Tak and the Power of JuJu (PS2)

Product description ------------------- Tak and the Power of JuJu (PS2) .co.uk Review ------------- Tak and the Power of JuJu is a cartoon-styled action platformer. Like most action platformers it has a cute main character, an ineffectual bad guy and lots of running and jumping over...platforms. The problem for any new platformer appearing today is that it's such an old and long-ago-mastered genre that any new game has got to have something pretty special in order to stand out. Tak's primary attempt at a unique selling point (apart from the fact that it was made in conjunction with Nickelodeon) revolves around the various animal-based puzzles (all the villagers have been turned into sheep by the aforementioned bad guy) created by various inter-species rivalries (orang-utans hate sheep for some reason) and bribery with food. This aspect of the game can occasionally be inspired but unfortunately the solution to each puzzle is rarely less than obvious. The rest of the game is strictly by-the-numbers, with inconsequential combat, an obtuse camera system and far too many objects to pick up. Tak and the Power of JuJu is by no means a bad game--it is in fact a slightly above average game--but it's unlikely to enthral unless you've really not played this sort of thing before. And if you haven't then the likes of Jak II ( /exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=video-games-uk&field-keywords=jak/${0} ), Ratchet & Clank 2 ( /exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=video-games-uk&field-keywords=ratchet%20clank/${0} ), Ape Escape 2 ( /exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=video-games-uk&field-keywords=ape%20escape%202/${0} ) and ICO ( /exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=video-games-uk&field-keywords=ico/${0} ) come much more highly recommended. --David Jenkins

• Non-linear platform adventure.
• Combination of exploration, action and puzzle solving.
• Use the environment to advance through the game.
• Combine animal interactions, s, weapons and water to summon Jujus.
• Special Juju powers and power-ups are granted.
• Master an extensive inventory.
• For 1 player.