The intro is simply superb - just like settling into an old pair of slippers as our heroes set off on a new adventure. Arch bad-penguin "Feathers" McGraw has taken over the zoo in which he was 'imprisoned' after the crimes he committed in The Wrong Trousers. Before you know it you're in control of Gromit and have to search out nuts, bolts and tools with which Wallace can fix the various doors, switches and machinery you need to help you progress.

   

The game plays in a similar way to many other platformers - reminiscent of Banjo Kazooie and maybe Ratchet & Clank in style layout, and with much better graphics than most of the PS2 competition. An amazingly smoothly modelled Gromit wanders around the levels (he can run or sneak too) looking for ways to access the next section or a higher platform. He can punch and karate kick most enemies quite effectively but soon gets provided a selection of fun weapons by Wallace; a banana gun, a porridge machine gun and a veggie launcher all mean Gromit can be real gun-toting badass. He can also swim, squat jump or reverse jump to get to hidden or lofty difficult to reach bits. Gromit will auto-target nearby enemies or shootable objects, and you get an over-the-shoulder Splinter Cell-style view to aim more accurately. There are several Mario-style bonus levels (some that are rock hard tests of timing and accuracy on platform mazes or even a slippy snow slide), and also chase mini levels that see W&G in a flying contraption. They even slipped in a mini-section homage to Asteroids.

   

Despite some of the usual 3D platform game camera-related problems (it's fully controllable but never seems to be high enough to give you a clear view) and some really tricky sections (making you wonder who the target audience is), Wallace & Gromit: Project Zoo is a pleasure to play and look at, and fits into the series beautifully. Whether you're a platform game junkie or a W&G fan there's plenty here to keep you happy and entertained.