Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams

Written by Chris Reiter  on December 30, 2004

Review: Rock-a-bye Taky on the mountain top... When the staff glows the enemies will drop... When the barrel breaks the opening Tak will install... And down will come its wood shards, blockade in all.

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What was true last year still holds true to the next. Tak 2 is a really nice looking game, just like its predecessor was. Though, that's in part because they share the same build of quality. But that's not to say they're the same game. With whole new levels, new enemies, and new abilities to witness, there's plenty of freshness to see in Tak's world in a state that's as lovely as it was in the original. Colorful, vibrant...Tak's environments expose a natural beauty. With Tak, you'll stand on rocky platforms above flowing waterfalls beneath, and just gaze off into a stunning 3D background of mountains and sun in the distance. Across the jungle greens, trudging through, swamplands, and even passing through a technology-enhanced laboratory, Tak will get his fill of murky green waters, plant life, wooden bridges, muddy trails, and electrical wiring to go with it. And then there's Tak's obligation to live the dream of a dream in a dream, through a sort of bizarre purplish dimension that sends wavy lines to the sides of the screen. While everything in all different parts of Tak's world does situate itself for being charming, the one real problem is it's not as defined as it could be. The very grounds Tak step on appears smudged together a lot of the time. Different objects all look good too, but like the original, Tak 2 isn't the most texturally refined model of visual superiority you can find.

Good on the outside. Good on the upside and downside, and whatever side. Tak reappears as his usual brilliantly digital-coated self. His small yet muscular runt physique paints his body as a tough little guy. New to his wardrobe now is a cape, which red in color bounces along with him as he spins around, jumps up and down, floats through the air, and whacks his stick into an enemy lair. Running with Tak produces dust from the ground as before, and with all Tak's Juju powers, purple lightning-like light shows emerge from Tak's weaponry. He'll leap into the air and dive down or strike electrical bolts into any foe that gets near. Enemies also have their own acts, such as Woodies who get beat up and fall to pieces (being made of wood and all). But let me just point out again that while Tak's visuals are sufficient, they're not the best of the bunch. Bears don't have mountains and mountains of shaggy fur that wriggles when they shake water off themselves. Actually, that's not even an aspect of this game. Of course, that's not to say that's what Tak 2 is supposed to be. You graphic nuts might want that, but tough nuts to you guys. Tak 2 is an excellent looking game in its own right. It's simple, it's clean, it's colorful, and it's definitely got style.

Know what's funny? Tak 2's dialogue. That's what. Back again are the same unknown talents that gave a life of wonderful personality to their representative characters in the flock. You've got the old (but spunky) sounding Jibolba feeding Tak advice on his adventure whenever he could really use some. Lok's deep heroic voice kicks in as a recurring comic relief, always screwing up Tak's plans and getting himself into trouble like the brave (but dumbfounded) warrior he thinks he is. As for Tak, he's as lively as ever. His sly, kind of squeaky, but ultimately perfect voice adds a very nice ring to his charismatic attitude. And he uses that spark of his on the road ahead, where an array of appropriate synthesized music and effective audio sounds lead the way. Mixed between the musical tracks are light and sometimes quirky jungle-like themes that have a readily adventurous tone to work with the action on the screen. In which case brings to mind all the smacking, pounding, blasting, and fancy footwork that's done from Tak's point of view. Busting up Woodies disassembles their bodies with a plank falling noises. Light up Tak's Juju power and a mystical energetic sound follows. There are explosive sounds when Tak's using barrels to blow through wooden barriers and rocks, and sliding sounds when he's zooming down zip vines. Get it? A zip vine? Ha-ha? Sometimes though -- and this is a rare case -- the audio seems to disappear. At least in some form of way, when Tak approaches certain points, you'll only catch environmental aspects in motion like a set of gears, where Tak's actions appear to be drained from the picture temporarily. This is not a major problem, but it does come off as weird.