In the crowded stable of Nintendo’s classic characters, Kirby has always gotten the short end of the stick. Whether its falling into the shadow of his older brother Mario or releasing his best games at the tail end of a console’s lifespan, it often feels like the adorable pink puffball just can’t catch a break. As a long-running series with modest sales numbers, his games have remained mostly stagnant, content to exist as enjoyable 2D platformers with a slowly dwindling pool of creativity. Alongside this, 2018’s Kirby: Star Allies was among the most divisive of the series, leaving fans wondering if its possible for Kirby to truly make the jump modern gamers have been waiting for. However, as has happened with many franchises in recent years, Kirby finally got his big chance on the Nintendo Switch.
Proudly displayed as Kirby’s first true 3D adventure, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a perfect introduction for anyone new to the world of platforming. Its visuals are charming and impressive for the hardware, its gameplay is varied and easy to learn, and its ambition is a step above anything the series has produced before. This is a true evolution of the Kirby formula while remaining faithful to the appeals of the series, and as someone who’s had mixed experiences with previous games, this new entry is everything I wanted it to be.
At the outset, Kirby is enjoying a peaceful day on Planet Popstar when a mysterious vortex appears in the sky, transporting him to a strange, alternate dimension and bestowing him with a mysterious new ability. When he awakens, he finds himself in the titular ‘Forgotten Land,’ a long-lost civilization that has been completely reclaimed by nature, strikingly similar to our own modern world. Alongside a new friend known as Elfilin, Kirby must explore this new land in search of the Waddle Dees who were forced over alongside him.
As a setup for gameplay, this narrative works beautifully. The Forgotten Land is a joy to explore, with each of the six areas uniquely integrating its post-apocalyptic setting to fit Kirby’s style of play. You’ll be platforming through an abandoned mall, exploring an ancient theme park, and flying around through an overworld dotted with rusted industrial architecture. Small lore pieces are also sprinkled throughout the game in the form of items and environmental clues, giving the world and characters context and depth.
However, little is done in the way of explicit story. Until the very end of the adventure, there is no explanation of anything that happens beyond the bare necessities. The game’s villains, the ferocious “Beast Pack,” aren’t given any sort of motivation behind kidnapping the Waddle Dees for most of the game, and none of the characters even think about wanting to go home to the point of creating an entire new town for themselves by the time the credits roll. I understand that Kirby isn’t exactly known for its comprehensive lore, but when the story does eventually kick in (and boy does it kick in), its hard not to feel like it’s been shoved in haphazardly to justify the events of the game. Waiting to dump story details at the end like this leaves the player confused about their objective and what they’re really fighting for, which isn’t good for a game designed for new players.
However, when you’re actually exploring the levels, none of that really matters. The platforming controls are smooth and intuitive, helped by an excellent camera that always lands in the spot you need it. Returning copy abilities are reworked well for the new 3D world, and new additions such as ranger and drill feel like natural additions to Kirby’s moveset. Their attacks are somewhat limited compared to the more complex abilities of older games, but make up for it with the option to upgrade each ability multiple times for added power and special effects.
Taking a page out of Super Mario Odyssey’s book, Kirby can also control certain objects by holding them in his mouth. Despite the absurdity of this idea, it works surprisingly well, resulting in charming and comical scenarios such as driving around Kirby as he eats a car, gliding by way of triangular billboards, and spitting out soda cans as a sentient vending machine. These new transformations add a strong sense of variety to the game, as well as providing new opportunities for puzzles and secrets.
However, it should be mentioned that while this variety is helpful for keeping the player engaged, it can only do so much to distract from the fact of the matter: this is a game made purely for beginners. Now, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing; Kirby games have been designed this way since the day he was created, and that distinction does a lot to differentiate the series from its contemporaries. But as someone who’s played his fair share of 3D platformers, I couldn’t help feeling that something was lacking here. Up until the very final levels of the game, this is an easy, breezy adventure without an ounce of challenge to be had (even on the self-proclaimed “wild” difficulty), and that makes it hard to recommend to those who enjoy more difficult games.
There were also a few hiccups in the transition to 3D platforming. While satisfying to control, Kirby’s speed on the ground and in the air often felt slow, an issue only worsened by environments that were just a bit too big for the small groups of enemies and collectables placed within them. Combat also became somewhat repetitive by the end of the adventure, and boss battles were often over just as I’d begun to enjoy them. These issues aren’t deal-breakers by any means, but do put a small blemish on the experience.
More than anything, what lets Kirby and the Forgotten Land shine above its predecessors is its ambition. In terms of scope, this is the biggest and boldest that Kirby has ever been, and that shows in every aspect of the game. Considering the aging Switch hardware, performance is solid and the graphics are remarkably polished. Characters and objects may be simple in design, but the extra effort put into things such as textures and environmental effects goes a long way.
Not a moment goes by without something new opening up, whether it be a new level, ability upgrade, side mission, minigame, or other objective. The level gimmicks are consistently new and interesting, and the pacing never gives you time to get bored of the simple game mechanics. To do all of this while simultaneously transitioning from 2D to 3D was a huge risk by developer HAL Laboratory, but I can confidently say that it worked in their favor.
Verdict
Having played games for most of my life, I’ve always held some level of contempt for the easy-going and simple nature of the Kirby series. I felt it lacked depth and a clear hook, and that modern entries coasted by on Nintendo’s immense brand power. Kirby and the Forgotten Lands completely changes all that. With its beautiful world, satisfying gameplay, and high amounts of quality content, this is the title that finally pushes Kirby into the platforming big leagues, right alongside juggernauts like Crash Bandicoot 4 and Super Mario Odyssey. It displays a level of ambition that brings the series to new heights, breaking ground while honing its ideas to a mirror shine. Without a doubt, this is a true evolution of the series formula pioneered over 30 years ago, and the AAA Kirby experience that fans have been waiting for.
