Catalyst
Koopa
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Basic Facts
Release Date: March 25, 2022
Number of Players: Single System (1-2)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: HAL Laboratory
Genre: Action, Platformer
Supported Play Modes: TV, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode
File Size: 6.2 GB
Supported Languages: Japanese, British English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Dutch, Simplified Chinese, Latin American Spanish, Canadian French, Traditional Chinese, American English
A city packed with secrets.
Game Overview
For 30 years, Kirby has established himself as an iconic and consistent game series with some of the best 2D platformers in history. But fans have been hotly anticipating HAL to finally take the series into the 3rd dimension. Kirby and the Forgotten Land does that, and then some! The classic Kirby gameplay is translated faithfully to 3D, with tons of sucking and copying action through vibrant and creative worlds.
In this adventure, Kirby and Bandana Dee are sucked into a post-apocalyptic world where a band of villains known as the Beast Pack are kidnapping the local Waddle Dees. The two of them and a new friend named Elfilin must team up to rescue the Waddle Dees, restore their damaged town and stop the Beast Pack.
From ghost town to dense village.
New Features
All of this stuff seems cool for sure, but you may be asking: “What makes this game different? Is it just generic Kirby but in 3D?” But fear not, as the game has way more up its sleeve! Such as:
Mouthful Mode: Kirby’s dimensional journey granted him a new, slightly disturbing power! Inhaling large inanimate objects allows Kirby to take the shape of them and utilize their qualities throughout the level. There are over a dozen Mouthful abilities, which are all exclusive to specific parts of levels. You will speed through courses with the powerful Car Mouth, light up dark paths with the bright Light Bulb Mouth, and channel your inner Mario Sunshine cleaning up goop with Water Balloon Mouth!
Upgraded Copy Abilities: For the first time, Kirby’s copy abilities can be enhanced! At Waddle Dee’s Weapon’s Shop, you can upgrade any of the 12 abilities into more powerful versions. Each Copy Ability has three evolution forms. Having trouble fighting enemies with a normal sword? Upgrade to the massive Gigant Sword and beating them will be a (spring) breeze!
Waddle Dee Town: In between levels, Kirby can hang out in the fully 3D hub world, Waddle Dee Town! The village is in shambles on first arrival but as you rescue more Waddle Dees, you can rebuild the entire town building by building. Places of interest include the Gotcha Machines where Kirby can obtain collectible figurines, the boss rush Colosseum, the aforementioned Weapons Shop, and even Kirby’s house! In addition, the “side modes” from previous Kirby games have been consolidated into the hub world as minigames. You can go fishing or serve food at the Waddle Dee Cafe.
Less intimidating than he looks.
FAQ
How hard is the game? Considering what series we’re talking about, it should be no surprise that the game is on the easier side. However, there are multiple difficulty modes! At any time, you can switch between the easier Spring-Breeze Mode and the moderate Wild Mode. Wild Mode features tougher enemies and a lower health bar for Kirby, but the levels contain more Star Coins to collect. If you have experience with other platformers you should have no problem with Wild Mode.
How does co-op work? Forgotten Land features two-player local co-op with Bandana Dee. The trusty Waddle Dee can use his spear abilities to help Kirby, and they even level up alongside Kirby’s abilities. However, Bandana Dee cannot use Mouthful Mode and the camera always follows Kirby, so this is more of an assist role. The four-player co-op and usage of multiple Kirbys in past games are absent from this one.
There’s a demo, right? Yes, there is a free demo for Kirby on the Nintendo Eshop! You can play three levels from the first world, including a battle with the Gorimondo boss. Progress does not carry over to the final game, but you are given a code after completing the demo that can be used in the game.
The star of the show.
Critic Reviews
The critics really love Kirby! The current Metacritic score of 85 makes this the highest reviewed Kirby game since Epic Yarn in 2010. See a sample of what they’re saying here:
GameSpot (9/10):
“…one of the best platformers on Nintendo Switch thanks to its brilliantly designed stages and a dynamic arsenal of abilities that consistently shake up the moment-to-moment platforming and action.”
Destructoid (9.5/10):
“I came in expecting a very serviceable Kirby adventure and got a lot more, but with those same straightforward and effortless virtues that past games have commanded.”
IGN (8/10):
“...lovely and vibrant, with cleverly designed levels that make consistently smart use of Kirby’s abilities.”
NintendoLife (9/10):
“...a proper celebration for Kirby, a great big 30th anniversary bash that's stuffed to the gills with fun times, a grand — and suitably OTT — main campaign, tons of side activities, minigames, collectibles, seamless co-op play and more besides. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the very best this franchise has been since Kirby: Planet Robobot, and if you know how much we like Robobot, you'll know that's quite the recommendation.”
Kirby's Awakening.
Useful Resources
Reveal Trailer
Copy Abilities/Co-op Trailer
Mouthful Mode Trailer
Review Thread
Nintendo.com page (with demo link)
"Ask the Developer" interview with HAL and Nintendo developers about the production of the game
Thanks to @VolcanicDynamo for helping me start the creation process, and @mazi for compiling the reviews in the Review Thread.
Let's roll!
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my vote went to Epic Yarn, I adore that game but honestly Kirby team just make bangers.
