Limited By Nothing

Two days ago I have written a somewhat lengthy post about the leaked screenshots of Banjo-Kazooie 3. From looking at those screenshots, I have concluded that the game will be mere average and that the new gameplay direction will work for the game. I have also said that I don’t want to be too judgmental, because it wouldn’t be fair until I have seen some actual gameplay footage.

Now the gameplay video has been released and my opinions have not changed. In fact, they have gotten more negative. While the concept of the game seems interesting, let’s face it, this just isn’t a Banjo game anymore. It’s LEGO Adventures mixed with a hint of Twisted Metal. If you watch the video, you can see some platforming elements thrown in there, but they seem tacked on even for this video. It looks like Rareware had a great concept idea, wasn’t sure how to deliver and market it, so they have slapped some familiar faces on the working product.

Now let’s be even more negative! Watch part 1:19 in the video and tell me that it doesn’t look like an early budget PlayStatyion 2 title. The design, the graphics, the animation. The game is still in development, so improvements can be expected, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Regardless of all this, I will most likely rent the game once it’s released. Even if so just to find out the secret behind the Ice Key and the colorful, magical eggs from the original games…