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What is GAF's consensus on Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze?

Acerac

Banned
Amazing game that I'm not good enough to play.

Mario taught me to always hold down the run button. That is extremely difficult to maintain in this game if you don't have the areas down pat.
 

AniHawk

Member
What would keep you from recommending it? The difficulty?

the controls and level design. i think grabbing should be automatic. i think double jumping should not be tied to tapping the button again in mid-air. i think that if you tap the button a second time in mid-air, it should be consistent across buddies so you don't activate diddy's hover or whatever.

the level design is mostly left-to-right stuff with an obstacle above or below you. this isn't bit.trip runner. the point of the game isn't constant speed with obstacles in your way and a second to dodge them. i needed some more vertical platforming in this game and came away with a sort of generic blandness.

i also am not a fan of recycling nsmb's world map system, down to the same blue/red circles to signify a level. i'm sure there had to be a better way.

oh and the rocket levels are hot garbage.

i think that's it.

What would you recommend over it, if you don't mind me asking?

i'll just list some from the last five years with some detail:

new super luigi u - probably the tightest platforming i've played in the 2d space recently? 100-second levels, no checkpoints, and special coins to gather along the way give this game a tension most mario games don't have.

bit.trip runner - the backgrounds can become tiresome and sometimes distracting, but the forced runner aspect and multiple secrets per level make it a game of greatly improving your skill as you play. i was surprised to go back to early levels and find i could 100% them when they had given me trouble the first time through.

rayman legends - funny, charming, and full of content. but of course it would be when it's developed by god-king, michel ancel.

tearaway - while not 2d, this has the important distinction of being the only platformer with a story i cared about. the platforming here is fine, and sometimes challenging. the vita game in particular utilized the systems many features in clever and ways that made the interaction between the player and what was happening on screen even stronger. it's not easy to do.

sonic colors - in 2010, it was basically sonic team saying 'yeah we're back', kicking things off with gameplay. it's stylish like sonic had been, with level design in 2d and 3d that rewarded exploration and solid reflexes. the pacing was perfect, with headliner levels lasting up to 5 minutes, while others might be only 45 seconds long and center around a single, simple idea. great soundtrack too.
 

Cody_D165

Banned
soundtrack alone cements the game as incredible

DAVID FUCKING WISE

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Revven

Member
Greatest platformer I've played in recent memory. Not to mention an amazing soundtrack to complement the levels. It's also a very memorable experience.

I loved it so much I 100%'d it (not 200% though lol).

Gets hate only because of Retro not working on a Metroid game but meh this was an awesome game and if you haven't played it you're doing yourself a disservice. Go out and play it now.
 

PrimeTime

Member
If you're a diehard for platforms, this was the game for you. If you love the series, this was a great entry for you.

However, if you were any fan of Retro and Metroid, you were severely disappointed that the the 3 year gap in releases by that studio ended up being DKCR's successor, rather than than a new chapter in the Metroid Universe or even an original IP.

For me, the game just felt like more of the same, which is good, but not what I wanted or asked for esp. when I forked over the $350 to see Nintendo's vision of gaming for the near future.

The game was also at a point where fans were wondering how the Gamepad would revolutionize gaming....and to see it just crap out in that respect added salt to the wound.

In short, I'd say it was a pretty good game tarnished by the fact that everyone saw Nintendo was playing it safe.
 
the controls and level design. i think grabbing should be automatic. i think double jumping should not be tied to tapping the button again in mid-air. i think that if you tap the button a second time in mid-air, it should be consistent across buddies so you don't activate diddy's hover or whatever.

the level design is mostly left-to-right stuff with an obstacle above or below you. this isn't bit.trip runner. the point of the game isn't constant speed with obstacles in your way and a second to dodge them. i needed some more vertical platforming in this game and came away with a sort of generic blandness.

i also am not a fan of recycling nsmb's world map system, down to the same blue/red circles to signify a level. i'm sure there had to be a better way.

oh and the rocket levels are hot garbage.

i think that's it.
While there's no Toxic Tower style vertical levels in Retro's DKC games, I'd say there's still a ton of times where a level's layout will lead to you going up or down or you're plonked in a large open area you can interact with. Comparing it to Bit.Trip Runner is way off mark.

Can't argue with the rocket levels being unnecessary and the map still being too NSMB-influenced, but given the improvements made to the former from between Returns and TF while the latter is an even tinier part of the game, it's very hard to hold that against DKCTF. I similarly loved Rayman Legends but I would consider it pretty bare-bones compared to Tropical Freeze level-wise. Hell, half its levels are literally just remasters of Origins'.
 

RomanceDawn

Member
Man Anihawk, I couldn't disagree more but then different strokes I guess.

The controls, the layout of the stages, time attack, difficulty, music and rocket barrels were all amazing for me. I know once the game out the consensus around here was very very positive, people were just mad Retro's game wasn't dark and gritty during the reveal.

This is one of my favorite games of all time.
 
it was an improvement over dkcr, but far from a platformer i would recommend to anyone.

It's totally fine to dislike a game, but it seems odd to actively not recommend the game to anyone, even though the consensus is clearly that the game is fantastic , and thus would very likely appeal to most fans of platformers

There are a ton of games I personally dislike, but would still recommend to others. I'm well aware of when I'm in a minority and I don't let that affect someone else potentially missing out on an experience they might love
 
the level design is mostly left-to-right stuff with an obstacle above or below you. this isn't bit.trip runner. the point of the game isn't constant speed with obstacles in your way and a second to dodge them. i needed some more vertical platforming in this game and came away with a sort of generic blandness.

...since when is running left to right and reacting to obstacles bland? Most platformers, you run left to right and react to obstacles. :p


tearaway - while not 2d, this has the important distinction of being the only platformer with a story i cared about. the platforming here is fine, and sometimes challenging. the vita game in particular utilized the systems many features in clever and ways that made the interaction between the player and what was happening on screen even stronger. it's not easy to do.

Amusingly, while I agree that Tearaway has an unmatched ability to make you feel like you're holding a little world in your hands, I felt the platformer elements were so barebones and pathetically easy that they felt out of place. It felt like I was taking a break from the interesting, inventive stuff whenever I'd walk into an area that was nothing but drum bouncers and slowly unfolding ledges.
 

Marjar

Banned
It's okay. I didn't really like it much. For whatever reason I didn't find it all that fun and don't understand all the praise it got.

Same goes for the soundtrack. People were crazy over it, but it didn't really leave much of an impression on me.
 

Phediuk

Member
It's okay. I didn't really like it much. For whatever reason I didn't find it all that fun and don't understand all the praise it got.

Same goes for the soundtrack. People were crazy over it, but it didn't really leave much of an impression on me.

Agreed. I really can't remember anything about the game or its soundtrack, and I beat the damn thing. Wasn't bad, just forgettable.
 

fernoca

Member
Around here, I got the impression that it sometimes gets too much praise, especially the soundtrack (mention David Wise and some even start precummin') .

I really liked the game, but some reactions put it as if it was God's gift to us mortals, and games like Super Mario 3D World are a disgrace in comparison.

It is a really good game that sadly underperformed.
 

Gator86

Member
TF was great. I don't think it quite hits the best 2D platformer of all time quality some do, but it's a stellar game.

Also, Transistor in your GOTY list last year, OP?
giphy.gif
 

Clive

Member
I'm still a bit upset about neither this or Returns supporting the OG Wii Pro Controller. Ruined the co-op experience for me completely since I don't have a Wii U Pro Controller. There seriously isn't any reason for it. Fantastic game apart from that oversight though.
 

Meaty

Member
Perhaps one of the best 2D platformer of all time.

Each level in itself is a spectacle. Each with its own twist, soundtrack, and story to tell. It is difficult but its not unfair. The music is easily amongst the best ever composed in gaming.


Id say some of the rocket barrel levels were unfair. Dont get me wrong, best platformer ever IMO, but there were some bits where youd get a visual cue of danger and if you were at the wrong spot on the screen youd be dead no matter what(made those levels more of a memorizing the stage which is boring for me). Just a small flaw in an otherwise perfect game.
 

RK128

Member
Don't own a Wii U (so don't take my post at face value) but the game is outstanding and blows DKCR out of the water, and that was a great game on its own :D.

The level design is so alive and active, the presentation is very strong and colorful, the level tropes are more unique compared to DKCR, and the musical score is some of David Wise's best work.

Really fantastic game and while many wanted Retro to save the Metroid series after it effectively got its Sonic 06, I'm glad they made DKC:TF; one of the best games on the Nintendo Wii U :).
 
M

Macapala

Unconfirmed Member
Easily my favourite platformer ever. Brilliant graphics, level design, controls, music etc. etc.
The bosses in the game are easily the best the series has ever had and the swimming controls are perfect! World four rules!

100 hours in and I'm still playing.

the controls and level design. i think grabbing should be automatic. i think double jumping should not be tied to tapping the button again in mid-air. i think that if you tap the button a second time in mid-air, it should be consistent across buddies so you don't activate diddy's hover or whatever. .

What's the big deal with having to hold a button to grab objects? It works perfectly fine once you get use to it.

I agree with you about the double jump thing though.
 
Like Yoshi's Woolly World, it was received super well by audiences, but not as much by reviewers (I think it's a sign of the times - reviewers are giving much lower scores to 2D platformers).
 
One of the best platformers I've played in the past 5 years.

I busted out Busted Bayou the other day and it's probably my favorite track on the OST, especially since that music and level came out of nowhere for me. So magical.

Like Yoshi's Woolly World, it was received super well by audiences, but not as much by reviewers (I think it's a sign of the times - reviewers are giving much lower scores to 2D platformers).

Funny you bring up Yoshi, because Yoshi and DKC:TF are both super chill platformers with god-tier soundtracks, but will end up selling like, 10 copies.
 

Bluth54

Member
One of the best 2D platformers ever made and the triumphant return of David Wise to the Donkey Kong Country franchise.
 

Yukinari

Member
You know what nobody brings up? Stickerbrush Symphony doesnt play on the bramble level.

It only plays in a tiny starting section to one of the rocket barrel levels. This fantastic song is fucking wasted. Infact i feel like David Wise went a little too soft with DKC2 music as a whole in this game. The only songs to get full remixes are Stickerbrush and Lockjaw Saga.

And i love his work, but some songs in TF sound like DKC3 on GBA. Which was one of his weakest soundtracks.
 

Codeblue

Member
Got 6th in the game of the year thread and 1st in soundtrack of the year here on GAF. I'd say it was pretty well received.
 
You know what nobody brings up? Stickerbrush Symphony doesnt play on the bramble level.

It only plays in a tiny starting section to one of the rocket barrel levels. This fantastic song is fucking wasted. Infact i feel like David Wise went a little too soft with DKC2 music as a whole in this game. The only songs to get full remixes are Stickerbrush and Lockjaw Saga.

And i love his work, but some songs in TF sound like DKC3 on GBA. Which was one of his weakest soundtracks.
There's a 'In a Snowbound Land' remix in the ice pop level in the fruit island.
 

chaosblade

Unconfirmed Member
Echoing the sentiment that it's an great game with an amazing soundtrack. Probably too hard for the masses though.

The announcement got a lot of backlash though because people thought/hoped Retro was working on something else.
 
I found it boring to be honest. I really didn't like it since modern day side scrollers are not my cup of tea.

It definitely had good music and art direction though.
 

Lathentar

Looking for Pants
You know what nobody brings up? Stickerbrush Symphony doesnt play on the bramble level.

It only plays in a tiny starting section to one of the rocket barrel levels. This fantastic song is fucking wasted. Infact i feel like David Wise went a little too soft with DKC2 music as a whole in this game. The only songs to get full remixes are Stickerbrush and Lockjaw Saga.

And i love his work, but some songs in TF sound like DKC3 on GBA. Which was one of his weakest soundtracks.

Great version of stickerbrush plays in the credits.
 

Business

Member
Personally I found it too hard. I had no problem with champion road hard, but TP difficulty seemed a bit cheap at times. I also found the controls somewhat unprecise.
 

weekev

Banned
GAF hated the announcement because GAF wanted a Metroid announcement from Retro. But loved the game because its incredible.
 

EvilMario

Will QA for food.
It's my GOAT platformer, so there's that. I didn't even care for Returns that much, thought it was overrated. Tropical Freeze is just flat out the best platforming experience you could ask for though.
 
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