Okabu Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: PS3
Dev: HandCircus
Pub: HandCircus
Release: October 18, 2011
Players: 1-2
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p	Mild Fantasy Violence

However, that's really where the good news ends; the sound design in Okabu is extremely uneven. The background music is composed of a variety of African-inspired rhythms, but during story scenes and end-level scoring, the sound disappears completely. No music, no sound effects; just jarring, eerie silence. You never really know how important sound is until there is none at all. And trust me, the experience is a little creepy.

Okabu Screenshot

Okabu is a game that suffers from being a little too paint-by-numbers. It works sufficiently as a generic platform game, but when gamers have so many choices available, I doubt they would go with something that is as basic as Okabu. The level design is completely uninspired, the puzzles are obvious, and the game will present no challenge to even the most novice of gamers. An argument could be made that this title is trying to reach out to the younger sect (though I don't get much of a kiddie vibe from this title), but I think even youngsters who pick up Okabu will feel insulted by the game's poor level design and want something just a little more challenging.

Couple this with the game's bland story and poor sound design, and you've got a game that just barely manages to be average. I have to hand it to the visual design team, as the game really does look beautiful, but the sad fact is that playing the game just feels dull.

A game with a message doesn't have to be boring, but this one doesn't work very hard to break free from the stereotype. Okabu is just a little too generic to be worth your time, which is a shame, considering I would have liked to play a fun game about saving the planet. I guess I'll have to go back to crossing my fingers and hoping someone makes a halfway decent Captain Planet game.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Senior Contributing Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.0

Graphics
Visual style is top-notch. The world of Okabu is very well-presented.

3.0

Control
Single-button controls work very well and are easy to work with.

2.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Background music is fairly generic but it's the long periods of awkward silence that ruin the sound design.

2.0

Play Value
Level design is far too simplistic and replay value is nonexistent.

2.5

Overall Rating - Average
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

In this brand-new action-puzzler from the creators of Rolando, guide Kumulo, Nimbe and four cloud-flying heroes as they battle to save their people and their world from the industrialized threat of the Doza.

Dive into a hyper-tactile toybox world filled with a huge number of puzzles, playthings, adorable creatures, and devious machines spread across an epic co-op campaign.

Designed to be instantly accessible to both seasoned players and those new to PlayStation, Okabu is even more fun when played with a friend.