Topic: Kirby's Epic Yarn Impressions

[MegaByte]

Even the water stages are enjoyable.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressions/24201

I had a chance to check out Kirby's Epic Yarn again at Nintendo's offices, one more time before it releases.  This time, I saw levels based on two forms of H₂O, Water Land and Snow Land, as well as Space Land.

Water Land was home to a cool dolphin transformation.  Acting much like the frog suit in Super Mario Bros. 3, the Dolphin ability let Kirby and Fluff swim against bubbling currents. But, it was so much better than the frog suit, giving the ability to smash enemies.  Underwater stages are usually dreaded in platformers (Donkey Kong Country Returns is even omitting them), but as dolphins, they were actually fun.  Gliding and looping moves were executed effortlessly.  Gaining speed underwater, Kirby could also blast off above the surface to perform tricks in the air.  There was one amusing spot where a bonus was unlocked by throwing basketballs into a hoop, as you might see in a marine park dolphin show.  Some of the transformations are almost games unto themselves, as you can see in the rocket transformation a la shoot-em-up video below.

In the winter holiday-themed Snow Land, Kirby's car transformation turns into a sled transformation.  In this form, you can build up speed to rocket off ramps.  By this time, I've become accustomed to the fact that you can't fly in this game, and the float ability actually came into play in an area where upward wind gusts catch Kirby's parachute form to bring him upward.  Space Land included a train stage -- one where you ride the train along a fast roller-coaster rather than become one.

These later levels were a bit more difficult, but not especially more so than earlier ones; however, more of the hidden items require a bit of planning to get to, particularly if you're playing solo.  That is, parts of the level may be closed off before you realize that you needed to get there, and can only be reached by playing the level again.

I wrapped up my playtime in a battle with series antagonist, King DeDeDe, though he is not quite himself.  Transformed into yarn and under the control of an unseen puppeteer, DeDeDe performs many of his trademark attacks such as the hammer and body smash.  Along with the usual strategies, players must tear out the buttons attached to the yarn holding DeDeDe hostage to defeat him.

Though relatively linear, the game entices you inspect every nook and cranny, and the levels are simply a joy to explore.  A pair of good players can develop a synergy that can make easy, but fun work of a stage.  The charming and cohesive presentation really makes a difference in this regard.  Kirby's Epic Yarn launches in North America on October 17, but before then, we have a bunch of videos for you to watch below.

[Mop it up]

Kirby can make water stages fun? Now this is an amazing game.

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

Very impressed with the level of promotion for this game. Traditionally, Kirby is seen as a B-list franchise, and thus when a new one is coming out, it normally does so quietly. Clearly though, Nintendo must see they are onto something with Epic Yarn - we've been getting trailers and short gameplay teasers almost every other day. It's definitely showcasing the amazing variety of the level design, both aesthetically and mechanically. The bit where Kirby is shot out of a French horn as a musical note and moves up & down a note chart collecting jewels? Fantastic.

[Ian Sane]

I've never understood the flack water stages get.  In fact I didn't know they had any sort of infamous reputation until I got on the internet.  As a kid they just seemed so normal, like every game has one.  It was the games where you died from falling in water that drove me nuts.  I always thought to myself "why can't I swim?  I can in these other games!"

[KDR_11k]

I don't mind water stages in 2D games, it's the 3D games with crappy swimming controls like the 3D Mario games that get me.

[Sundoulos]

I've never understood the flack water stages get.  In fact I didn't know they had any sort of infamous reputation until I got on the internet.  As a kid they just seemed so normal, like every game has one.  It was the games where you died from falling in water that drove me nuts.  I always thought to myself "why can't I swim?  I can in these other games!"

Agreed.  In fact, in some games, underwater stages were often among my favorites; particularly since they often have fairly awesome music.   The Bubble Man stage in MM2 is still my favorite Mega Man stage of all time, mostly because the stage music and creative enemies.

[Mop it up]

I've never understood the flack water stages get.  In fact I didn't know they had any sort of infamous reputation until I got on the internet.  As a kid they just seemed so normal, like every game has one.

It depends on the game. More often than not, water stages are done pretty poorly, like those in the NES Super Mario games where the difficulty comes from the loose control. Kirby, too, has slow water mechanics, and all he can do is squirt water to attack. In Donkey Kong Country, the close-up camera makes water stages difficult by having enemies appear right in front of your face, making it a guessing game.

The interesting thing about Sundoulos's Bubble Man example is that Mega Man doesn't swim, but rather, just jumps really high in water. That's what makes that water stage good.

[TJ Spyke]

I had no problems with the controls in the NS Mario games.

[Mop it up]

Because you've grown accustomed to them.

[TJ Spyke]

Maybe. I agree that some games don't do underwater levels right, but I think many are.

A tangent, but I hated the frog suit in Super Mario Bros. 3, it just made water levels harder IMO.

[MegaByte]

Actually, the Kirby dolphin attack felt like Enguarde in DKC, but the control was much better.  I've seen comparisons to Ecco, but I haven't played that game.

[Stogi]

If this game has extreme replay value (think SMB), ramps up in difficulty towards the end, and has plenty of secret levels and items to collect, it'll easily be my GOTY.

[Peachylala]

If this game has extreme replay value (think SMB), ramps up in difficulty towards the end, and has plenty of secret levels and items to collect, it'll easily be my GOTY.

THIS.

[King of Twitch]

Every time I see a new video it looks like it will blow DKCR's jungle levels, and other jungle levels, out of the water.


Edit: sorry, water has been canceled

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

Yeah, I think the reservations about water stages were born out of the awkwardness of the swimming controls in many 3D platformers. You know, because of the whole movement along six axes. In 2D games, it is much less of a problem, though it is certainly preferable when you can move entirely with one analog input, rather than having to press a button to swim up.

Interesting how Kirby's Epic Yarn is getting quite a lot of show, while Donkey Kong Country Returns has had the sum total of two trailers. Probably just Retro keeping it close to the chest like they usually do, but there's no reason for them not to laud their game.

[Stogi]

I think Majora's Mask did swimming in water perfectly; better than most 2D games.

[MegaByte]

Interesting how Kirby's Epic Yarn is getting quite a lot of show, while Donkey Kong Country Returns has had the sum total of two trailers. Probably just Retro keeping it close to the chest like they usually do, but there's no reason for them not to laud their game.

Kirby is about to launch; DKCR doesn't launch for another month, so they're probably holding off more promotion for a few more weeks.  And DKCR doesn't even have a solid release date in Japan, and that's where much of the Kirby material is coming from -- the US website still has nothing.