You don't need to know kung fu to master “Kung Fu Panda” and enjoy doing so.
The THQ title is based on the Dreamworks film of the same name, which features the mercurial voice of Jack Black attached to a graceless panda named Po. In the game, Po must prove his martial arts skills to the fellow fighters in his village after the panda is shockingly and inadvertantly chosen to defend it against Tai Lung, a vengeful warrior threatening to return there.
The game play initially looks to stumble into lagging beat-'em-up territory, but it integrates fun platforming to an almost equal extent. When Po isn't saving rabbits from small-to-medium-size warthog hordes, players must guide his girthy frame across tightropes with steady control of the nunchuk or barrel down chutes in Po's cannonball posture.
The game hits some exciting peaks when the platforming and combat come together in Po's training levels. For a game targeted toward the same children who enjoy the film, its design smartly errs on the side of ease but without decreasing the difficulty too much.
The combat also reveals some depth over the course of the game. The first few levels require little more than straight button-mashing to advance, but as Po trains under Master Shifu, mastering Po's arsenal of attacks becomes pivotal. Depending on the foe, fast or powerful attacks offer advantages.
Several strikes are controlled with Wiimote gestures, including one fun charge that involves tilting your wrists in opposite directions like a double palm strike to an opponent's chest. These controls blend well with the button controls to make for a smooth combat experience that doesn't grow tiresome.
“Kung Fu Panda's” passable graphics are redeemed by Black's lively exclusive voice work for the game. The lack of his more notable castmates, such as Angelina Jolie and Dustin Hoffman, is faintly noticeable.
As other summer movies spawn lackluster tie-in games, “Kung Fu Panda” lands a rare one-two punch with both an impressive film and a consistently fun game.
Staff writer David Wilcox reviews video games for The Citizen. He can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you play
Game: “Kung Fu Panda”
Score: B+
Parental rating: E for everyone 7 and older
Publisher: Activision
Developer: XPEC
Platform: Wii (also available for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS and Windows
Price: $49.99
Features: 1 player, online
Life span: 10 hours
The final boss: “Kung Fu Panda” executes its action-adventure game play like a skilled student of the martial arts.
The game play initially looks to stumble into lagging beat-'em-up territory, but it integrates fun platforming to an almost equal extent. When Po isn't saving rabbits from small-to-medium-size warthog hordes, players must guide his girthy frame across tightropes with steady control of the nunchuk or barrel down chutes in Po's cannonball posture.
The game hits some exciting peaks when the platforming and combat come together in Po's training levels. For a game targeted toward the same children who enjoy the film, its design smartly errs on the side of ease but without decreasing the difficulty too much.
The combat also reveals some depth over the course of the game. The first few levels require little more than straight button-mashing to advance, but as Po trains under Master Shifu, mastering Po's arsenal of attacks becomes pivotal. Depending on the foe, fast or powerful attacks offer advantages.
Several strikes are controlled with Wiimote gestures, including one fun charge that involves tilting your wrists in opposite directions like a double palm strike to an opponent's chest. These controls blend well with the button controls to make for a smooth combat experience that doesn't grow tiresome.
“Kung Fu Panda's” passable graphics are redeemed by Black's lively exclusive voice work for the game. The lack of his more notable castmates, such as Angelina Jolie and Dustin Hoffman, is faintly noticeable.
As other summer movies spawn lackluster tie-in games, “Kung Fu Panda” lands a rare one-two punch with both an impressive film and a consistently fun game.
Staff writer David Wilcox reviews video games for The Citizen. He can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you play
Game: “Kung Fu Panda”
Score: B+
Parental rating: E for everyone 7 and older
Publisher: Activision
Developer: XPEC
Platform: Wii (also available for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS and Windows
Price: $49.99
Features: 1 player, online
Life span: 10 hours
The final boss: “Kung Fu Panda” executes its action-adventure game play like a skilled student of the martial arts.
