You'd be forgiven for thinking there can't be many puzzle game possibilities left for a developer to discover, and although the PSP Minis launch title
Kahoots borrows quite heavily from games like
Lemmings and
LittleBigPlanet, it's got a very strong identity all of its own; both from a gameplay and an aesthetic perspective.
Beginning with the look of
Kahoots, it's reasonable to say this wouldn't be nearly as endearing if it weren't for the wonderful styling permeating the game. The developer has chosen a playful, childish theme that allows for an immediate suspension of disbelief - at no point do you need to question why the Kahoots are wandering around on block-built platforms, or why they need to fathom a way to the exit.
And this extends into the surreal, yet sensational, musical accompaniment. You're guided through the game by the deep-voiced, tuneful Peg Monster, which sings instructions in delicious, rhyming ditties worthy of Spike Milligan.
All of which takes care of your motivation and purpose.
Kahoots genuinely doesn't need explanation, other than seducing you completely with its abundance of charm and style.
Your plasticine-built Kahoot drops onto a platform, and simply keeps walking until he hits the edge, at which point he turns around. You have no direct control over this cute character, but can move the blocks around under his feet that make up the platforms to cunningly devise a route to the exit portal.
By moving a jumping block to the end of the platform, for instance, you can have your Kahoot bounce off the edge and onto the next row of blocks. It can be used to jump him over deadly spikes, or off the edge of the world, which wraps around the screen and drops him back in at the top.
Other types of blocks are included to help or hinder your cause. Some are bolted down and can't be moved, while others can only be shredded with the help of a Cardborg. These are NPCs that wander around the platforms, behaving much like your Kahoot. Coming into contact with a Cardborg kills you, however, so careful manipulation of this character is also required to remove obstacles without getting in its way.
Many of the levels look immensely simple, but once put into action you realise how much of a cerebral challenge
Kahoots can provide. It does get rather frustrating at times, when you don't get a block in place quick enough for want of a clumsy, D-pad controlled cursor, but it's a game of infinite joviality, which makes it difficult to get too wound up while playing.
The gameplay is a triumph of clever and accurate design, but the truth is it's worth buying this game for the Peg Monster's songs alone.
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