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KAKU: Ancient Seal, the new action-adventure indie game from Chinese developer Bingobell, draws inspiration from The Legend of Zelda, particularly Breath of the Wild, and even echoes the PS2 title Brave: The Search for Spirit Dancer in its setting and character design. Does this blend of influences create a fresh experience in the crowded indie game market? Let’s delve into this KAKU: Ancient Seal review to find out.

Enjoyable Exploration and Engaging Gameplay

alt: Kaku exploring a vibrant, natural environment.

Kaku’s adventure begins with a whimsical chase after a flying piglet, leading him to a mysterious icy cave. Emerging from this cave sets the stage for the game’s core experience: exploration. While the narrative isn’t particularly compelling, the gameplay shines through. Unlike many open-world games cluttered with map icons, KAKU: Ancient Seal offers a more focused experience.

alt: Kaku stands before a towering crystal structure in a mountainous region.

The gameplay loop revolves around unlocking crystal pillars, solving puzzles, discovering treasure chests, collecting energy orbs, and uncovering lore scattered throughout the world. Side quests, though limited in number, offer worthwhile rewards. The game’s platforming and puzzle elements are well-crafted, presenting a satisfying challenge. While not as open-ended as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, KAKU: Ancient Seal provides a depth of exploration that keeps players engaged.

alt: Kaku traversing a dangerous environment, using a grappling hook to swing across a gap.

Combat is divided into melee and ranged attacks, with upgrades crucial for both, especially in the challenging early game. Ranged attacks are particularly important due to enemy vulnerabilities to different elemental types. These same elements also play a role in puzzle-solving. The melee combat is satisfying, with fast-paced attacks and powerful special moves, including an over-the-top “Saiyan” transformation with screen-shaking blows. Three ultimate abilities provide additional options for tackling tougher foes.

The streamlined equipment system offers a variety of visually appealing weapons and armor with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Runes allow for further customization, adding another layer of depth to character progression.

Unpolished Elements and Missed Opportunities

alt: Kaku standing in a dark, atmospheric environment.

Despite multiple delays, KAKU: Ancient Seal still shows signs of its early access origins. The user interface feels cluttered and unprofessional, with a particularly overwhelming map screen. While the world is visually appealing, the pacing is uneven, particularly in the somewhat tedious snow area.

alt: Kaku fighting a large, monstrous enemy in a fiery environment.

The exploration, while well-designed, becomes repetitive over time, with many quests boiling down to fetch quests or combat encounters. Challenging dungeons are inexplicably relegated to a separate, disconnected realm, missing an opportunity to integrate them into the main open world. Similarly, equipment and skill upgrades are also handled in this separate area, requiring frequent loading screens.

alt: Kaku exploring a dark, cavernous environment with glowing crystals.

The narrative feels tacked on and underdeveloped, hindering character development and emotional connection. Cutscenes are sparse, replaced by bland dialogue sequences. While the use of a unique language for voice acting is intriguing, the music and sound design are unremarkable, further contributing to a sense of unpolished presentation.

Conclusion

KAKU: Ancient Seal offers a fun and engaging open-world experience with enjoyable exploration and combat. However, its unpolished presentation, repetitive elements, and underdeveloped narrative hold it back from its full potential. With some refinement and attention to these areas, KAKU: Ancient Seal could truly shine.