I really had to learn to appreciate this game. I am not easily smitten by the prospect of a 3D Kirby game- it's novel, and I think the transition was done elegantly, (especially for it being HAL's first go) but the game gets no brownie points from me simply for existing. The game really needed to stand on its own to win me over. For a while, it seemed like it wasn't up to the task... but with a little patience, I met the game where it wanted me to.
My biggest gripe with this game is its difficulty progression. A lot of people complain about Kirby's difficulty, and honestly, I often think the criticism is a bit unfounded. Older Kirby games are pretty brutal. Amazing Mirror and Nightmare in Dreamland don't fuck around. Modern Kirby games like Triple Deluxe or Robobot weren't the mindless walks in the park that people make them out to be, either. Those games progress at a nice pace; each world feels very distinct from each other, not only in terms of motif, but also in engagement and overall design. Unfortunately, Forgotten Land seems to reference Star Allies' sensibilities for Kirby. The main game serves as an EXTREMELY casual experience. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, but my hang-ups with the game began early since I wasn't really looking for that kind of an experience. Each world sort of blended together, nothing was really permeating for me, and it felt very mindless. It wasn't run-of-the-mill... but it was mindless.
Thankfully, this "issue" doesn't feel like a result of unintelligent design. Levels aren't designed POORLY, just intentionally easy- it all feels very purposeful. In fact, to counter the main game's rather easy difficulty, "Treasure Road" challenge levels are offered for those interested in something starkly demanding in comparison to primary levels. These levels are FANTASTIC; I found myself very intrigued by their structure. It's really new for Kirby to operate in the way the Treasure Roads do and, aside from the combat, this aspect of the game really showed off how Kirby can iterate on the genre. It almost makes me want a full game of Treasure Roads, instead of having them delegated to a side bonus.
It was only near the game's final world did things start shifting for the main game. Levels started demanding more out of me, punishing me out of collectables for messing up. Bosses started requiring more attention- I couldn't just breeze through everything, I actually had to start taking advantage of the game's tools. Kirby's moveset, my own spatial awareness, telegraphing from bosses, environmental changes; every aspect of the game started working together to make a great experience. This isn't even taking into account how the copy abilities effect gameplay! The only thing mitigating the experience for me during my play... was how long it took to get to that point. I don't mean to convey that the gameplay patronized me or offended me, but it is ABSOLUTELY concerned with accommodating a casual crowd.
And yknow what? I ended up really respecting that priority by the end of it.
As is standard with most Kirbys', beating it unlocks some post game to go through if you so choose. Forgotten Land's post game has the essential True Arena, but also "Leon's Soul", which offers remixed versions of the best segments across ALL the worlds in the main game- making them more difficult, changing attributes of bosses, and sprinkling McGuffins throughout. THIS was the 3D Kirby game I wanted. I had to sit up straight, grip my controller, and actually learn how to take advantage of the game to succeed- and it was VERY gratifying ESPECIALLY during the secret boss fights, which are arguably THE BEST in the series. It felt like I was being rewarded for something, but I couldn't really tell what. After my time away from the game, though, I realized I wasn't being rewarded... just accommodated.
This game appreciates you for playing it. It offers to its demographic what they expected, but doesn't leave those who wanted more in the dust. By the time it was over, I realized I let my head wander. I had some casual fun for a while, and while I didn't leave my criticisms at the door like most would, I was accommodated by the time it was over for it. The game actually managed to make a sourpuss like me appreciate something I previously might not have enjoyed otherwise- that's kind of impressive! Kirby and the Forgotten Land isn't the best a 3D platformer can be; it isn't even the best a 3D KIRBY can be... but it treated me with confidence and respect, which I really appreciated by the end of it all.
My biggest gripe with this game is its difficulty progression. A lot of people complain about Kirby's difficulty, and honestly, I often think the criticism is a bit unfounded. Older Kirby games are pretty brutal. Amazing Mirror and Nightmare in Dreamland don't fuck around. Modern Kirby games like Triple Deluxe or Robobot weren't the mindless walks in the park that people make them out to be, either. Those games progress at a nice pace; each world feels very distinct from each other, not only in terms of motif, but also in engagement and overall design. Unfortunately, Forgotten Land seems to reference Star Allies' sensibilities for Kirby. The main game serves as an EXTREMELY casual experience. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, but my hang-ups with the game began early since I wasn't really looking for that kind of an experience. Each world sort of blended together, nothing was really permeating for me, and it felt very mindless. It wasn't run-of-the-mill... but it was mindless.
Thankfully, this "issue" doesn't feel like a result of unintelligent design. Levels aren't designed POORLY, just intentionally easy- it all feels very purposeful. In fact, to counter the main game's rather easy difficulty, "Treasure Road" challenge levels are offered for those interested in something starkly demanding in comparison to primary levels. These levels are FANTASTIC; I found myself very intrigued by their structure. It's really new for Kirby to operate in the way the Treasure Roads do and, aside from the combat, this aspect of the game really showed off how Kirby can iterate on the genre. It almost makes me want a full game of Treasure Roads, instead of having them delegated to a side bonus.
It was only near the game's final world did things start shifting for the main game. Levels started demanding more out of me, punishing me out of collectables for messing up. Bosses started requiring more attention- I couldn't just breeze through everything, I actually had to start taking advantage of the game's tools. Kirby's moveset, my own spatial awareness, telegraphing from bosses, environmental changes; every aspect of the game started working together to make a great experience. This isn't even taking into account how the copy abilities effect gameplay! The only thing mitigating the experience for me during my play... was how long it took to get to that point. I don't mean to convey that the gameplay patronized me or offended me, but it is ABSOLUTELY concerned with accommodating a casual crowd.
And yknow what? I ended up really respecting that priority by the end of it.
As is standard with most Kirbys', beating it unlocks some post game to go through if you so choose. Forgotten Land's post game has the essential True Arena, but also "Leon's Soul", which offers remixed versions of the best segments across ALL the worlds in the main game- making them more difficult, changing attributes of bosses, and sprinkling McGuffins throughout. THIS was the 3D Kirby game I wanted. I had to sit up straight, grip my controller, and actually learn how to take advantage of the game to succeed- and it was VERY gratifying ESPECIALLY during the secret boss fights, which are arguably THE BEST in the series. It felt like I was being rewarded for something, but I couldn't really tell what. After my time away from the game, though, I realized I wasn't being rewarded... just accommodated.
This game appreciates you for playing it. It offers to its demographic what they expected, but doesn't leave those who wanted more in the dust. By the time it was over, I realized I let my head wander. I had some casual fun for a while, and while I didn't leave my criticisms at the door like most would, I was accommodated by the time it was over for it. The game actually managed to make a sourpuss like me appreciate something I previously might not have enjoyed otherwise- that's kind of impressive! Kirby and the Forgotten Land isn't the best a 3D platformer can be; it isn't even the best a 3D KIRBY can be... but it treated me with confidence and respect, which I really appreciated by the end of it all.