Kamek Koopa
Member
NOTE: I'm perfectly aware that there are several spin-offs in between like Epic Yarn, Rainbow Curse or Mass Attack, but my point is that there is a real problem with the main games that has to be solved.
Since Kirby Returns to Dreamland all the entries in the Kirby series have been iterations of the same formula. In five years we've received Kirby Returns to Dreamland, Kirby Triple Deluxe, Kirby Planet Robobot, and now the new Kirby for Switch. And, let me get this straight, I think that they are games that feel way too similar. I find it hard to be excited for a new one, because it is like if I had already played it.
Unlike Donkey Kong, Rayman or Mario, Kirby is not a series that has been able to present a lot of novel situations based purely on its level design. At least, not as much as to justify four entries that are that continuist. Yes, there are some good ideas in the games, but they are mixed randomly, they never offer a real challenge and there isn't any incentive to play with elegance, using the powers in order to break through the level and getting better at it.
What bothers me the most is that Kirby games COULD still take advantage of the actual base and keep it fresh with not much effort. These are just some examples:
· Kirby Returns to Dreamland introduced ability-based challenges that showed an amazing level design and some arcade touch, with a clever score system and some good difficulty. If the games had followed that trail designing the core levels like that and maintaining the score system, maybe I would be more interested, so I think that is something that could be easily done. Something like the Jungle Beat of Kirbys, following the steps of those challenges that, anyway, could perfectly be played like normal levels by people not interested in the scores (like Donkey Kong Country Returns/Tropical Freeze levels can be played at a normal pacing, but also offer an incentive of mastering them with the time trials).
· Kirby could also try again the Metroidvania genre. After all, The Great Cave Offensive is one of the most enjoyable modes of Kirby Superstar, and Amazing Mirror failed because of the execution and the map design, not because of the formula not working with the Kirby mechanics.
· A game based exclusively on boss battles. If there is something that Hal Laboratory does really well nowadays is making spectacular battles and designing creatures with awesome routines (being sincere, the final wave of showdowns in Planet Robobot is what I enjoyed of the game the most). And I'm not talking about a minigame with recycled bosses (I'm looking at you, Clash Deluxe), but about a brand new entry focused on fighting new enemies, just like Alien Soldier or Cuphead.
Notice that all of these are ideas that still could use the actual base of modern Kirbys (I haven't even talked about jumping to the 3D), so I don't think I'm really asking for too much. Four entries in five years are too many, specially if they are that similar between them. I really think that Kirby is a series with a lot of potential, but it has become stagnant for too long, so if other series like Mario or Zelda are now jumping to another level, it's time for Hal Laboratories to be a bit more ambitious if they want their mascot to be still relevant. Or, at least, if they want many of us to feel excited to play a new Kirby again.
*Excuse me for my English, I'm not native!
Since Kirby Returns to Dreamland all the entries in the Kirby series have been iterations of the same formula. In five years we've received Kirby Returns to Dreamland, Kirby Triple Deluxe, Kirby Planet Robobot, and now the new Kirby for Switch. And, let me get this straight, I think that they are games that feel way too similar. I find it hard to be excited for a new one, because it is like if I had already played it.
Unlike Donkey Kong, Rayman or Mario, Kirby is not a series that has been able to present a lot of novel situations based purely on its level design. At least, not as much as to justify four entries that are that continuist. Yes, there are some good ideas in the games, but they are mixed randomly, they never offer a real challenge and there isn't any incentive to play with elegance, using the powers in order to break through the level and getting better at it.
What bothers me the most is that Kirby games COULD still take advantage of the actual base and keep it fresh with not much effort. These are just some examples:
· Kirby Returns to Dreamland introduced ability-based challenges that showed an amazing level design and some arcade touch, with a clever score system and some good difficulty. If the games had followed that trail designing the core levels like that and maintaining the score system, maybe I would be more interested, so I think that is something that could be easily done. Something like the Jungle Beat of Kirbys, following the steps of those challenges that, anyway, could perfectly be played like normal levels by people not interested in the scores (like Donkey Kong Country Returns/Tropical Freeze levels can be played at a normal pacing, but also offer an incentive of mastering them with the time trials).
· Kirby could also try again the Metroidvania genre. After all, The Great Cave Offensive is one of the most enjoyable modes of Kirby Superstar, and Amazing Mirror failed because of the execution and the map design, not because of the formula not working with the Kirby mechanics.
· A game based exclusively on boss battles. If there is something that Hal Laboratory does really well nowadays is making spectacular battles and designing creatures with awesome routines (being sincere, the final wave of showdowns in Planet Robobot is what I enjoyed of the game the most). And I'm not talking about a minigame with recycled bosses (I'm looking at you, Clash Deluxe), but about a brand new entry focused on fighting new enemies, just like Alien Soldier or Cuphead.
Notice that all of these are ideas that still could use the actual base of modern Kirbys (I haven't even talked about jumping to the 3D), so I don't think I'm really asking for too much. Four entries in five years are too many, specially if they are that similar between them. I really think that Kirby is a series with a lot of potential, but it has become stagnant for too long, so if other series like Mario or Zelda are now jumping to another level, it's time for Hal Laboratories to be a bit more ambitious if they want their mascot to be still relevant. Or, at least, if they want many of us to feel excited to play a new Kirby again.
*Excuse me for my English, I'm not native!
