My experience with Kirby games is very minimal. Despite being a staple of the ever-almighty Nintendo, I had never beaten a Kirby game before or even played a Kirby game in one playthrough. On the other hand, I have been curious to play Kirby’s first ever 3D adventure, known as Kirby and the Forgotten land. Nintendo had always wanted to do a full-on 3D Kirby game since the early 2000s, when CGI technology was beginning to open up so many possibilities. Company HAL Laboratory has worked on many of Nintendo’s biggest hits, including the pink puffball's most recognizable adventures. Even for someone entirely new to the Kirby franchise, this game had everything a video gamer could ever want out of a cute and creative 3D platformer that is perfect for long-time fans and newcomers like me.
When a vortex unexpectedly appears on Planet Popstar, Kirby and some Waddle Dee’s are sucked up into the vortex and thrown into a strange world unlike their own. When Kirby discovers that a majority of the Waddle Dee’s are captured by a group of rough animals called the beast pack, it's up to Kirby, as well as his new friend Elfilin to find the Waddle Dee’s and stop the beast pack’s leader from getting too powerful
The story is adorable, and the storytelling feels timeless. The world-building is excellent and takes a much calmer and feel-good tone to an apocalyptic setting. Despite a cute exterior, this game has plenty of epic momments with plenty of twists and turns. This kind of game is perfect for people looking for a straightforward narrative with hints of epic storytelling. I, for one, had a ball following along with these cute characters that have opened my mind to possibly playing other Kirby stories in the future.
The gameplay takes the essence of what made 2D Kirby games so good and translates them effortlessly into 3D. The goal is to save Waddle Dees. Three Waddle Dees are waiting for you at the end of each level, but some are hidden by completing bonus objectives. Aside from the primary levels, there are also side missions to earn bonus stars which can be used for upgrading abilities. Kirby will have the normal ability to jump and float for a short time, but he can also suck up enemies to use against other enemies. Some enemies, when sucked up, can allow Kirby to copy the enemy's power-ups and use them to get across platforming sections or attack other enemies in Kirby’s Path. Every level ends with a boss fight which will test your skills to beat these foes without suffering too much damage. The main attraction in the game is the Mouthfulll mode which gives Kirby the power to suck up massive objects such as Cars, Lightbulbs, and Soda Machines and use them to platform through sections in exciting and creative ways you couldn’t normally do with regular powers. In the hub world of Waddle Dee Town, you can participate in mini-challenges and upgrade abilities to deal more damage to enemies and bosses. As someone new to Kirby, I had a blast going through these levels with joy and excitement. There was rarely a dull moment cause this game gives the right amount of things to accomplish with just the perfect balance of Easily breezing through the game and being challenged in areas that felt right and necessary.
The graphics are cute and are crafted with that timeless and adorable feeling usually found in most Nintendo products. The different areas Kirby visits have so much personality and detail. Some highlights include the abandoned but also lush cityscapes in the Natural Plains and cruising through the crazy and colorful theme park in Wondaria Remains. Despite being an apocalyptic world, it somehow is very bright and cutely designed, keeping in tune with the Kirby graphics style. The visuals, though have an epic dark side as you continue getting further into the game and are confronted with the final boss. The characters are cutely designed, Kirby and Elfilin especially, but characters can also be huge and threatening, such as the characters in the beast pack. These great colorful graphics can bring the little kid outside, even the toughest of adults. It may be cutesy, but I can tell these graphics will live on in the hearts and minds of gamers of all types.
Many composers worked on the soundtrack for this game, and it seems they have taken a page right out of Super Mario Galaxy cause this score is something extraordinary. It's completely original, and all tracks are traditionally orchestrated with the greatest of passions. These tunes are cheerful and lively, and each score is different for every level. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of Kirby’s most recognized themes in the franchise return in orchestrated form. Many other aspects of this game are worth raving about, but the music is the icing on an already delicious cake.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a passionate and well-crafted 3D platformer and is the best game Nintendo has crafted since Super Mario Odyssey. Everything from the gameplay to the cute story to the colorful graphics and an outstanding musical composition makes this a great Kirby game and a great 3D platformer caple of standing tall with many others of their kind. If you're entirely new to Kirby like I was, this is a great way to be introduced to the titular character. HAL Laboratory knocked it out of the park by creating a video game anyone can enjoy, and only one can hope that the Kirby franchise will only continue to go up from here.
(Final Grade: A)