This basically gives you the freedom to play any mini game as well as to practice your moves. You’ll finish the story mode within three or four hours, although Kung Fu Panda 2 also has a freeplay mode. All the mini games are fun and work well enough, and do help a little to add in a little variation. Finally, Target Practice has you lobbing rocks at distant targets, aiming with one hand and firing with the other, and repairing sections of a temple.
Noodle shop, on the other hand, has you dishing out noodles for customers, and, as it’s all colour coordinated, you’ll have to give the correct bowl to the correct customer. There are only three different mini games, one of which reminded me of Kinect Adventures, in which you barrel along on a rickshaw, avoiding obstacles and chasing down a foe. Indeed, the Occasional mini games in-between the fighting are a nice break from pretending to do kung fu. Sadly though, the game does begin to get repetitive, and even the inclusion of mini games isn’t quite enough. It’s fun, simple and responsive, and the only real problem I had was with the blocking, although when I learned that my arms should be positioned further from my body, I didn’t have any problems from then on. And when you’re on the defensive you’ll be dealing with surprise attacks, blocking enemy strikes and dodging out of the way. Kung Fu Panda 2 is basically a turn-based fighting game, in which when you’re on the offensive you’ll be physically kicking, punching, pulling off finishing moves by copying hand gestures on the screen, and using your voice to summon help.
Po, the giant panda, talks you through the game and you’ll soon realise that, while the game remains forever basic, additions are made as you progress, adding in a little extra complexity to the fighting. It’s a fighting game that doesn’t require any complex body movements, and has you becoming a big panda, kicking and punching your way through your enemies.Įven getting around the menus is fun and painless – using one hand to highlight your menu choice and the other to select it, with a very suitable punching motion. On the more positive side, Kung Fu Panda 2 with Kinect is the kind of simple fun that Microsoft probably envisioned third party companies would make for their device. There’s quite a number of cut-scenes, in fact for some, considering that they’re unskippable, there may even be a few too many for some. There’s wolves, gorillas, and komodo dragons causing chaos and it’s up to you, as Po, to find out the story behind the siege. The events of the story actually takes place after the events of those featured in the film. This is a game that could quite easily cause a family rift. It’s quite a strange decision – I can just imagine the temper tantrums of kids around the world right now, whom wanted to play the game tie-in, although their parents aren’t affluent enough to afford Kinect.
Kung Fu Panda 2 is one of those games that doesn’t just have Kinect control as one of its options, but you need Microsoft’s sensor in order to play the thing. Publisher – THQ – Developer – Griptonite Games – Genre – Fighting – Players – 1 – Age Rating – 7+ – Other console/handheld formats – PS3, Wii, DS