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Monterey Jack's Kid Chameleon Review
Kid Chameleon
NOTE: This review is based off of what I played on Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, so if there are any differences between it and the original Genesis version and you're going "wait what that ain't true", well, now you know to watch for those instances.
Catches you off guard.
Kid Chameleon is a reasonably good platformer. On the surface, it looks generic, and I'm not going to lie to you, without the power helmet gimmick, this would be a pretty generic platformer not worth your time, either on any of the Genesis compilation discs, or the actual cartridge itself. I understand that a lot of people like this one, but I must confess - I don't. Me playing through this game just to review it was a labor of love. It's not that it's bad or anything, but it's just not that great to me. It's worth giving a shot, because it's well designed and fairly challenging at points, but make sure you set aside a day - something a non-RPG game on the Genesis doesn't normally do.
Attack of the killer virtual reality game!
The basic premise behind Kid Chameleon is that a kid cooler than cool checks out this arcade game called Wild Side after hearing that kids never come out of it. He soon realizes why it is - because the virtual reality becomes very real, pretty much to the point of being real, and if you die in the game, you die in real life, too. Good thing we're not playing for keeps here. But ultimately, other than the kid who looks more like the Fonz's son, the story is forgettable and just an excuse to play the game.
Super Chameleon Bros.
As I said in the intro, Kid Chameleon plays out like other platformers. You run, jump and sometimes swim your way through from one end to the other. If you've played any other platformer, especially Super Mario Brothers, it's pretty cut and dry, and thankfully, the Sega team behind this game aren't slackers, managing some pretty good controls. The run and jump buttons work finely, and the d-pad moves the kid smoothly... maybe too smoothly, since he slides around a bit here and there, especially when he's running and especially in the air, as if we're on an ice level or something. It's the only real gripe in the short run, but it's overcomable, so don't get pissy when you're sliding around the joint - you can adapt.
What you also gathered from the intro is that you can use a different array of powers. Smash a P block and either a diamond or a helmet will come out. Don a helmet once it comes out of the box, and you'll gain access to different powers. From ramming walls down with your armored head and somehow gaining the ability to climb, to throwing axes, and to thrusting with a samurai sword, there are a decent variety of powers at your disposal. You can also use a special ability once you collect 20 diamonds to really kick some ass, especially when against bosses.
The levels are well designed, managing to keep you challenged throughout by tossing some curve balls your way every now and again. It forces you to get used to the controls, since there will be some precision jumping every so often. On top of this, as you progress, the levels get bigger, and open up some more paths to take, so on your first playthrough, you can't experience all that a level or even every level that the game has to offer, because they take you to different parts of future levels. There is a slight problem in that the levels begin to feel samey after a while, but given the vast amount of levels to traverse, that's an inevitability.
In the end, it's a well constructed game. Nothing wrong, right? Wrong!
The game suffers from one big problem - too many levels. Somewhere in Sega, somebody had to have been thinking "guys, do you think that's enough", because 100 levels is quite a lot. The levels start off small-ish, but end up getting pretty big, and in the end, it all adds up. Expect a good few hours munched by the sheer size of this beast! For most, this isn't too much, but for me, given that all you're really doing is jumping some platforms and using helmets to go through some walls or kill some enemies, this game gets awfully boring. I'm aware that modern games have you doing the same things for much longer, but in games made in the early 90s, the only reason it takes a while is because you're trying to conquer tough obstacles. Here, oh, you're conquering tough obstacles, but you'll be doing it for so long, that your head might explode. Add on a lack of password or saving feature, and this game is nothing more than a marathon that's hard to run.
It's like being inside an arcade game!
It might not look like it at first glance, but Kid Chameleon is one of the best looking Genesis games out there, right up next to Sonic The Hedgehog, Comiz Zone and Ristar. The backgrounds, given the Genesis's hardware, are pretty colorful and fairly detailed. They could've been pricks and just lazily design the levels with bugger all detail, given that there are 100 levels, but nope, the artists are awesome enough to give each level design detail and aesthetically pleasing colors. On top of this, the sprites look pretty good. Kid starts off generic, but the helmets transform him into cool looking characters that look like they can kick ass.
Same deal with the soundtrack. You won't feel it at first, but give it a little time, and you'll agree with me when I say that this is a pretty good soundtrack. Now, this isn't exactly the best soundtrack in the world. The tracks are good and all fitting to their locations (urban for cities, tribal music for jungles, etc) and whatnot, though they're not the most memorable of the bunch. They're better suited for the game, rather than listening without playing.
Marathon worth running?
Kid Chameleon is a pretty good game, but with it's somewhat sensitive movement controls and gargantuan length (for the time) coupled with no save/password feature will test the players' patience. Platformer fanatics will eat this up, but other folks may pass it up in fear of being ingested by the sheer force of this game's length. Could always try this out on an emulator or on either of the Genesis Collection discs (PS2/PSP or PS3/360 ones - take your pick), just to see if you can get into it. Your choice, really. Just know that it's a good game.
Scores:
Story: 7/10
Usual setting up the scene stuff. Not memorable beyond the main character in the intro scene.
Gameplay: 8/10
Imagine a well designed platformer with awesome level designs and a fairly cool gimmick in a simple yet challenging affair. Now imagine you're so good at it, you can't possibly fail. Now imagine you're still going through this, well up to level 35. Yeah, too long, and without a password or save feature, this is a marathon.
Controls: 8/10
Movement is a bit slippery, but the other controls, from the jumping to the power activation, are responsive and well done.
Graphics: 10/10
It can't be denied that this game looks nice, with some colorful landscapes and whatnot. One of the best looking Genesis games out there.
Sound: 7/10
The tunes sound nice, but nothing I'd put on a top 10 list of best Genesis OSTs or anything. Nothing too memorable, either. Sound effects, as per usual, are inconsequential, except for when you die... almost on the same level as the dialogue from Altered Beast.
Overall: 8/10
Catches you off guard.
Kid Chameleon is a reasonably good platformer. On the surface, it looks generic, and I'm not going to lie to you, without the power helmet gimmick, this would be a pretty generic platformer not worth your time, either on any of the Genesis compilation discs, or the actual cartridge itself. I understand that a lot of people like this one, but I must confess - I don't. Me playing through this game just to review it was a labor of love. It's not that it's bad or anything, but it's just not that great to me. It's worth giving a shot, because it's well designed and fairly challenging at points, but make sure you set aside a day - something a non-RPG game on the Genesis doesn't normally do.
Attack of the killer virtual reality game!
The basic premise behind Kid Chameleon is that a kid cooler than cool checks out this arcade game called Wild Side after hearing that kids never come out of it. He soon realizes why it is - because the virtual reality becomes very real, pretty much to the point of being real, and if you die in the game, you die in real life, too. Good thing we're not playing for keeps here. But ultimately, other than the kid who looks more like the Fonz's son, the story is forgettable and just an excuse to play the game.
Super Chameleon Bros.
As I said in the intro, Kid Chameleon plays out like other platformers. You run, jump and sometimes swim your way through from one end to the other. If you've played any other platformer, especially Super Mario Brothers, it's pretty cut and dry, and thankfully, the Sega team behind this game aren't slackers, managing some pretty good controls. The run and jump buttons work finely, and the d-pad moves the kid smoothly... maybe too smoothly, since he slides around a bit here and there, especially when he's running and especially in the air, as if we're on an ice level or something. It's the only real gripe in the short run, but it's overcomable, so don't get pissy when you're sliding around the joint - you can adapt.
What you also gathered from the intro is that you can use a different array of powers. Smash a P block and either a diamond or a helmet will come out. Don a helmet once it comes out of the box, and you'll gain access to different powers. From ramming walls down with your armored head and somehow gaining the ability to climb, to throwing axes, and to thrusting with a samurai sword, there are a decent variety of powers at your disposal. You can also use a special ability once you collect 20 diamonds to really kick some ass, especially when against bosses.
The levels are well designed, managing to keep you challenged throughout by tossing some curve balls your way every now and again. It forces you to get used to the controls, since there will be some precision jumping every so often. On top of this, as you progress, the levels get bigger, and open up some more paths to take, so on your first playthrough, you can't experience all that a level or even every level that the game has to offer, because they take you to different parts of future levels. There is a slight problem in that the levels begin to feel samey after a while, but given the vast amount of levels to traverse, that's an inevitability.
In the end, it's a well constructed game. Nothing wrong, right? Wrong!
The game suffers from one big problem - too many levels. Somewhere in Sega, somebody had to have been thinking "guys, do you think that's enough", because 100 levels is quite a lot. The levels start off small-ish, but end up getting pretty big, and in the end, it all adds up. Expect a good few hours munched by the sheer size of this beast! For most, this isn't too much, but for me, given that all you're really doing is jumping some platforms and using helmets to go through some walls or kill some enemies, this game gets awfully boring. I'm aware that modern games have you doing the same things for much longer, but in games made in the early 90s, the only reason it takes a while is because you're trying to conquer tough obstacles. Here, oh, you're conquering tough obstacles, but you'll be doing it for so long, that your head might explode. Add on a lack of password or saving feature, and this game is nothing more than a marathon that's hard to run.
It's like being inside an arcade game!
It might not look like it at first glance, but Kid Chameleon is one of the best looking Genesis games out there, right up next to Sonic The Hedgehog, Comiz Zone and Ristar. The backgrounds, given the Genesis's hardware, are pretty colorful and fairly detailed. They could've been pricks and just lazily design the levels with bugger all detail, given that there are 100 levels, but nope, the artists are awesome enough to give each level design detail and aesthetically pleasing colors. On top of this, the sprites look pretty good. Kid starts off generic, but the helmets transform him into cool looking characters that look like they can kick ass.
Same deal with the soundtrack. You won't feel it at first, but give it a little time, and you'll agree with me when I say that this is a pretty good soundtrack. Now, this isn't exactly the best soundtrack in the world. The tracks are good and all fitting to their locations (urban for cities, tribal music for jungles, etc) and whatnot, though they're not the most memorable of the bunch. They're better suited for the game, rather than listening without playing.
Marathon worth running?
Kid Chameleon is a pretty good game, but with it's somewhat sensitive movement controls and gargantuan length (for the time) coupled with no save/password feature will test the players' patience. Platformer fanatics will eat this up, but other folks may pass it up in fear of being ingested by the sheer force of this game's length. Could always try this out on an emulator or on either of the Genesis Collection discs (PS2/PSP or PS3/360 ones - take your pick), just to see if you can get into it. Your choice, really. Just know that it's a good game.
Scores:
Story: 7/10
Usual setting up the scene stuff. Not memorable beyond the main character in the intro scene.
Gameplay: 8/10
Imagine a well designed platformer with awesome level designs and a fairly cool gimmick in a simple yet challenging affair. Now imagine you're so good at it, you can't possibly fail. Now imagine you're still going through this, well up to level 35. Yeah, too long, and without a password or save feature, this is a marathon.
Controls: 8/10
Movement is a bit slippery, but the other controls, from the jumping to the power activation, are responsive and well done.
Graphics: 10/10
It can't be denied that this game looks nice, with some colorful landscapes and whatnot. One of the best looking Genesis games out there.
Sound: 7/10
The tunes sound nice, but nothing I'd put on a top 10 list of best Genesis OSTs or anything. Nothing too memorable, either. Sound effects, as per usual, are inconsequential, except for when you die... almost on the same level as the dialogue from Altered Beast.
Overall: 8/10
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