by: Dakota Grabowski

October 19, 2005

If you have missed out on the previous installments and have no idea what I am speaking about, the Tak games are an action/adventure game. Tak isn’t your cheap imitation of Sonic or Mario. With Tak and the Great Juju Challenge, Tak is tasked upon going through a series of trials. These trials will not only have Tak being hard-pressed to complete them but Tak’s friend Lok is along for the journey. The Juju Challenge is more of timed trials as every mission is timed that you enter. So be prepared for less exploration and speedier gameplay.

Trials that Tak will have to overcome include fighting through huge linear levels that are full of enemies. The usual high platforms that require you to jump from platform to platform are there all included too. Puzzles and mini-games are of course included as they are in any type of adventure game. But ultimately, the biggest change is that every trial is timed and there are check points to alleviate the headaches of accomplishing your goals on time. It actually adds a whole new level of tension that was never included in the first game. The first game at times had the players bored out of their minds with nothing to do and such big levels to traverse through. Now with the race against time, you’ll want to explore but realize you have to meet your goal before the time runs out. Great to see that added as it will actually add replay for those who missed little things in the first run through.

Also add in the fact that after every mission, you’ll be award points on how well you performed within the level. If you have more time left on the clock, reached all the check points, killed all the enemies and so forth, you’ll in return receive more points. Quite simple if you ask me on how it all works but nice to see how everything turned out after you completed a level. I am glad to see that they changed up the gameplay from the usual “defeat the evil villain” to the whole “Olympic tournament” style of gameplay. Not only does it feel fresh, it just feels like they made the best decision for Tak’s direction.

With the addition of Lok, there has to be a difference in how the two play right? That’s correct. Lok is the stronger of the two as his strength allows him to pick up boulders and throw them if they are in his way. The strength also doesn’t weigh him down like Tak when he jumps. Lok also sports a giant hammer that is very handy in combat. With Lok being added, Co-operative play is available with the second player taking over the role as Lok. Lok also serves as a way for Tak to get to those hard to reach places – he’ll throw Tak up to the spot as he does have the strength like I mentioned.

I must mention that if you loved Super Mario Brothers 3, you may find a somewhat similar aspect taken from that legendary game. Tak & Lok are able to get into specialized suits that will give them special powers. Lok can jump into a lobster suit and will allow him to get into the water. It’s only special due to that Lok is scared of the water and won’t get into the water without the suit. Tak has his chicken suit return from the past and it is for him to take flight to different parts of the level.

The controls of Tak are not difficult to get used to at all. Double-jumping hasn’t been this easy in a long time. I haven’t ran across a problem yet in this category and shouldn’t be a problem if you look for controls with your platformers. If you have played any of the past games in the Tak series, you’ll feel comfortable for sure and never want to put the controller down. Children will easily pick up this up and run with it.

As for the graphics, Tak is full of detailed levels to pass through. Even though it doesn’t have cleverly designed characters that some other platformers have, they are cute and don’t strain the player at all from playing. The cut-scenes are humorous and actually bring to light some backstory. The voice acting is great and just like the original iteration; it caught me off guard with how great the dialogue was written. The music is right up there with the voice acting with having a great score that matches the genre.

Essentially this is actually Tak 3 but the developer’s didn’t want to throw on the number. With the lack of great platformers on the Xbox, pick up Tak for your own sake to fill that genre. Tak and the Great Juju Challenge rivals such platformers as Sly 3 on the PS2 with how great it is becoming. The slow progression it has taken over the past few years is a joy to see and I can’t wait to see the next Tak game. Until then, I have to find a way to watch the television show on Nickelodeon as I heard it is becoming quite popular nowadays on the channel.

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Tak and the Great Juju Challenge isn’t going to win Game of the Year awards but it will feed your need for any type of platforming you require. I have become fond of the series over the time it has been released so far and look forward to the next installment.

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