KAKU: Ancient Seal Review

A Breath of Fresh Air?

Meet Kaku, a young boy on a quest to restore balance to a sprawling continent. Armed with the companionship of Piggy (a flying pig), Kaku ventures through four elemental regions, engaging in combat, solving puzzles, and uncovering the mysteries of a world in peril.  Does KAKU: Ancient Seal live up to its premise or does it fall short?  Read on to find out!

A Familiar Hero’s Journey

KAKU: Ancient Seal is a single-player game which offers a blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving. You assume the role of Kaku, a determined young protagonist, and guide him as he journeys through a truly visually striking world. The narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling, character interactions, and occasional cutscenes. While the story serves as a foundation for the adventure, the game’s primary focus lies in its open-world exploration and dynamic combat.  While the story is a typical hero’s tale, the gameplay is reinforced by encouraging you to explore the impressive open world, featuring strong open-wo6.5/10rld elements and interactions throughout.

Thrilling or Tedious Combat?

Combat is a core pillar of KAKU: Ancient Seal, featuring a fast-paced and action-oriented system. Players utilise a variety of weapons, including swords, bows, and elemental staves, to defeat a range of enemies. The game introduces a robust elemental system, where Kaku can harness the power of fire, water, earth, and wind. Each element grants unique abilities, from creating firestorms to controlling water currents. Players can strategically switch between elements to exploit enemy weaknesses and overcome environmental challenges.  Battling enemies feels rewarding, despite most of the aforementioned combat interactions feeling strikingly similar to one another.  Every attack appears to have the same amount of weight behind it, regardless of the size or strength of the enemy. What saves the combat in KAKU: Ancient Seal from feeling tedious, however, is the relentless siege of foes attacking you simultaneously – the speed of enemies coming at you helps things to feel consistently progressive.

Overall, the combat system offers depth and variety through a skill tree that allows players to customise Kaku’s fighting style. As players progress, they unlock new combos, abilities, and elemental enhancements.

Beyond combat, Kaku’s ability to explore and interact with the environment is a core mechanic. Players can manipulate elements to solve puzzles, create shortcuts, or even defeat enemies in creative ways. The world is filled with hidden paths, secrets, and challenges. Players can climb, glide, and swim, utilising Kaku’s agility to reach previously inaccessible areas.  The elemental system is also cleverly integrated into the game world, offering a sense of discovery and experimentation.

While the core mechanics are engaging, however, some repetitive enemy encounters and predictable puzzle designs can hinder the overall experience. Additionally, the game’s difficulty curve can be inconsistent, with some challenges feeling simple and others unnecessarily punishing.

A Visual Feast for the Eyes

Visually, KAKU: Ancient Seal at once looks alarmingly similar to another game that I have reviewed in the past.  It looks stunning, boasting a vibrant and stylised art style that brings the game world bursting into life. The environments are diverse and meticulously crafted, with attention to detail evident in both the flora and fauna surrounding you at every turn. Character models are expressive and well-animated and immediately likeable.

KAKU: Ancient Seal’s audio design complements its atmosphere with a dynamic score that adapts to gameplay moments.  When exploring, you are presented with a calm, pleasant soundtrack, which descends rapidly into a powerful, doom-riddled score whenever you encounter an enemy.  Sound effects are crisp and immersive, enhancing the overall experience. While there is no voice acting, the game effectively conveys its narrative through visual and written storytelling.

Lasting Appeal or Short-Lived Adventure?

There is plenty to do in KAKU: Ancient Seal as it offers a substantial amount of content, such as multiple regions to explore, various side quests, and hidden secrets too. It encourages exploration and experimentation, rewarding players for uncovering the mysteries contained within. While the main story can be completed within a reasonable timeframe, the game’s open-world nature and optional activities provide ample opportunities for extended gameplay.

Conclusion

KAKU: Ancient Seal is a captivating open-world adventure that delivers a satisfying blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving. Its vibrant world, engaging combat system, and simple yet intriguing story combine to create an immersive experience. While the game’s narrative may not be groundbreaking, it serves as a solid foundation for the core gameplay loop.  Repetitive combat is balanced by the adrenaline-pumping intensity and sheer scale of certain battles.  With its strong visuals, solid performance, and replayability, KAKU: Ancient Seal is a commendable entry into the action-adventure genre which is bound to entertain and engross for hours on end.

Grade: 8/10