Tak and the Power of JuJu screenshots   The Final Say! Gameplay 8.0 Graphics 7.9 Sound 7.8 Value 8.0 Tak and the Power of JuJu -  reviewed by Andrew B  Review Date: April 2004 Review Score 7.9/10  Distributed By: THQ

Tak and Power of JuJu is the latest game from THQ that joins together with  America's top children's network, Nickelodean, to give gamers a new spin on 3D platformers. With that said, it should be noted that Tak and the Power of JuJu is aimed at the younger gamer but I'm sure the older more advanced player who loves platformers will also get something out of this cute and addictive title. Tak and the power of JuJu revolves around a child-like character called Tak who belongs to the legendary Pupanunu tribe. Unfortunately for the people of the Pupanunu tribe, an insidious shaman called Tlaloc has stolen an ancient artefact called the Moon Juju. With this powerful talisman, Tlaloc has enslaved the Pupanunu tribe by turning them all into sheep but fortunately for the people of the Pupanunu tribe, Tak as unaffected by the Moon Juju curse and now it is time for this boy to become and a man. The basic premise behind Tak and the Power of JuJu is that the game is a traditional 3D platformer game where the player must take control of Tak and navigate him in this beautifully designed 3D gaming environement. Tak can also perform a variety of manoeuvres that include jumps, double jumps, running, climbing, hanging, swinging, use the power of Juju and of course smash his enemies with his powerful green club. Apart from the usual attack the enemies storyline, Tak must also solve a variety of puzzles in the game that range from extremely easy to quite difficult. The developers have also added quite a few twists into the game (what 3D platformer doesn't do this anymore?) such as giving Tak a pole that can be used as either a pole-vault or as a blow dart. To spruce up the gaming environment even more, the developers have also introduced some exciting snowboarding action between levels. Graphically, Tak is a very nice looking game that contains some in-depth level design and some extremely impressive looking characters. Although no slow down occurs in Tak, the game does suffer from a variety of camera issues but fortunately it does not effect the gameplay of this rather addictive title. Tak himself is also well animated and contains some impressive looking texture details.

Apart from the impressive looking level designs that contain lush green forests or amazing water effects, the characters in the game look like they have been taken straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon show. Although they do look a little blocky, it does suit the title perfectly and put on some nice texture details and you have a match made in cartoon... well... gaming heaven.

The musical score of Tak features a rather addictive tune that nicely sits in the background of this game and really helps immerse the gamer into the title which I'm sure kids will thoroughly enjoy. The voice acting of the game has also been professionally done but unfortunately Tak gets a little annoying with his clichéd phrases that become quite repetitive like OWNED!

In conclusion, Tak and the power of Juju is a very "cute" game that after finishing this title, I can say that it is aimed at the younger gamer. With a sturdy gaming engine, some amazing graphics and special effects and of course a very interesting storyline, Tak is a great little arcade game that will probably take the average gamer around 20 hours to successfully complete. If you're after a 3D platformer with a difference, than this title is for you!

- Andrew B