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Logo by Max Layne Photography
| Microsoft Xbox Live Arcade |
For those that have been missing the games of the past, such as “The Lost Vikings,” or for those younger gamers that are looking for a puzzle platform game, J. Kenworthy Entertainment
presents players with “Ancients of Ooga.” The game is about a primitive tribe of Gremlin-like creatures called Ooganis who had ignored the advice of their chiefs and befriended a group of
monsters called the Boolis. Once the Boolis creatures gained the Ooganis' trust they killed off the chiefs of the tribe and enslaved everyone else. Players take on the role of the Great Spirit of
Ooga and have been summoned to set the Ooganis free. Players will be tasked to travelling to each village, possessing the Ooganis as the Spirit of Ooga to do their bidding, and recruiting
members for a revolt against the Boolis creatures.
The ability to possess different characters is the primary game mechanic here, as well as what relates “Ancients of Ooga” to its predeccesor “The Lost Vikings.” A typical example used in the
game is using one Oogani to step on a single switch that opens a door, then possessing another Oogani to walk through and gain access to a new area. There are a variety of different types
of Oogani, all of which have unique abilities such as the power to spit fireballs or swim quickly through water.
Another activity that players will find themselves doing a lot in the game is putting things in their mouth, mostly to use at a later time. Ooganis, as players are told early in the game, have very
strong stomachs and can swallow almost anything. This is a pretty handy way of carrying items throughout the world for later use. Many of the puzzles in the game require players to bring
several items to a single location, but it is impossible to use ladders while the possessed Oogani is holding something in its hand. Players are able to stuff a couple objects, even other
Ooganis, in their mouth and regergitate them when they arrive at the destination where the objects are needed.
“Ancients of Ooga” has a playful sense of humor and the Oogani have some funny animations, but the humor in the game is mostly toilet humor that will probably be most appreciated by
younger gamers that think farts and burps are hilarious. However, it has to be noted that there is a lot of reading throughout the game, making the game less accessible to younger gamers,
and more accessible to older gamers that may not be into the toilet humor as much. That seems to be one of the problems with the game, no clear audience for game play.
Even though players won't find themselves breaking a sweat trying to reunitie the tribes, “Ancients of Ooga” is still a very entertaining game despite its lack of difficulty. By holding the left
trigger on the controller, players are able to see a map of the current level and the player’s objectives which are clearly noted by red arrows. Players always know where they need to go next,
but sometimes figuring out how to get to the next location may require a little thinking. Each village requires players to perform similar tasks so the game tends to be repetitive at times, but for
many players, especially younger gamers, it will take quite a bit of game play before all interest is lost in the game. What it really comes down to is whether or not the player enjoys the basic
possession and eating mechanics of the game. This game proves that sometimes simple and repetitive games can be quite fun, though that fun may have to be served in small doses.
It may be surprising to some players as they continue to work through this game, but “Ancients of Ooga” a long game, and one that will definitely give players their money’s worth with the $10
price tag that is attached. Each village is made up of several different levels, everything the player does in the game boosts their final score on the leaderboards, and a friend can join the fun
for local co-op play as well. There are hidden items to find throughout the entirety of the game and bonus challenges for those adventurous enough to work towards completing every element
of the game available.
There are some strange design choices that keep “Ancients of Ooga” from being an amazing game, but that is to be expected from any game, though it is often more likely to come from a
game that is published for online, downloadable use. Players are able to move back and forth in the game world but this ability doesn't seem to have any useful purpose. Instead, it means
picking up items isn't always as easy as it should be. Instead, simple left and right movement would have been easier to manage, especially for the younger gamers who need as few of
controls as possible to enjoy a game fully.
“Ancients of Ooga” is a lengthy puzzle platform game that brings players back to the simpler days of 16-bit gaming, such as “The Lost Vikings.” Younger players in particular, will enjoy the
lighthearted and gaseous humor and simple challenges. Even some older gamers looking for a relaxing game with a bit of gaming past will be delighted by the Oogani and their quest for
freedom.
presents players with “Ancients of Ooga.” The game is about a primitive tribe of Gremlin-like creatures called Ooganis who had ignored the advice of their chiefs and befriended a group of
monsters called the Boolis. Once the Boolis creatures gained the Ooganis' trust they killed off the chiefs of the tribe and enslaved everyone else. Players take on the role of the Great Spirit of
Ooga and have been summoned to set the Ooganis free. Players will be tasked to travelling to each village, possessing the Ooganis as the Spirit of Ooga to do their bidding, and recruiting
members for a revolt against the Boolis creatures.
The ability to possess different characters is the primary game mechanic here, as well as what relates “Ancients of Ooga” to its predeccesor “The Lost Vikings.” A typical example used in the
game is using one Oogani to step on a single switch that opens a door, then possessing another Oogani to walk through and gain access to a new area. There are a variety of different types
of Oogani, all of which have unique abilities such as the power to spit fireballs or swim quickly through water.
Another activity that players will find themselves doing a lot in the game is putting things in their mouth, mostly to use at a later time. Ooganis, as players are told early in the game, have very
strong stomachs and can swallow almost anything. This is a pretty handy way of carrying items throughout the world for later use. Many of the puzzles in the game require players to bring
several items to a single location, but it is impossible to use ladders while the possessed Oogani is holding something in its hand. Players are able to stuff a couple objects, even other
Ooganis, in their mouth and regergitate them when they arrive at the destination where the objects are needed.
“Ancients of Ooga” has a playful sense of humor and the Oogani have some funny animations, but the humor in the game is mostly toilet humor that will probably be most appreciated by
younger gamers that think farts and burps are hilarious. However, it has to be noted that there is a lot of reading throughout the game, making the game less accessible to younger gamers,
and more accessible to older gamers that may not be into the toilet humor as much. That seems to be one of the problems with the game, no clear audience for game play.
Even though players won't find themselves breaking a sweat trying to reunitie the tribes, “Ancients of Ooga” is still a very entertaining game despite its lack of difficulty. By holding the left
trigger on the controller, players are able to see a map of the current level and the player’s objectives which are clearly noted by red arrows. Players always know where they need to go next,
but sometimes figuring out how to get to the next location may require a little thinking. Each village requires players to perform similar tasks so the game tends to be repetitive at times, but for
many players, especially younger gamers, it will take quite a bit of game play before all interest is lost in the game. What it really comes down to is whether or not the player enjoys the basic
possession and eating mechanics of the game. This game proves that sometimes simple and repetitive games can be quite fun, though that fun may have to be served in small doses.
It may be surprising to some players as they continue to work through this game, but “Ancients of Ooga” a long game, and one that will definitely give players their money’s worth with the $10
price tag that is attached. Each village is made up of several different levels, everything the player does in the game boosts their final score on the leaderboards, and a friend can join the fun
for local co-op play as well. There are hidden items to find throughout the entirety of the game and bonus challenges for those adventurous enough to work towards completing every element
of the game available.
There are some strange design choices that keep “Ancients of Ooga” from being an amazing game, but that is to be expected from any game, though it is often more likely to come from a
game that is published for online, downloadable use. Players are able to move back and forth in the game world but this ability doesn't seem to have any useful purpose. Instead, it means
picking up items isn't always as easy as it should be. Instead, simple left and right movement would have been easier to manage, especially for the younger gamers who need as few of
controls as possible to enjoy a game fully.
“Ancients of Ooga” is a lengthy puzzle platform game that brings players back to the simpler days of 16-bit gaming, such as “The Lost Vikings.” Younger players in particular, will enjoy the
lighthearted and gaseous humor and simple challenges. Even some older gamers looking for a relaxing game with a bit of gaming past will be delighted by the Oogani and their quest for
freedom.
| Genre: Action Developer: J. Kenworthy Entertainment Publisher: NinjaBee |
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