Kirby and the Forgotten Land Is Out Today! Will It Live Up to the Hype?

Nintendo's latest and arguably the biggest Kirby game, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, is now out in stores. Despite the game being relatively new, the game is getting high review scores from websites like Gamespot, Metacritic, and IGN.

However, does the game really live up to the hype?

Kirby and the Forgotten Land Details: Plot, Gameplay, and More

According to the game's Fandom page, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a 3D platformer game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It features the adventures of Kirby in his quest to rescue the Waddle Dees from the Beast Pack with his friend, Elfilin, in a strange and mysterious new world where nature and civilization have become one.

The game gives players the option of playing two difficulty modes: a light, breezy adventure or a more challenging experience, per the game's official page.

Aside from Kirby's classic ability to copy enemies' abilities (of which there are 12), the game allows Kirby to inhale real-world objects for new abilities using Mouthful mode. For example, if Kirby swallows a lightbulb, he can emanate light, just like a lightbulb could. He could also inhale a car and turn himself into one that can slam through walls and travel faster and farther.

Additionally, the game also allows players to evolve the 12 standard abilities Kirby can copy. Each of the standard abilities can lead to two evolved abilities that deal greater amounts of damage and additional features compared to its standard version. For example, the standard Needle ability can turn to either the Crystal Needle ability or the Clutter Needle ability.

The game also allows for online cooperative play or online co-op where one player controls Kirby, and the other controls the spear-wielding Bandana Waddle Dee, who can spin and stab with his trusty spear.

Finally, the game has various minigames and puzzles for players and their co-op partners to experience. Some of these require the two players to help each other while some are just living the moment, like cooking meals for the locals in a restaurant, per Nintendo Life's review of the game.

Media and User Verdict: Does the Game Live Up to the Hype?

Kirby and the Forgotten Land has been receiving high review scores from gamers and critics alike. According to Metacritic, the game has generally favorable reviews, scoring an 84 based on 67 critic reviews as of the writing of this article. Most players who left reviews on Metacritic's page for the game applauded its light-hearted atmosphere and the motivation it gives them to explore every single area due to the game's various minigames, puzzles, and cooperative experiences that extend the game's longevity.

Some players noted the game's limited "renewal" as if the game feels like a half-step forward, but appreciates everything the game has to offer and more.

Nintendo Life gave the game a 9/10, stating that its main campaign is entertaining for all ages and that the game's themed worlds have a lot of things to do. It also commended the game's combat and side activities which adds replayability. However, Nintendo Life's review mentioned that some bosses and mechanics feel repetitive due to them being "wheeled out" multiple times.

Gamespot also found the same conclusion in its review, although it added that some of the game's hidden secrets cannot be reasonably found during players' first run of the game.

Finally, IGN mentioned applauded the game's controls as it allows players to freely move around the game's various themed worlds. It also commends Kirby's copy abilities and his new Mouthful Mode, and that interested players should "get ready for an unforgettable adventure" when playing the game.

Simply put, the game does live up to the hype but can leave some players wishing for more. Whether that is a good or bad thing depends on the player's preference.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land can be bought from the Nintendo Store for $59.99.