’ll be honest: I look forward to reviewing games based on popular CG-animated children’s movies about as much as doing my taxes or contracting polio. More often than not, they tend to be a mix of shoddy combat and hollow platforming clichés aimed at doing only one thing well: relieving parents of their hard-earned money. Thankfully, there are the odd surprises, and Kung Fu Panda is most certainly one of these. From beginning to end, it’s an entertaining mix of bracing combat, polished platforming, and a good dollop of humor.

Kung Fu Panda was made by Luxoflux, which cut its teeth on more adult-oriented titles like Vigilante 8 and the True Crime series. The studio’s experience shows. While Kung Fu Panda doesn’t exactly innovate, it distinguishes itself from the pack by cleverly swiping bits of gameplay from better titles and its keen knack for knowing just the right moment to give players a bit of variety – be it a chase sequence, timed button pressing a la God of War, a stationary gun turret section, or alternate playable characters.

It does the basics well, too; the combat system (which features an astonishing amount of customization and upgrades) is excellent. In boss battles, you actually have to use (gasp!) strategy and attack in an intelligent manner. While the platforming can be a bit wonky at times (landing on some objects in the environment can be tricky), the frequent checkpoints save you from any real frustration.

What’s more, many of the jokes actually inspire laughs, due in large part to the humorously portentous voice work. To top it off, there are a host of solid multiplayer brawling contests and other unlockables to open up during your adventure. While Kung Fu Panda certainly isn’t breaking new ground, it’s inspiring to know that studios are still capable of doing quality work in the well-worn platforming genre.