Kirbys Epic Yarn

Review from Cav - Sunday, 20 March 2011 @ 10:12pm

I have never really thought of Kirby as being �Epic�, but with the amount of gameplay that they have squeezed into this game, the title is quite apt. Kirby�s Epic Yarn is an amazing looking game that caters for all levels of gamers and has a tremendous story to go with it.

This time around, our rotund, pink friend gets himself into a spot of bother after eating the evil wizard Yin-Yarn�s prized Metamato. For his actions, Kirby finds himself dragged (through a vortex in an odd sock no less) into a world known as Patch Land made of cloth, wool, yarn fabric and the like � had haberdashers dream. Kirby, himself, has been transformed into a being of string and can no longer perform his usual feat of inhaling his enemies to take on their form and abilities. This time he goes Indiana Jones style, using a piece of string to attack his enemies, who are also made of string, wool and yarn and normally have buttons (your target) for eyes. He has the ability to turn into a submarine in water and a car on the land, as well as classics like a parachute to keep him from falling quickly and a weight to come crashing down on his foes. Upon arrival to Patch Land, Kirby comes across Prince Fluff, as cranky, blue version of himself. Prince Fluff accommodates the second player feature to the game. This is a great option.

Say ahh........

The game not only takes you across Patch Land, but Kirby�s old hang out, Dream Land as well. This gives players a massive amount of levels to plough through. Not only that, but during his travels, Kirby helps establish a block of flats, by supplying the �beads� he collects during the course of the game. He also has the opportunity to decorate these rooms with fabrics earned and furniture found. This, combined with the game�s Narrator, left me with Little Big Planet 2 flash backs. The tenants that come to occupy those flats also have mini games, for one or two players, to complete. This adds up to a whole lot of gaming goodness to be had.

The controls are basic and take us back to old school days, holding the WiiMote horizontally, with jump and whip being basically all you need. Only when you decorate the block of units you create do you need to hold the WiiMote in its normal, palmed, position. When Kirby hits certain points during the game, he transforms into various objects, which require the button to perform tasks different to normal. Don�t fret though; you are always informed of which buttons do what before it casts you into the thick of things. Some of these transformations are quite fun. There are shades of many retro games in these transformations and it�s nearly like homage to them: Galaga, Moon Patrol, R-Type and California Games Surfing come to mind.

Dedede! You're nothing but a puppet!

The ability to actually not die (well I never died during the course of the game � some of you may mark this as a feat for theCAVman) really makes this title available to all ages and skill levels. I was quite happy to play alongside my kids, often having to get them to slow down�. They can be bead-hungry little buggers when they want to�. But it was great to play a game that we could get into, enjoy and conquer together. There is a big whole in today�s market for such games. Beating enemies normally only takes a flick of your �yarn whip� but if you are hit by them, you lose some of the beads you have collected. Should you fall off a ledge, you will be picked up and taken back to the nearest �safe point�, dropping beads along the way, which can be collected again.

Jurassic Kirby: The Lost Stitch

When fighting bosses, how to defeat them is not always instantly apparent and you may have to take a few hits just to work out their pattern. Most bosses have a clothes button that you must whip and tug upon to defeat them and it the normal �three strikes� process. But to get to the button you must stun them and that�s where you have to assess their plan of attack and strike at the right moment. These boss fights are achievable in single player mode, but are much easier in co-op.

It�s quite amazing how good this game looks. The developers really took the idea of yarn and wool and made it look so life like. The textures are there and you almost want to reach out and touch it. Not only is Kirby recreated with yarn, but the likes of King Dedede and Meta Knight get a new look as well.

What's that red Smartie smiling at?

Pros

Two player is a huge bonus - Large variety of game play styles - Good story behind the game

Cons

Objectives not always obvious - may be a little easy for some