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Kirby's Epic Yarn

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Kirby's Epic Yarn
North American box art
Developer(s)Good-Feel and HAL Laboratory[3]
Publisher(s)Nintendo
SeriesKirby[4]
Platform(s)Wii
Genre(s)Platformer[4]
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer[4]

Kirby's Epic Yarn (毛糸のカービィ, Keito no Kābī, lit. "Kirby of Yarn") is the tenth platform installment of the Kirby video game series, developed for the Wii video game console by Good Feel, Inc., with supervision from HAL Laboratory.

After five years of speculation, it was officially unveiled at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010.[5] It is the first entry in the Kirby series on a home console since 2003's Kirby Air Ride and its first home console platform game since 2000's Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards.[4]

Plot

One day, while walking through Dream Land, Kirby spots what seems to be an odd looking maximum tomato and decides to eat it. However, the "maximum tomato" (later revealed to be a "Metamato") belonged to an evil wizard named Yin-Yarn who becomes angry at Kirby and sucks him into Patch Land, where everything, including himself, is made of yarn. Upon arriving in this strange world, Kirby saves a young prince named Fluff from an enemy. After Prince Fluff explains Yin-Yarn's evil plans, Kirby agrees to help him.[6] Kirby also discovers that the Metamato allows himself to transform into various forms, such as a car.[7]

Gameplay

The game is played with the Wii Remote held sideways. Differing from earlier games in the Kirby series, Kirby uses a whip-like ability to attack enemies, swing on buttons to gain altitude and interact with the environment, while his usual ability to copy enemies by swallowing them has been removed. Tapping the attack button will defeat most basic enemies, while holding down the button will capture them and turn them into a ball of yarn, which Kirby can then throw. Kirby also no longer floats like in previous games, instead gliding in the form of a parachute, as well as turning into a car for extra speed and transforming into an anvil to drop with force from the air. Certain parts of the game see him transform into, among other things, a surfing penguin, a dolphin, a power mole, a UFO, a train, a musical note, a fire engine, a dune buggy, a rocket and a giant robot, some forms controlled by tilting the Wii Remote, or in the case of the train, by using the Remote's infrared pointer. Akin to games in the Wario Land series, each level has three secret treasure chests for Kirby to find, some of which can unlock extra levels. Also, coloured beads are scattered throughout every level, which Kirby can collect to increase a score and earn medals at the end of the level, which in turn unlock side levels that provide a greater challenge.[8] However, if he is hit by an enemy, some of the beads will be dropped, although it does not appear that there is any way for Kirby to die. These beads can be spent in an in-game shop to purchase furniture, which can then be used to customise Kirby's living space. Occasionally, other characters will show up in Kirby's living space and set him challenges, such as time trials and collecting all the beads in a level.[9] A second player can play as Prince Fluff. The two players can stand on or throw each other in order to reach otherwise inaccessible areas, and the second player is sometimes able to use additional mechanisms during the vehicle sections.

The game features graphics rendered in a unique knitted design somewhat reminiscent of Yoshi's Story and the Japanese commercial of Kirby's Adventure, though particularly more drastic, based on animated yarn and a world of cloth and textiles.[4] The game works its graphics style into the gameplay through creating interaction between the game and its graphical style, such as allowing Kirby to pull on buttons, stray threads and zips and spin balls of yarn to reveal hidden areas or alter the shape of the terrain.[4] Playing as a traditional 2D platform game, and retains the series trademark of Kirby being able to alter his shape to suit the challenges before him, both in common action and transformation into vehicles such as a car or a submarine.[4] It also seems to have some gameplay/graphic elements similar to those in the Paper Mario franchise.[4]

Two classic Kirby characters will also return. King Dedede (shown in a later trailer with strings attached to him) and Meta Knight were shown in a Japanese advertisements and trailers for the game; both of them will serve as bosses. In addition, traditional series bosses, including Whispy Woods and Kracko, have also been shown through the same sources.

Development

In the December 2007 issue of Official Nintendo Magazine, it was stated in the "Ask Nintendo" section that a Kirby game for Wii was not currently in development.[10] On January 29, 2010, on a report of Nintendo games slated for release, Hoshi No Kirby appeared on the list for a TBA release date, which leads to speculation as to whether the game was finally resurfacing for a 2010 release. On May 7, 2010 Nintendo confirmed that Kirby Wii was still in the making,[11] and the game was officially announced during Nintendo's 90 minute conference at E3 2010 on June 15, 2010[5] with the visuals and design concept completely different from what had been originally shown for the untitled Kirby game. The yarn graphics were created by taking digital images of yarn and fabric and placing them under polygons in order to give an authentic feel.[12] Originally, the game was developed under the name "Keito no Fluff" (lit. "Fluff of Yarn") and featured Prince Fluff as the main character. In the summer of 2009, Nintendo proposed to alter the game into a Kirby game. Good-Feel thought Kirby felt right as the main character but they still wanted Prince Fluff to make it into the final product so Prince Fluff became Kirby's sidekick rather than the main character.[13]

Reception

Pre-release

Kirby's Epic Yarn won numerous awards following its E3 2010 appearance, including the prestigious Game of the Show award from GameSpot and the G4 television show Reviews on the Run. Gamespot also named it as the Best Wii Game, Best Platformer and nominated it for Best Graphics.[16] The game received the award for Best Overall Game from Nintendo Life as well.[17] Additionally, it won the Best Graphics award from GameTrailers, beating out notable contenders like Crysis 2, Killzone 3, and Gears of War 3.[18] GameTrailers also awarded it the Best Platformer title.[19] It was named Best Wii Game by 1UP.com,[20] Nintendo World Report[21] and Kotaku, and awarded Best Character Design by Kotaku as well.

Game Revolution editor Nick Tan praised Kirby amongst other games as a great revival, commenting that unlike the other titles, it completely refashions the character Kirby. He compares the graphical style to Yoshi's Story, describing it as a "ball of whimsy" and calling it a "certified winner" of E3.[22] Siliconera editor Jenni agreed, stating that she was excited to play the game after seeing its trailer, commenting that the game looked great on the HDTV she played it on.[23] GamesRadar editor Brett Elston described Epic Yarn as the "cutest, most charming game" for the Wii. He commented that it was a relief to see something interesting in the series, describing recent titles such as Kirby Air Ride, Kirby: Squeak Squad, and Kirby Super Star Ultra as being stale.[24] While The Escapist editor Steve Butts was largely disinterested in Kirby's Epic Yarn in the face of bigger titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Donkey Kong Country Returns, and Metroid: Other M, he stated that after playing it, he felt that it was the strongest title amongst Nintendo's E3 lineup, citing the visual style and gameplay. He noted that the game felt somewhat easy.[25]

Post-release

The critical reception to Kirby's Epic Yarn has been largely positive. IGN gave the game a 9.0 score and an Editor's Choice award, calling it "an amazing looking game that embraces traditional platforming designs in fresh new ways."[15] GameTrailers gave the game a score of 8.4, praising its presentation and imaginitive gameplay, though criticising the inability to die. GameSpot gave the game a score of 8.5, stating that "[Kirby Epic Yarn's] story levels are way too easy", but that the graphics and overall fun made up for its shortcomings. [26] GamesRadar gave the game 9/10, praising its "impossibly adorable graphics" and classic Nintendo gameplay.[14] Kotaku gave the game an Editor's Choice award, calling it "a game designed for constant smiling, a side-scroller that will soothe the stressed."[27] Nintendo World Report gave the game a perfect score of 10, stating that "the joyous platformer might not be difficult, but it's fun, inventive, and outrageously imaginative."[28] 1Up gave the game an A-, with praise for the creativity of the levels and the thematic visuals.[29]

References

  1. ^ Official Japanese site
  2. ^ "Dates Announced for New Kirby, Donkey Kong and Pokémon Games". Nintendo. August 17, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  3. ^ "Kirby's Epic Yarn Developed By Good Feel". Nintendoworldreport.com. June 15, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "KIRBY'S EPIC YARN™". Nintendo E3 Network. June 15, 2010.
  5. ^ a b "E3 2010: Kirby Epic Yarn Announced". N-Europe. June 15, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  6. ^ http://www.gametrailers.com/video/tgs-10-kirbys-epic/704510
  7. ^ http://www.kirbykirbykirby.com/#/story
  8. ^ http://uk.gamespot.com/wii/adventure/kirbysepicyarn/news.html?sid=6275959&mode=previews
  9. ^ http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/kirbys-epic-yarn/preview/kirbys-epic-yarn-hands-on-zomg-cute/a-20100915134410690027/g-2010061595258540094
  10. ^ "Say it ain't so - No Kirby game in development for Wii". GoNintendo. December 17, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
  11. ^ "Financial Results Briefing for the Three-Month Period ended June 2009" (pdf). NCL. July 31, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
  12. ^ "Kirby's Epic Yarn Interview". G4tv. June 29, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  13. ^ http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/10/07/iwata_asks_kirby/
  14. ^ a b "Kirby's Epic Yarn super review by Brett Elston, GamesRadar US". GamesRadar. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  15. ^ a b Harris, Craig (October 15, 2010). "Kirby's Epic Yarn Review". IGN. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
  16. ^ "GameSpot's Best of E3 2010". GameSpot. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  17. ^ "E3 2010: Best of E3 Awards". Nintendolife.com. July 6, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  18. ^ "Best Of E3 2010 Awards". GameTrailers. June 25, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  19. ^ "Best Of E3 2010 Awards". GameTrailers. June 30, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  20. ^ 1UP.com Staff. "1UP's Best Games of E3 2010". 1UP.com. p. 1. Retrieved 2010-06-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "NWR E3 2010 Awards". Nintendoworldreport.com. June 26, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  22. ^ "Kirby's Epic Yarn Preview for WII". Gamerevolution.com. June 21, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  23. ^ "Hands On Kirby's Epic Yarn And Kirby's Epic Yarn Robot". Siliconera.com. June 25, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  24. ^ http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/kirbys-epic-yarn/preview/e3-2010-kirbys-epic-yarn-first-impressions/a-20100616142928227056/g-2010061595258540094
  25. ^ http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/conferences/e32010/7735-E3-2010-Kirby-s-Epic-Yarn-Hands-On
  26. ^ http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-kirbys-epic/706189
  27. ^ http://kotaku.com/5664746/review-kirbys-epic-yarn
  28. ^ http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/24272
  29. ^ http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?pager.offset=0&cId=3181897&p=
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