Legend of Kay Anniversary

Game Info

Legend of Kay was originally released many moons ago on the PlayStation 2, in 2005 to be exact.  Later it was then re-released for the uber popular Nintendo handheld, the DS in 2010.  Finally The Legend of Kay Anniversary has now found it’s way to the PC, PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Wii U in the form of an HD remake from Kaiko and Nordic Games.  While the game has received a nice looking coat of paint, it still ultimately faces some of the shortcomings it had in it’s original release.

The story (and unfortunately the voice-acting) has remained virtually untouched. The setting takes us to the mythical land of Yenching where there are four many species inhabiting the land: cats, rabbits, pandas and frogs.  While these four groups of animals have managed to prosper and live in harmony, the gorillas and rats have started gaining power and are now threatening the lands.  It is your duty to take the controls of the young Kay who is a ninja cat of sorts and go on a platforming adventure to save Yenching.

The controls at first will feel ok and you will think that you have them mastered by the time you leave the cliche starting area.  As you start getting to areas of increased difficulty though you will realize that the combat system is heavily lacking when you are fighting groups of 8 or 9 enemies.  While recent action games such as the Batman: Arkham series and Shadows of Mordor have taken group fights to the next level, Legend of Kay remains stuck in 2005 with clunky controls.  The jumping and platforming feels fine throughout the game but the fighting will leave you frustrated and demanding better physics.

The health system is done with hearts a la The Legend of Zelda style but thats’s really the only comparison.  You can gain health and magic from pots and other breakable items and by killing enemies.  You can also unleash a floating jump maneuver (sorry, just thought of Vince McMahon’s classic commentary phrase, “What a maneuver!”) by performing combos and then hiting the jump button in the direction of a floating combo jump totem thingy.  Sounds weird I know, but it works and makes for some good platforming.

The game has a few different level types to break up the normal fetch quests in the form of races.  While another messy affair with controls, they are fun and seriously who doesn’t want to ride on a boar, wolf or dragon?  The races will have you trying to collect items and avoid obstacles as you navigate through sometime very tight areas.  Some of these race will require memorization and quick reflexes but are overall satisfying when you finish them.

The graphics in the game are completely overhauled for the better.  The environments have a beautiful cartoon-like look to them and use a vibrant array of colors.  The animals all have a great detailed look and have a nice furry exterior. The music in the game is well done and fits each environment as you traverse between jungles, marshes and other landscapes.  One of the huge negatives to the title is the horrific voice acting.  This should have been completed changed and instead was left untouched.  I love when a game is completely voice acted as it draws you in with a more cinematic approach but in this title it almost ruins it.  I’ve heard better acting in the old after school specials.

The Recommendation

If and only if you are looking for a 3D platformer in the year of 2015, then since there aren’t too many choices anymore, Legend of Kay Anniversary will do.  If you missed any of the Super Mario Galaxy, Ratchet & Clank’s, Jak & Daxter’s or any other classic game, there is definitely better experiences to be had there.  The story and the platforming is good, but the fighting and atrocious voice acting takes this game down a few pegs.