"Kirby and the Forgotten Land": New worlds, old times and lots of cuteness!

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This is an article from our content partner "PC Games ". Here you can find the original article by author Ronja Häusser and Katharina Pache.

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Kirby is the Nintendo character most likely to survive the end of the world. At least that's what Sakurai and his team thought when they made Kirby the last survivor of Super Smash Bros Ultimate's launch sequence. Link, Samus, Fox, Pikachu, Mario - they all become red-eyed shadows of themselves. But not Kirby. No, he escapes on his trusty star and sets out to save the world.

However, Kirby is one of the few Nintendo heroes who has yet to shine in an exceptional solo adventure on the Switch. Instead of a Dread, a Breath of the Wild, or an Odyssey, 2017 only saw Kirby Star Allies, a title that resembles its predecessors in almost every aspect and once again takes place in Kirby's home, Planet Popstar. Add to that a low difficulty level and little scope. The second dimension has simply become too small for Kirby, and so he finally leaves it. With Kirby and the Forgotten Land, he ventures into a completely new, but at the same time very old world full of possibilities and challenges. Can he prove himself a true hero on his first big Switch adventure in the third dimension?

Old Ideas, New World

On paper, this new world doesn't sound all that new. Not because everything there is run down, but because of the level themes. Water, grass, ice, desert - these are all landscapes familiar from pretty much every platformer. The sections of the world map flow smoothly into each other and loading times are pleasantly short. Still, it's basically the same as, say, Super Mario 3D World, right?

Actually, it is, the amazing thing is just that Forgotten Land doesn't feel like a copy of other platformers. The game has its own identity right from the start, and it maintains it far beyond the main storyline.

This is especially due to the aesthetic concept of an abandoned world. The remnants of civilization are a common thread throughout the game. The world is consistent in itself and makes you feel like you're in a real place. There are different environments, but everything remains part of one big whole.

This is also true within the sections: These don't feel like a collection of different level ideas with loose hints of water or desert, as was often the case in the "New Super Mario" games in particular. There's an overall artistic concept that makes sense of the world on multiple levels that other platformers often lack.

Levels to bite into

This doesn't mean that the levels themselves become boring or too similar. Even if you recognize ideas from time to time, there is no gameplay sequence that is monotonous or unnecessary. On the contrary, the design is often incredibly clever. Particularly impressive is how ruins were used for the design. Prominently presented in the trailers was, above all, an old shopping mall. However, there is so much more that we don't want to anticipate at this point.

Part of this creative level design is the so-called stuffed mode. As in many Kirby titles before, the gimmick revolves around Kirby's transforming ability. However, conventional transformations are not involved! It's more like Kirby can become a sort of cover for certain items. The great thing about this is that you can find traffic cones, or drink machines to stuff over organically in the world.

Stuffing is still a gimmick, but less sequestered from the actual levels like, say, the vehicle transformations in past titles. In Stuffer mode, you actually interact with the level itself, rather than suddenly being transported to a separate section. Even though the number of devourable objects is limited, they are used in such a variety of ways that you never get tired of them. Besides, how could you get tired of seeing Kirby stuffing himself down a flight of stairs?

The world is a playground

Still, the adventure isn't an open-world game, and the levels aren't sandbox areas in the style of 3D platformers like Super Mario Odyssey. There is always a clear path to the end and you can't get lost.

The camera can also only be moved to a limited extent. However, it always adapts and works so well that you usually don't worry about it while playing. However, it occasionally happens that you lose sight of Kirby because of the fixed camera.

To offer a rough classification of the design: The levels are similar to those in Super Mario 3D World, but only conceptually. They are more extensive with many successfully integrated hiding places.

Also, you don't move around on islands floating in the void. The platforms are organically part of the environment and background. This works so well that we ran into invisible walls quite often at the beginning because we mistook the background for part of the level.

The Forgotten Land is not a huge world where you can realize your dreams as a ranger or world explorer. It's more like big toy store at Christmas time, a museum or an indoor playground.

It may be all in one building, but that's what invites you to want to see absolutely everything. And the more you explore, the better you understand the levels. You learn where there's probably nothing to discover and which places you should definitely take a closer look at.

Like for Kirby-like

The same goes for the gameplay. The basics are simple: Kirby can jump, float, block, suck in enemies and take over their powers. Everything is easy to understand and intuitive right from the start. At the same time, the progression of the difficulty curve is perfectly adapted to the player's progress. You don't even notice that you're growing with the game until you suddenly face an earlier boss and finish him off with aplomb.

The switch to the third dimension does the bosses a lot of good. They are less monosyllabic and have different attack patterns that utilize each section of their large arenas. For mini-bosses, the simple-hit strategy still works well. However, with the final bosses of a chapter, you are challenged to understand their patterns.

This is also true when you face them as a team. You don't have to feel lonely in the big, new world: As Waddle Dee with a bandana, another player can join the fun. The multiplayer mode is well implemented and doesn't hinder the pleasant game flow in any way.

Of course, Waddle Dee doesn't have Kirby's vacuum cleaner abilities. So he can't use special powers or the full stuff mode. This hardly bothers you, though, because there's plenty to do outside of these gimmicks. Also, Waddle Dee has a weapon that Kirby can't copy by sucking it in: With his spear, Waddle Dee has various attacks at his disposal. He can also jump on the back of the stuffed Kirby and throw around from there.

"Kirby and the Forgotten Land" is thus one of those Nintendo titles that you can play with siblings, friends, partners or children without any problem. It should be noted, however, that initiative is required from both players. One player can't carry the other through a level like in Yoshi titles. Waddle Dee isn't an easy mode either, he controls like Kirby and dies just as quickly. Overall, the game is more difficult than has been the norm for the Kirby series in recent years. Still, it's still Kirby and not a Souls-like.

I got the Power!

As in most spin-offs, Kirby can suck in certain enemies to steal their powers. In past titles, they were then simply used, or there was a system to combine special powers. This time, there are advancements: The base special power gets an upgrade with collected blueprints.

This improves the power and speed stats. In addition, it gives the special power special properties. With the further development chain bomb, for example, bombs that are close to each other connect and cause greater damage.

You can decide for yourself what level of a special power you want to play with. You can make your life easier or harder by choosing the special power levels.

Fast road to(m) treasures

To have a special power upgraded by the Waddle Dee Weaponsmith, you need blueprints, star coins, and special star coins. Star coins can be found everywhere in the Forgotten Lands. Blueprints can also be collected, although they are rarer and more difficult to obtain. For the special star coins, however, you'll have to pass challenges in the first place.

These are found in the form of the so-called Road of Treasures. These are challenge rooms that focus on a specific special or tamper power. They test your skills, are cleverly designed and are a fun side activity.

Furthermore, they offer another way to make the game more difficult: Passing each of the roads is doable, albeit sometimes with a few attempts. In addition, there is also an optional timer challenge that lets you earn a few regular star coins on the side.

The goal times are sporty in places, but good motivation for those looking for a challenge. The fact that the challenge rooms have such a tight time limit also tempts you to keep playing "just one more round". The next attempt will definitely be better!

Kirby Quest

The Road of Treasures is unlocked mainly by completing levels. After all, it's not just a matter of crossing the line: On the way to the goal, there are hidden Waddle Dees to rescue and missions to complete. The search for Waddle Dees is reminiscent of tracking down the Kleinlings in Rayman Legends, though there is more hiding variety due to the three-dimensional environments in Kirby's adventure.

Missions are small tasks, similar to those in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. They are revealed bit by bit with each completed task. Of course, you can also discover them yourself, which solves them automatically. Even if mission types are repeated, there is enough variety, you won't get tired of them and they enhance the excellent level design once again.

For one thing, they are usually cleverly integrated into the overall concept of a world and even the less creative missions never seem out of place. On the other hand, they are hidden in such a way that you won't just stumble across them in most cases.

At the same time, you never get stuck for long. Last but not least, there's the merit: for every mission you complete, you free another Waddle Dee from the clutches of the Biestrudel.

The number of Waddle Dees needed for game progress is ridiculously low. The few you free at the end of each level are quite enough.

But how can you just leave the rest of them behind? We couldn't, they're just too cute. Fortunately, you don't rescue the Waddle Dees for free either. You might not need them to move on, but they get a new home in the lost land to return to.

Waddle Dedication

Kirby is not the only one who has to find his way in the new world. The Waddle Dees also originally come from Planet Popstar and suddenly find themselves in the Forgotten Land. Instead of going on an adventure, they build Waddle-Dee City, but only when they're not stuck in cages, of course. At the beginning, the settlement is just a bunch of destroyed buildings, but with each rescued Waddle Dee, the city develops.

And it's a really cozy place! Although the main game is a lot of fun, it's nice to explore the town a bit and relax every now and then. There's actually quite a bit to see there: Re-watch cut-scenes at Waddle Dee's movie theater, and upgrade your special powers at Waddle Dee's weapon store. The Waddle Dee scholar has tips on the blueprints needed for this. He also has a clever book that tells him some interesting statistics. While not relevant to the game, it's nice to know how many Kläffis you've already defeated.

In general, the game is motivating for completists. It keeps track of what you have already collected and what is still missing. The total percentage progress can be seen in the menu. Also, you are rewarded for everything you complete and find. You never get the feeling that objects are simply pointless filler. The only aspect that has the potential for frustration concerns the gacha capsules. Hidden in each level are a few such containers that contain figurines. At the beginning, something new is always added, but eventually they start to duplicate.

Fortunately, in Waddle Dee town there is the surprise vending machine alley. You can buy capsules there for a few star coins. There are also duplications here, but after a few rounds you usually get a missing figurine. This makes it much easier to fill your collection, especially considering how many figures there are. From the large selection, you can choose three figurines to display in Kirby's house.

This is also the only aspect of the house that you can influence. The home itself is very cozy, Kirby and his companion Elfilin can take a nap there to regain their strength. There's also an interesting book on the small table: it contains entries about Kirby's previous adventures.

A nice fanservice for fans of the series and exciting for those who play a Kirby title for the first time. Still, it's a pity that the house isn't more than a nice extra. They could have made a great mini-game out of the interior design!

The included mini-games are very rudimentary, but that doesn't stop them from being a lot of fun. The weakest is "Roll, Kirby, roll!": In this skill game, the goal is to maneuver a marble from one side of a game board to the other without it falling into holes. To do this, you have to tilt the box carefully. It's tricky, but it's also a familiar mini-game.

Fishing is also old hat in the world of video games, but the implementation as a quick-time event still gives "Flinkfischen" a certain addictiveness. Last but not least, there's "Waddle Dee Café: Help Wanted".

As a sales assistant, Kirby has to quickly supply lots of hungry Waddle Dees with the right snack. After all, the customers have to stay satisfied. Especially when it's "dinnertime," things get wonderfully chaotic.

At the Waddle Dee Café, however, you can indulge in less strenuous activities and eat a delicious Kirby burger with your friends. You can also buy an emergency ration of food to take home for a little health bonus along the way. Potions-To-Go are available at Waddle Dee's stuff store, which can be used to get a short attack boost, for example.

Special gifts are sent by the Waddle Dee delivery service, which is called Waddle Dee Liveries - a much better name. Here you can redeem codes that you find in the game or online.

If all this sounds too peaceful to you, you'll be happy to know that there's the Colosseum. There, Kirby can once again compete against a number of opponents in a kind of boss rush mode. Rumor has it that a certain mysterious knight from Planet Popstar is also taking part in the tournament! There is, of course, an appropriate reward for victory.

Waddle Dee City is packed with fun side activities. Even more, it's cute to look at and seems lively: Waddle Dees go about their lives everywhere. When you wave at them, they always wave back - that's incredibly cute, too.

Down-to-earth moments and breezy plot

Even though it's a forgotten land, it's still a land full of life. Just as the Waddle Dees add atmosphere to their settlement, the levels are filled with little anecdotes.Most of the enemies are just as cute as the pink stress ball itself. Moreover, every single character has been skillfully animated, giving them a lot of personality.

While playing, you often come across little moments away from the fights, such as seeing Kläffis snoring on a bench or sitting in a fast food restaurant. It's these little glimpses into the life of a strange world that always make you smile. It's a good thing there are these subtle moments, because the actual plot is completely made up, as in previous Kirby games. A vortex sucks the inhabitants of Planet Popstar into the Forgotten Lands. There, the Waddle Dees are promptly kidnapped by the evil beast pack, and Kirby sets out with the mysterious beastie Elfilin to rescue them.

After this story prelude, almost nothing happens for a long time. This is not untypical for platformers and basically doesn't bother. Without much plot around it, you can throw yourself completely into the levels. Besides, it's fun to speculate about that past civilization while exploring the ruins. Still, Elfilin feels like wasted potential. While he is Kirby's new companion, he is mainly remembered as a slightly less annoying version of Navi from Zelda.

Into the new World

Besides the storyline, there are small, readable entries about collectible characters that tell you info about the world. The main worldbuilding work, however, is done by the presentation: Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a beautiful game. With breathtaking landscape scenes at one moment and incredible attention to detail at another.

It's impressive how well the interplay of real-world elements and Kirby's plastic-stylized look has been achieved. There's always something to see, and what you glimpse is always beautiful.

And then there's the music. Kirby has always had good soundtracks, but the Forgotten Land one is particularly well done. The tracks always perfectly fit the atmosphere and emphasize it. Moreover, some tracks are so excellent that they positively stand out while playing.

The game's theme music is catchy and typically Japanese. Shortly after Kirby finds the car-stopper for the first time, he goes on a little joyride. As he thus drives through the ruined city ruins and the opening plays in the background, it becomes clear that this is a special game.

In a world where everything has passed away, Kirby rummages through the remains and ideas of other game series, creating something new and unique. Traces of previous Nintendo and Kirby titles can be found everywhere.

But they are just memories of what was, this is a completely new adventure. And it's a great adventure, it's an adventure worthy of the pink, spherical icon.

Conclusion: packed with collectibles, challenge, fantasy, life and above all joy.

I don't know when the last time a game gave me as much pure joy as Kirby and the Forgotten Land. After a good thirty hours, I've seen just about everything there is to see and still don't want to stop playing. When you consume a game non-stop for a review, it can quickly become tiring. Kirby, however, has never given me anything but fun. The adventure may not be an endless open-world game, but it's wonderful. I've never played a Kirby game this extensively before, though I've always liked the pink bubblegum bubble as a character. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a perfect entry into the franchise and a game I'm sure I'll remember for a long time.