a strong emphasis on combat. Playing as Kao, players can unleash an array of abilities using his trusty boxing gloves, allowing for combos, dodges, and ground pounds. These gloves possess a remarkable feature - the ability to harness elemental powers, which prove invaluable during exploration. Initially armed with fire gloves, players can unlock ice and electricity charges, enabling them to burn away obstructive spider webs or freeze water to reach new areas. A rage meter also comes into play, increasing with consecutive hits on enemies and ultimately enabling Kao to deliver a devastating finishing blow.

Embarking on this thrilling adventure, players will encounter a variety of collectible items within the levels. These include the letters K, A, and O, crystals, scrolls offering further insights into the game, and ducats, which can be spent on acquiring additional skins, lives, and energy heart pieces. However, the most coveted collectibles are the runes, essential for unlocking sealed portals scattered throughout the levels. Explorers should keep an eye out for totems as well, as they can either generate power charges or hold boomerangs that Kao can wield against objects and enemies.

As players progress through the game's levels, they will encounter purple portals leading to the Eternal Wells. These wells present challenges such as defeating waves of enemies or completing intricate platforming tasks, rewarding players with coins and diamonds. Kao's resourcefulness becomes evident as he employs his ears to climb vines, navigates floating grappling hooks, and unveils temporary platforms by striking purple crystals. Each of the game's four worlds culminates in a thrilling boss fight, introducing new strategies and tactics for players to master.

### Levels

Hopalloo Island Homeworld
 Walt's Dojo
 The Dark Forest
 Terror's Lair
 The Lava Caves

The Hungry Jungle Homeworld
 The Durian Valley
 River Track
 Monkey Park
 The Jungle Throne

The Frozen Mountains Homeworld
 The Frosty Canyon
 The Icy Slopes
 The Hot Springs
 Temple Of Spirits

The Isle Of Eternity
 The Crystal Caverns
 The Icy Slopes
 The Eternal Chambers

## Additional content

* Summer Drip
* Top of the Class
* Oh! Well
* Yooka Laylee X Kao the Kangaroo
* VIP
* Bend the Roo'les

## Videos

Kao the Kangaroo - Announcement TrailerKao the Kangaroo - Release the Power of the Gloves!-2Kao the Kangaroo - Launch TrailerKao the Kangaroo - Summer Drip Free DLCKao the Kangaroo - Top of the Class Free DLC (Available Now!)Kao the Kangaroo - Oh! Well DLC AnnouncementKao the Kangaroo x Yooka-Laylee Free DLC (Available Now!)Kao the Kangaroo - VIP FREE DLC - AVAILABLE NOWKao the Kangaroo - BEND THE ROO'LES DLC
## References

1. ↑ Kao The Kangaroo - Twitter
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tate Multimedia on rebooting Kao, and the gentle art of nostalgia - GamesIndustry.biz
3. ↑ Exclusive: Kao The Kangaroo Artist Talks Redesigning A Mascot For The Modern Age - Nintendo Life
4. ↑ Kao The Kangaroo Gets Verified For Steam Deck, DLC Roadmap Revealed - Simple Gamer
5. ↑ Kao the Kangaroo content roadmap shared - GoNintendo
6. ↑ Kao the Kangaroo is Getting Free Yooka-Laylee DLC - PlayStation Trophies
7. ↑ Kao the Kangaroo VIP DLC Out Now - Twitter
8. ↑ Kao the Kangaroo: Anniversary Edition and “Bend the Roo’les” DLC announced, content roadmap shared - GoNintendo
9. ↑ Kao the Kangaroo DLC ‘Bend the Roo’les’ now available, base game free via Epic Games Store until May 11 - Gematsu