The name of Nintendo is often nominated by fans to platforms, thanks to the works that have marked the history of the video game as we know it today. Yet the relationship with the platform 3D of the Japanese company has always been quite fluctuating, unless you count the saga of Super Mario. In addition to some attempts entrusted to third-party studies such as Donkey Kong 64 or Wario Wold, there aren’t many attempts to evolve certain historical franchises into a new dimension. Because of this Kirby and the Lost Land has aroused some interest since its announcement, and in this preview we analyze the contents of the demo released on March 3, 2022.
A day like any other for Kirby
The demo allows you to try three specific parts of the game created by HAL Laboratory: the tutoriala level and the boss battle. In the first, the player correctly learns the different basic mechanics of the game, thus introducing the players to the new dimension. While this represents an episode of the series that introduces a new style of play, it’s pretty clear that anyone who has played Kirby in the past will immediately find themselves at home. Not only for the protagonist’s commands remained practically unchanged, but also for the very structure of the levels. Instead of trying a more open road as in Super Mario Odyssey (review here) or the historian Banjo-Kazooiethe game proves extremely linear where from point A Kirby reaches point B.
Definitely a structure less risky but still not simple to make, because the developers need to keep the level design perpetually interesting for the player. Fortunately this happens not so much in the tutorial, but in the level set in one ruined city. The game not only allows you to try out the new forms of the protagonist, such as the car or the traffic cone, but manages to offer a good idea of the goodness of the elements inserted in a stage. As per tradition, however, the games in the series have never presented a great one difficulty and apparently the demo of Kirby and the Lost Land that we analyze in this preview seems to confirm this rule. It is obviously not a negative side, but the hope for a greater challenge, at least in the secrets and collectibles, remains high in view of the full game.
The new transformations in particular they are at first glance very nice, but not so central to the whole experience. Unlike the more classic shapes taken by enemies, those derived from objects such as the car or the cone, are usable only at certain points, decided by the developers. Of course, we still have to see the result in the full product, where the hope is that the great ideas here won’t limit gameplay.
Small mention for the related issue to the expanded powers, which you can try once the demo is complete. Their dynamics have yet to be understood, but they certainly increase the freedoms offered to the player. The battle with the bosshowever, it remains extremely predictable and simple, without real creative flashes inside. We are probably talking about the very first fight, so it offers very few elements to be able to face a constructive discussion.
A land to discover
The trial version of HAL Laboratory’s work begins with a short but explanatory one filmed in CGI, which presents the classic incipit that starts yet another journey of Kirby. The idea is to offer one simple story, which aims to accompany the player without trying to tackle too complex topics. This is by no means a downside, as the franchise has a demographic that is suitable for everyone. The character and world design in fact, they demonstrate a cartoonish and particularly colorful aesthetic research, with a glance that leaves you satisfied but not surprised. The reason is due to a fairly simple and not extremely detailed texture architecture, with other games of this genre showing very different capabilities on the same platform. However, the work remains very accurate, and from the videos shown it is easy to expect a good variety of settings.
In the purely sound field it does not seem possible to bring criticism. Within the game they are present new tracks and remixes that they manage not only to accompany in the adventure, but even to create catchy themes even outside of gameplay sessions. The same can be said for the optimization which, as evident enough for an exclusive, does not present any kind of slowdown in the portable and home mode of the Nintendo Switch.
A real challenge for Kirby
In this preview of Kirby and the Lost Land we tried to dispel the doubts and describe the merits, but the work certainly has a lot to offer. Elements such ashub worldi mingiochithe level designthe shop and much more it has not yet been possible to prove it, in a test that actually lasts less than twenty minutes. The atmosphere is certainly impactful, but certain structural limitations risk leading to a good experience and nothing more. However, we look forward to the release of the full product, to find out if Kirby has managed to hit his real debut in the third dimension.
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