Release Date | March 25, 2022 |
Developer | HAL Laboratory |
Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
IGN Rating | 8/10 |
Hey everyone, Arihead from Electronic First In this Worth a Buy episode, we’re going to be covering Kirby and the Forgotten Lands. In our last episode, we covered Ghostwire: Tokyo. If you’d like to see my unbiased review of the game, then remember to check it out. Now, this Kirby game is actually the first one I’ve ever played. It was met with amazing reviews and I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. After playing for a good amount of hours, I now understand what makes Kirby and the Forgotten Land so good. But first, what is Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and how is it different from other Kirby titles? For starters, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is Kirby’s first foray in a 3d space. It only took them 30 years! It’s certainly a big surprise. After all, other old franchises started transitioning to 3d since the era of the N64. At a certain point, the idea of Kirby in a 3d setting was unheard of. While this game may be quite different from the Kirby games you are used to, at its core, it’s still the same level-based Kirby experience it’s known for. Before we begin though, remember to check out our website. At Electronic First, we give you the best games at the best prices, including Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Also, be sure to join our Discord server! If you like our videos, come on over to our server! It’ll be great to finally have a real-time chat with you guys.
So, the story goes like this: Kirby is flying around Dreamland, when a random black hole appears out of nowhere and starts sucking Kirby and the many Waddle Dees in. Where have we seen this plot device before? To be honest, Kirby should have seen this coming. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an upcoming video game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where Kirby wakes up after being sucked into a black hole, and discovers that the Waddle Dees of Dreamland is being kidnapped by the native animals known as the Beast Pack. The game’s story follows Kirby as he sets out to save the Waddle Dees and stop the Beast Pack from taking over Dreamland. Along the way, Kirby teams up with Elfilin, a chinchilla-like creature who has been helping the Waddle Dees fight back against the Beast Folk.
One of the standout features of Kirby and the Forgotten Land is its unique setting. Unlike most Kirby games, which take place in a colorful, whimsical world, this game is set in a desolate wasteland where nature has taken over. It’s a departure from the norm, but one that works well for the game’s story and tone.
But while the story has its charms, the real star of the show is the gameplay. Kirby and the Forgotten Land promises to be a fun and engaging experience, with controls that are fluid and intuitive. The game features a mix of platforming and puzzle-solving elements, with Kirby using his trademark copy ability to gain new powers and abilities.
One of the most exciting aspects of Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the return of 3D gameplay to the Kirby series. While Kirby has appeared in a few 3D games in the past, this is the first time that a mainline Kirby game has been set entirely in a 3D environment. The result is a game that looks and feels fresh, while still retaining the classic Kirby charm. This is where the game begins and I won’t spoil any more of the story. Although the story has its charms, I must say that the meat and potatoes of this game lies in the gameplay. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a really fun experience, especially with controls as fluid as this.
In fact, the first thing I did was an experiment with various techniques with Kirby’s moveset and the many copy abilities. Speaking of copy abilities, most of them are tried and true fan favorites, such as the sword and ice abilities. Of course, there are also new abilities, the Drill, which actually has a very strong moveset and the Ranger, which I like to call “Kirby with a Gun.” I never thought I’d say that in my life. I love this job. Moreover, you can now evolve copy abilities into stronger versions. They visually look different from the originals and are usually better. My personal favorite is the Fire copy ability, and its evolution, the Volcano Fire ability. As you can see, I spam the dash attack as a movement option at basically every level. It’s extremely strong. I have yet to unlock the Dragon Fire ability, but I’ll bet it’s just as game-breaking.
And you’ll be doing all this crazy stuff in fun and engaging levels befitting a Kirby game of this ambition. In fact, I would even go so far as to say it rivals some of the mainline 3d Mario games we’ve seen in recent years. The level design is quite clever actually. In each level, you are given optional tasks to complete, which gives each level a lot more replay-ability. There are tons of secrets abound in the New World, jam-packed with puzzles and collectibles. And like I was saying earlier, this really is the nicest post-apocalyptic world we’ve ever seen. Graphically, it’s up there with many of the switch’s greatest hits, like Super Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild. I’d go on vacation here if I could. Guess it’s time to book a ticket to my town’s local black hole. The common enemies are not particularly hard, nor are they truly unique in my opinion.
But they do have a great design. Killing them is fun with Kirby, whether you suck them in Kirby’s boundless mouth, burn them to a crisp with the fire ability, spin to win with the tornado, or shoot them in the head with Kirby’s gun. Is this really a Kirby game? Who cares, it’s stupid fun. Let’s not argue the moral implications of all this. If the common enemy is too easy for your tastes, don’t fret, because the bosses are much more interesting and take a bit of a learning curve to defeat. Personally, I haven’t really found the game to be challenging, even when playing on Wild Mode. The two available difficulty levels, Wild and Spring-Breeze, are actually a pleasant surprise for a Nintendo game that will definitely sit well with the fans. However, this is no Elden Ring. Don’t expect to have your palms sweaty.
Unless you naturally have sweaty palms, then I’m sorry. Moving on, one of the main gimmicks of this game is the Mouthful ability. Now we can witness Karby, as he fast and furiously rams into enemies head on without mercy. Is this REALLY a Kirby game? Other Mouthful abilities include the Cone Mouth, allowing Kirby to perform a deadly ground pound and Ring Mouth, which gives Kirby the ability to exhale devastating gusts of wind. In order to progress, you will often have to utilize specific copy-abilities and mouthful abilities. This does add a layer of depth to the level design and forces you to master various abilities. Otherwise, I would just use the fire ability and nothing else.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is not only a fun and engaging game to play solo, but it also features co-op gameplay. Bandana Waddle Dee, a fan favorite character from previous Kirby games, makes an appearance in the game as Kirby’s co-op partner. Players can team up with a friend to take on the challenges of the Forgotten Land together.
Bandana Waddle Dee brings his own unique moveset to the game, including his signature spear. He also has a helicopter move that allows him to float in mid-air, as well as a spear throw that can take out enemies from a distance. Playing as Bandana Dee is a welcome addition to the game, and his abilities add a new layer of strategy to the gameplay.
One of the biggest benefits of playing co-op in Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the added dynamic of teamwork. Some puzzles are specifically designed for co-op play, and can only be completed with the help of a partner. This makes the game more enjoyable and challenging, as players must work together to solve puzzles and defeat enemies.
However, one downside to co-op gameplay in Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the difficulty. Some players have found that the game is actually easier when played in co-op mode, which can take away from the challenge of the game. While this may be a drawback for some, it does make the game more accessible to younger or less experienced players.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land not only delivers on its engaging gameplay and story, but it also features an exceptional soundtrack. The developers at HAL Laboratory have put a lot of emphasis on music as a means of conveying the game’s message, and the result is a soundtrack that perfectly complements the levels and cutscenes.
One thing that sets Kirby and the Forgotten Land apart from other games is the use of music to tell the story. While many games rely on voice acting to convey emotions and plot points, Kirby and the Forgotten Land uses music to do the same. The game’s cutscenes are a great example of this, as many of them feature no voice acting at all. Instead, the music sets the tone and conveys the emotions of the characters in the scene. This approach not only makes the game more immersive, but it also showcases the incredible talent of the game’s composers.
Speaking of the music, the soundtrack of Kirby and the Forgotten Land truly fits the levels. Each area of the game has its own unique music, and the composers have done an excellent job of matching the tone of the music to the environment. From the upbeat and cheerful music of the early levels to the more intense and dramatic music of the later levels, the soundtrack of Kirby and the Forgotten Land never disappoints.
It’s worth noting that the music in Kirby and the Forgotten Land isn’t just there for background noise. The game’s composers have crafted some truly memorable tracks that are sure to stick with players long after they’ve finished the game. Whether it’s the catchy main theme or the epic boss battle music, the soundtrack of Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a highlight of the game.
Suffice to say, whether you’re a casual or hardcore gamer, there’s a lot to love about Kirby and the Forgotten Land. For the more casual gamers, there are two difficulty modes to suit your needs. Clearing levels isn’t too hard and the controls are easy to learn, while the hardcore gamers may appreciate the large amount of movement optimizations possible. Essentially, if you’re the type that likes Kirby and other platforming games, then Kirby and the Forgotten Land is absolutely worth a buy. I think it’s one of the best games I’ve played on the switch. What do you guys think? Let us know in the comment section down below, we really wanna hear from you. In particular, we’d like to know your favorite copy ability.
If you’re thinking about buying Kirby and the Forgotten Land, I highly recommend checking out Electronic First. We offer fantastic prices on various games, including Kirby and the Forgotten Land. What’s more, our blog is an excellent resource for gamers, with news, reviews, and guides on the latest games. So, head over to Electronic First to grab a copy of Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Join Kirby and his friends on a thrilling adventure and experience all the game has to offer. Also, we hope to see some of you on our Discord server. We talk about various games, such as Elden Ring and Pokemon Legends Arceus. This is Arihead, signing out!
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