Kameo: Elements of Power E3 2003 Preshow Report

Microsoft and Rare will be exhibiting Kameo: Elements of Power, a new platform game for the Xbox, at E3 2003. In the game, you'll play as Kameo, a heroine with the ability to magically transform into various monsters. You'll embark on an epic quest to rescue three of your elemental ancestors who have been kidnapped by the dark troll king as part of a nefarious plan to destroy the planet and its wildlife.

As you make your way through the journey, you'll be able to transform into a wider and wider variety of monsters--18 in total--from six different elements of power: plant, water, rock, ice, wind, and fire. You'll need to hunt and capture different monsters in order to gain their power. As this isn't an easy task, you'll have assistance from a friend named Meepo. Together, you'll use stealth and wits to capture the monsters and raise them.

Each of the monsters has different attack types and abilities, and it's up to you as the player to use your wits and transform into the most appropriate monster to attack the different enemies in the game. For example, one plant monster that you can morph into can pummel enemies at short range. There's also a rock monster that can throw large boulders to attack from distance, and a wind monster that you can use to execute surface-to-air attacks on airborne enemies.

The different monsters also have abilities that come in handy for exploration and opening up different areas of the game's vast fantasy-themed world, which covers more than 20 different locations. For instance, plant monsters are more adept at traveling underground, while fire monsters can easily light up dark caves.

Kameo: Elements of Power is scheduled for release in spring 2004 on the Xbox. We'll have more information on the game as it becomes available.