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Kirby and the Forgotten Land devs on the pressure of getting 3D Kirby right

https://nintendoeverything.com/kirb...vs-on-the-pressure-of-getting-3d-kirby-right/

An interesting article I came across about Kirby and the Forgotten Land's develpoment, key staff were interviewed about the game, a point I found notable was that they got one shot to make a successful 3D Kirby and there was resistiance within Nintendo to make a 3D Kirby. There was also the aspect of translating 2D to 3D, they "amplified" the 2D aspects into 3D rather than a direct translation of the 2D mechanics into 3D...reading these tidbits made me want to resume the game after giving it a break
 
The 2nd (I believe) trailer really killed my excitement for this game. I was under the impression it was going to be some sprawling 3D platformer akin to a Super Mario 64 or Banjo Kazooie, instead it looked like a super linear "basically a 2D game but in 3D" and I was instantly changed from Day 1 to "maybe if it's put on a steep discount". Anybody who prefers those games or loves this Kirby game I'm not saying you're wrong but just that that style of 3D isn't something that excites me unless everything else about it is perfect. It disappoints me because Kirby seems like the perfect character and world to fit a true 3D platformer
 

TLZ

Banned
60fps patch when?
the wire no GIF
 

Poppyseed

Member
The 2nd (I believe) trailer really killed my excitement for this game. I was under the impression it was going to be some sprawling 3D platformer akin to a Super Mario 64 or Banjo Kazooie, instead it looked like a super linear "basically a 2D game but in 3D" and I was instantly changed from Day 1 to "maybe if it's put on a steep discount". Anybody who prefers those games or loves this Kirby game I'm not saying you're wrong but just that that style of 3D isn't something that excites me unless everything else about it is perfect. It disappoints me because Kirby seems like the perfect character and world to fit a true 3D platformer
You’re not missing anything. It’s a very limited game that’s really, really adorable but clearly designed for 10-year-old kids. Adults have far, far better games to play, especially games for kids AND adults, which this clearly isn’t. Was super disappointed in what a limited game it is.
 
I for one believe the Kirby franchise has been on an incredible run. I’m happy the devs put so much thought into the game even though Kirby is often seen as a simple experience.
 

64bitmodels

Reverse groomer.
they nailed it, the game plays well while still feeling like kirby.... but they should have nailed it in 2002 rather than 2022 lol
 

64bitmodels

Reverse groomer.
The 2nd (I believe) trailer really killed my excitement for this game. I was under the impression it was going to be some sprawling 3D platformer akin to a Super Mario 64 or Banjo Kazooie, instead it looked like a super linear "basically a 2D game but in 3D" and I was instantly changed from Day 1 to "maybe if it's put on a steep discount". Anybody who prefers those games or loves this Kirby game I'm not saying you're wrong but just that that style of 3D isn't something that excites me unless everything else about it is perfect. It disappoints me because Kirby seems like the perfect character and world to fit a true 3D platformer
the linear levels are still very open with tons of shortcuts and secrets. i dont see how you can call it "basically a 2d game in 3d" when it literally has a fuckin z axis. by that logic, games like prince of persia, crash bandicoot, Sonic Adventure, super luckys tale, are all not "true" 3d platformers because their level design is slightly less open.
 

64bitmodels

Reverse groomer.
i hope with this all future kirby games are 3d and its seen as an evolution to the formula rather than just a one and done back to 2.5d type of thing
 

ResurrectedContrarian

Suffers with mild autism
I've been playing this with my son, and it's a quality game. The only complaint I have is that co-op is extremely limited. As the helper player, your moveset is boring and the camera panning / zooming takes no account of you, so you're constantly getting yanked back to the other player as they explore.
 
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CS Lurker

Member
The day before the release I read the Ask the Developer Vol. 4 which was about the game. It was a very interesting read for me. It's amazing to see how these people work with the same franchise for decades. It's their baby basically. They are so emotionally invested with the character/IP. It's not something you see a lot...
Knowing about things like this makes me have more consideration for their work. I can criticize some aspects here and there, but in the end the product in much more important to them than it is to me. I'm really excited to see what they are bringing next.

edit: link for the Ask the Developer
 
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Bragr

Banned
Just finished it not that long ago, and the amount of end-game stuff is impressive. The last boss is also completely bonkers, I didn't expect the game to turn into some freak horror show.

The mini-challenges also provide some challenge and trial and error gameplay that I didn't expect but turned out sort of addictive.

I also like the gacha stuff and the small mini-games. I wish there were more of those rolling ball levels.

And the production quality is great, it's a very well put together software. Great game.
 
the linear levels are still very open with tons of shortcuts and secrets. i dont see how you can call it "basically a 2d game in 3d" when it literally has a fuckin z axis. by that logic, games like prince of persia, crash bandicoot, Sonic Adventure, super luckys tale, are all not "true" 3d platformers because their level design is slightly less open.

I've never played Prince of Persia of Sonic Adventure, but calling Crash Bandicoot "slightly" less open than games like Mario 64 or Banjo Kazooie is incredibly disingenuous. When you're basically going through a narrow hallway from point A to point B that's a very different type of game, also yeah it has a Z axis, why do you think I said "basically" a 2D game? It's obviously not a 2D game by the fact there's 3 dimensions, but it's designed like a 2D game, just with an incredibly limited 3rd dimension
 

Tams

Gold Member
I've never played Prince of Persia of Sonic Adventure, but calling Crash Bandicoot "slightly" less open than games like Mario 64 or Banjo Kazooie is incredibly disingenuous. When you're basically going through a narrow hallway from point A to point B that's a very different type of game, also yeah it has a Z axis, why do you think I said "basically" a 2D game? It's obviously not a 2D game by the fact there's 3 dimensions, but it's designed like a 2D game, just with an incredibly limited 3rd dimension
That sounds almost as bad as complaining that an RTS game isn't an FPS game.
 
https://nintendoeverything.com/kirb...vs-on-the-pressure-of-getting-3d-kirby-right/

An interesting article I came across about Kirby and the Forgotten Land's develpoment, key staff were interviewed about the game, a point I found notable was that they got one shot to make a successful 3D Kirby and there was resistiance within Nintendo to make a 3D Kirby. There was also the aspect of translating 2D to 3D, they "amplified" the 2D aspects into 3D rather than a direct translation of the 2D mechanics into 3D...reading these tidbits made me want to resume the game after giving it a break
It's seriously one of the best games of the year. 9.5/10 for me.

And yeah, they basically continued the model of Triple Deluxe and Planet Robobot (which were 2D games with 3D screen). The new one is very similar to those two in feel, but made in 3D. I compare it to Mario 3D World; a 3D game but with a mostly fixed camera and linear level design giving it the feel of a 2D game.
 
It's seriously one of the best games of the year. 9.5/10 for me.

And yeah, they basically continued the model of Triple Deluxe and Planet Robobot (which were 2D games with 3D screen). The new one is very similar to those two in feel, but made in 3D. I compare it to Mario 3D World; a 3D game but with a mostly fixed camera and linear level design giving it the feel of a 2D game.
Yup! When I get the chance I want to beat Forgotten Land, then try out Robobot after it
 
Seems like it was a success as I've heard good things about Forgotten Land, but I was pretty disappointed when it turned out to be a Mario 3D Land/World type of game. To me it's like combining the worst aspects of 2D and 3D. While I believe it was a big step for the devs, it seems like just about the safest transition to 3D they could have possibly done for Kirby.
 

Tams

Gold Member
Seems like it was a success as I've heard good things about Forgotten Land, but I was pretty disappointed when it turned out to be a Mario 3D Land/World type of game. To me it's like combining the worst aspects of 2D and 3D. While I believe it was a big step for the devs, it seems like just about the safest transition to 3D they could have possibly done for Kirby.
Yeah, well going down in flames isn't as cool or fun as it looks.
 

Belthazar

Member
Unfortunately it was a disappointment for me. I tried it for about an hour on PC and completely lost interest due to how limited the game is.

I mean, it's not bad and definitely a polished experience that would be amazing as a transition to 3d for Kirby in the 90s, but for 2022 it just didn't do it for me.
 

Tams

Gold Member
Unfortunately it was a disappointment for me. I tried it for about an hour on PC and completely lost interest due to how limited the game is.

I mean, it's not bad and definitely a polished experience that would be amazing as a transition to 3d for Kirby in the 90s, but for 2022 it just didn't do it for me.
Be honest here, you pirated it.
 

nial

Gold Member
And Nintendo makes better platformers than them. :)
To each own, I personally think Tropical Freeze is leagues ahead of NSMBU
and Mario Odyssey
Anyway, on the topic of Kirby, I tried the demo and found it to be decently fun, but not something I'd pay full price for. Maybe in a discount.
 
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Scotty W

Member
To each own, I personally think Tropical Freeze is leagues ahead of NSMBU
and Mario Odyssey

I agree about Tropical Freeze- but I would also add that 4 player NSMB are some of the most fun gaming experiences there are.
 
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