Kaze and the Wild Masks
Enjoyable rabbit adventure is a tribute to classic games.
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Kaze and the Wild Masks
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Kaze and the Wild Masks is an action/adventure game for Windows PCs, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia. There's mild fantasy violence, as the main character, Kaze, is a rabbit who must destroy evil vegetables by spinning its ears like nunchuku or stomping on enemies, which causes enemies to disappear in a puff of smoke. Bigger and badder boss characters may explode after being defeated. Downloadable content (DLC) is included, so future additional content could become available. Otherwise, there's no inappropriate content to be found in the game.
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What’s It About?
KAZE AND THE WILD MASKS takes the idea that it's not easy being a rabbit and brings it to life in a side-scrolling nod to '90s games. Players try to find their imprisoned friend, Hogo, and free the vegetables from a curse that has turned them all evil. You play as Kaze, a young rabbit taking on this quest across various lands by tapping into skills acquired from Wild Masks that grant powers from the tiger, eagle, shark, and other animals. As in other platformers, you'll hop over crevices, avoid or fight enemies, collect items (mostly crystals, as well as letters that spell K-A-Z-E), and face off against bosses at the end of a chapter. There are also secrets to find, such as bonus stages and areas that contain crystal shards, which you must collect within a specific amount of time.
Is It Any Good?
This is a fun throwback to classic '90s side-scrolling action games, and what it lacks in originality, it more than makes up for in pure enjoyment. Controlling Kaze is intuitive and responsive, and the action in Kaze and the Wild Masks gets more challenging as you make progress, unlock new areas, and invoke the powers of the Wild Masks. For example, the shark mask is needed for underwater stages, while the eagle mask is required to take flight. There are checkpoints in the Casual mode, but those who play the Original mode will need to start each level from the beginning if they fall off a cliff or get killed by enemies. It has good level and enemy variety, as well as fun boss characters, and plenty of collectibles and hidden areas to explore.
The game's graphics and animation are cute, but it's too bad there are no speaking parts (other than a yell, or something). Maybe it wasn't in the budget, or it wasn't a priority since it's really not a story-driven game. At least the soundtrack is enjoyable. While there's some replayability, it's too bad there isn't a multiplayer option -- because even couch co-op would've been a nice addition. But overall, Kaze and the Wild Masks is a fun game for kids and kids at heart, including those with a nostalgic leaning toward these kinds of games in their heyday.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in video games. Is the impact of the violence in Kaze and the Wild Masks affected by the fact that you're fighting evil vegetables instead of animals or people? Would the violence be intensified if it seemed more realistic?
Kaze and the Wild Masks is clearly a nod to '90s side-scrolling games. Is that necessarily a bad thing? Should the game be overlooked because its format is similar to older titles?
Game Details
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Sodesco
- Release date: April 1, 2021
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Friendship
- ESRB rating: E for Mild Fantasy Violence
- Last updated: April 13, 2021
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