Yarn lens flare.
I’ve really struggled with how I should open this review, but I think the statement above offers the best summation of Kirby’s Epic Yarn short of something that reads like the opening of a press release. Coming from Good Feel, the same team that brought 2008’s Wario Land: Shake It, Epic Yarn continues the trend of Wii games that instead of being constrained by the inherent shortfalls of the system, use it as an opportunity to explore differing art styles and gameplay mechanics.
Game: Kirby’s Epic Yarn
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Good Feel
Genre: Platformer
Price: $49.99
Verdict: A must buy for anyone that seriously loves video games.
Pros: Incredible art style and various game changing transformations.
Cons: Apparent lack of difficulty may be a turnoff for some
Purchased by reviewer
The aesthetic that is carried throughout Yarn proves to be its sticking point, and with good reason, because it is simply incredible. G4TV revealed at this year’s E3 that yarn and fabric were utilized in the actual creation of the visuals by layering digital images with polygons to add an “authentic feel” to the differing domestic materials. When you look at Epic Yarn in comparison to Nintendo’s other foray into the world of household-product-inspired game design, as in the Paper Mario series, Yarn proves that the textures of materials make all the difference. In contrast to the flat and layered look of Paper Mario, Yarn’s fabric backgrounds seem to add a much-needed feeling of depth and variety to each level.
Narrative wise, Yarn channels the stylistic approach of a children’s storybook, and although I could find issue with this simplistic and somewhat lazy approach, it became oddly endearing and reminiscent of a childhood spent predominantly with books as opposed to video games. After being transformed into a yarn doppelganger of himself by a magic sock–yes you read that right…a magic sock–Kirby loses his series-defining mechanic of hijacking enemy powers in favor of a few that are at his disposal at all times and a number that are triggered throughout numerous levels. Constant powers include the ability to turn into a car for speedy traversal, a rock for block and enemy smashing, a submarine for underwater exploration, as well as a parachute for slowing descents. It’s fantastic to have these powers at the ready, but it is the triggered transformations (which to name a few include a fire truck, dune buggy, UFO, and giant-mecha Kirby) that provide some of Yarn’s most inspired gameplay. I should also mention that I played through a majority of the game co-op with my brother, and it is one of the few games we have both genuinely enjoyed playing with one another.
Some reviewers have (rightly) criticized Yarn for its apparent lack of difficulty and the inability to die, but this rationale seems flawed and shallow at the experience that is offered in its place. Taking a page from the Wario games, there are three treasures to be found throughout each level and a bevy of jewels (think coins in Wario) that contribute to a score on a level-by-level basis. Collecting certain treasures and fulfilling a mini-game that sees Kirby as an interior designer unlocks challenge levels that add an extra incentive to seek out each and every treasure chest. The lack of character death is replaced by a serious drain of your jewel count making it necessary to avoid taking hits and ill advised jumps in order to attain a higher grade. So, yes you can’t die and it is pretty easy (certainly in comparison to NSMB Wii), but Yarn’s background collection mechanics provides an additional challenge for those seeking it. Yarn is not Super Meat Boy, but it is still one heck of a platformer.
The music featured throughout is a tad understated for the series, but it hits all the right notes when it needs to. In keeping with the other stylistic decisions, the instrumentation featured predominantly throughout seems to co-opt sounds typically associated with lullabies through sweeping strings and melancholic piano melodies. Its takes on the series’ unforgettable staples “Fountain of Dreams” and “Green Greens” are truly exceptional.
In short, Epic Yarn is the perfect amalgamation of ideas and elements presented by a number of other Nintendo titles (Warioland, Paper Mario, Yoshi’s Story, Canvas Curse) into one amazing package. While I can’t guarantee you’ll get as much enjoyment out of Epic Yarn as I did, if you identify yourself as someone who truly loves video games, you would be doing yourself a disservice by ignoring this game.
GrE Grade: A
Popularity: unranked [?]
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