As I'm sure you already know, videogames based on movies tend to, well, suck. Be it the short development time, tight budgets or even a case of malaise and general laziness on the part of the developer, the fact is that, with the exception of a rare few, videogame movie tie-ins are often rushed, lazy and at times bordering on broken. This complete lack of quality is so incredibly common within the confines of this much maligned genre that it has now become an all but expected norm amongst the videogame community. Sure, we are disappointed when a great movie gets lumbered with another sub-par release, but it's something we have learned to live with over the years. Another great license, another sad waste of potential. It has even got to the point in which a competent movie to videogame release becomes deserving of special praise, such is the scarcity of quality within the genre. Luckily, that is where Luxoflux's Kung Fu Panda comes in. Although far from groundbreaking, this is a solid, extremely well presented title that actually does justice to the high quality source material upon which it is based.

Kung Fu Panda puts you in the shoes, or paws, of Po, an out of shape Panda who dreams of becoming a martial arts master. Like the movie, you go on a quest to become the Dragon Warrior and stop the evil Tai Lung from obtaining the mythical Dragon Scroll. It's a story that has been told a million times before; outsider overcomes obstacles and wins over doubters in a bid to make dreams a reality - however, as in the case of the movie, it is a simple story that's handled and delivered very well.

As you would expect from a game called Kung Fu Panda, the primary mechanic is that of an action / adventure beat 'em up, and for the most part that is exactly what you get; if anything it actually plays like a successfully watered down, blood-free God of War. To their credit though, Luxoflux haven't rested on the laurels, delivering a pleasingly varied experience as the brawling is often broken up with a spattering of basic platforming, mild exploration and the now obligatory collection of quick-time events. Luxoflux have wisely filled each stage with a collection of optional secondary objectives for those who wish to see everything that the game has to offer. They may be made up of the usual array of collecting hidden items and saving innocent members of the public, but these aren't forced upon you in any way and serve as a fun optional extra for all those who wish to take up the challenge.

For the majority of your adventure you will be fending off an array of enemies as Po the panda, although you do get a chance to take on the role of some of the movie's other major characters as you progress. The action is basic but fluid, with a combat system that is accessible but extremely fun; it even holds a bit of depth for gamers who choose to dig a little deeper into the game's mechanics. Moves are split into the traditional fast and strong attacks, with simple combinations available from combining the two, or combining either with running or jumping. There is also an action button that allows you to use your regenerative Chi powers to unleash a collection of, shall we say, Panda-specific moves, such as Panda Quake and Panda Tumble, the latter of which sees you toppling enemies like a giant furry bowling ball - certainly not a move made famous by the like of Bruce Lee! It's all very simple but nonetheless very successful and will inevitably prove to be very easy for younger gamers to grasp without feeling overwhelmed.

While accessible and easy to get to grips with, Kung Fu Panda holds some hidden depth in the form of in-game coin collection that allows you to unlock moves, improve Po's stats and purchase new outfits at the end of each level. This not only provides a potentially deeper gaming experience for those who wish to pursue it, but also encourages exploration of each level's beautifully crafted landscapes.

This beauty isn't just confined to the landscapes either; from the beautiful lighting, well realised characters, impressive animations and detailed landscapes to the perfectly suited soundalike voice performers and subtle audio touches, Kung Fu Panda really is an audio visual treat from top to bottom. There may be few technical issues, but nothing that will distract from an otherwise top notch level of presentation.

As good as this all sounds, it does come at the price of longevity. Although Kung Fu Panda runs at a relentless pace, with little chance of boredom setting in, it does suffer from being an almost embarrassingly short game. It's clearly aimed at a younger audience, as any player with a decent level of skill or experience playing videogames should be able to breeze through all thirteen relatively short levels in just a couple of sittings. It also doesn't help that the game is extremely easy, with little chance of failure - great for really young gamers, not so much for those looking for any kind of challenge. As short as the game is though, length is something I would happily sacrifice for a title with presentation and game mechanics as solid and enjoyable as those found in Kung Fu Panda; I'd much rather have a short-lived quality experience than a lengthy bad one.

While the single player game will be over before you know it, Luxoflux have at least rounded of the package with a collection of fun if forgettable mini-games that cater for up to four players. It may be offline only but these games once again show the care that has been put into Kung Fu Panda. This surprisingly varied collection of multiplayer mini-games are unlocked via coin collection in the single player mode, giving yet more incentive to search out every nook and cranny. These unlockable games range from simple snap style picture matching to all out four player brawls in the vein of the Dreamcast classic Powerstone and Nintendo's acclaimed Smash Bros. series.

Kung Fu Panda may not break any new ground, but what it does, it does really well, something that is extremely rare in a genre that often fails to reach even the modest heights of mediocrity. The game may be over before you know it, but for as long as it lasts, it serves up an enjoyable, extremely polished adventure that younger gamers will simply adore. The single player is solid, well presented and deceptively deep, while the multiplayer modes are fun and surprisingly varied. Luxoflux have achieved something very rare by developing a movie to videogame tie-in that could quite easily stand on its own as an enjoyable family title. Just like the movie it's based upon, this really is an adventure that the whole family can enjoy.

Reviewed by Liam Pritchard for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).