Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams

Written by Glenn Wigmore  on March 04, 2005

Review: The power of JuJu compels you!!!

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Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams is a follow up to Tak and the Power of JuJu, which was released back in the fall of 2003. Both games share a certain УstandardФ action/platformer style that has you traversing vibrant landscapes while collecting items, solving basic puzzles and dealing with hazards. The initial game was a solid title that played reasonably well for fans of the genre. This time around, Tak 2 goes for a simpler and more straightforward approach that makes the game a bit easier. This doesn't mean that the game won't get vague or confusing with its navigation from time to time, but it definitely seems to be a lot more accessible to players of all ages.

The basic story for Tak 2 revolves around the bigheaded, spiky-haired hero Tak after he successfully bested the villainous Tlaloc in the first game. Now he has gone into a deep sleep and must navigate a Уdream world,Ф but he does wake up soon after you start so you'll be traveling around more familiar locations as well. In the dream world, Tak has been instructed to rescue a princess form the Dream Guardian and if he doesn't succeed, he will be lost to sleep forever. Returning to the story is Jibolba, the shaman leader for the Papanunu people, as well as the all bark and no bite warrior Lok. Jibolba will help you on your quest with advice for what to do in a given situation and he also figures into gameplay quite prominently Ц more on this later. Lok will mostly hinder your process of exploration and advancement (usually in cutscene form), but is actually quite amusing when he does. Either way, your journey will have you traversing the real world to help find out how to deal with the dream world. Oh yeah, it should be noted that the principle characters have big, honkin' noses, too.

Tak 2 plays similarly to other games that have come before (several of which are better examples of the genre), including the Rayman series and Beyond Good and Evil. In fact, Tak 2 is very similar to BG&E in that you have an alternative looking main character that runs around in vibrantly colored environments while disposing of odd-looking villains with a staff; both games also contain dark dream-like elements. The visual style employed by the game is also similar to BG&E and this is particularly clear in the dream sequences, as the watercolor effect is quite similar, and the look of the enemies is comparable (It must be said again, though: BG&E this game ain't).

This being said, Tak 2 doesn't lift any one formula to the point of Уcopycat, copycat!Ф and it does manage to throw in some puzzle and mini game sequences that are actually quite entertaining. The aforementioned combat consists of some basic combos and jump attacks that utilize your Уthwack.Ф You'll also use JuJu power to fuel up your jumps and strikes, and eventually you'll be able to deliver devastating ground pounds and run much faster. Enemies are reasonably varied, with each world having its own selection. Some of the enemies in the real world include Уwoodies,Ф which attack you in packs, as well as shaman, who resurrect the dead and hurl energy attacks at you. The dream world is populated by УblobbiesФ and these bulbous hunks of goo often carry shields to defend themselves. The dream world itself is kind of an enemy, as you'll have to jump from one hunk of earth to the next, all the while УdestroyingФ the pit guardians (who let you out of the dream world for a time) and the infestation of nightmares, which appear as vines and craggy rocks that darken the landscape. None of this combat, in either world, is particularly difficult and you never really die in Tak 2 so you won't get frustrated in dealing with many adversaries. The only issue that might arise is actually finding them, as some enemies are hidden and can effectively cause damage from afar, especially when others are attacking you simultaneously.

The other elements of Tak 2's gameplay include the puzzle solving, collecting and mini game elements. You'll be constantly on the hunt for feathers, which serve as collectibles and also lead you to objectives throughout each level. As a navigations system, these aren't the greatest thing to use (a map would've been nice), but it does keep the progression throughout the levels somewhat non-linear, even though, ultimately, you'll move through the game in quite a direct fashion. You can also collect other items that can combine together (using JuJu recipe cards) in order to unlock extras that can be accessed from the game's main screen. The puzzle elements are fairly basic and sometimes involve switches or patterns, but a lot of what you'll be doing is figuring out how to get one object or person to interact with another, which usually sets off a chain reaction that gets you what you need. Aiding this process is Jibolba, who helps you on your adventures by turning himself into a flea. In this mode, he can be thrown at animals that are impeding your progress, and can either put them to sleep or bite them into action (this usually results in them running off into a desired direction). Some of the animals you will deal with include bears, squirrels, beavers and boars, and each behaves differently depending on how you go about interacting with it. In fact, later on in the game Tak can actually turn into these animals to solve puzzles and problems more directly. All of these loose puzzle elements are handled reasonably well, and coupled with the combat they make for a solid gameplay experience. It should be said that the camera system, like in many other comparable games, is not stellar, but does manage to get the job done.

There are also some memorable mini game / race sequences throughout where you'll be riding in barrels, snowboarding down slopes and more. These are actually quite well done and serve as a good change of pace from the majority of the game. The barrel riding sequence is particularly good, with Tak (and Jibolba) flying down a stream full of rapids that leads to a waterfall, all the while avoiding fallen logs and rocks Ц quite entertaining stuff here.

All of this gameplay comes together fairly well and manages to create a sense of purpose when playing through the game. It never feels like a groundbreaking experience, yet it doesn't feel completely run-of-the-mill either. The story is average and plays out solidly over the game's 20+ levels, of which you can expect to take about 12-15 hours to finish.

Visually, Tak 2 both borrows from other franchises and creates some interesting touches on its own. The character models all look intentionally goofy, and this aids the whimsy and charm that the game scrappily manages to establish. All of Tak's people have a look that is interesting, but also sympathetic. Similarly, the various JuJu spirits you will call up are amusing too look at and creatively thought out in their mannerisms. The landscapes are often kind of drab and repetitive, but some areas do have some great elements that make the game world come alive. Water is a great example of this, as it is done extremely well in Tak 2. In addition, the bridges, zip lines, platforms, caves and features of each area add a distinct look and manage to fill out the game nicely. As said, the dream world has some good visual flair, with the edges of the screen being blurred and the alternate color palette coming to mind immediately. Nothing is a standout here, but the look is solid and consistent so no major fault can really be assessed.

Audio also holds its own and manages to assist with the silliness of the adventures and the whimsy of the story and characters. The voice acting is particularly good, with veteran Rob Paulsen taking on several characters, Patrick Warburton adding much humor as Lok, and Jennifer Hale (Dr. Naomi Hunter from MGS) making an appearance. The music and sound effects add to the feel, but don't show tremendous variety nor do they cull out any deep emotions. The music in the dream world is actually quite effective, but everywhere else it is standard fare.

Tak 2 also supports a bevy of extras, including several mini games (some of which can be played by 2 people). Earning these extras involves mixing items collected in the story mode according to specified amounts on recipe cards you will find. Many of the mini games available are actually quite fun and are a pleasant surprise from a game like this. Granted, while the two-player support is nice, it is a bit odd as the other player would likely not have played the game, but nevertheless this was a nice addition.

Tak 2 is a very solid, slightly above average action platformer. What you have in this game are interesting characters, a solid story, passable presentation, and reasonably well-executed gameplay. Younger players will definitely get right into Tak 2, but there is an appeal here for people who were fans of the first game or who just can't get enough of these 3D platformers.