Developer Good-Feel had a great idea when pitching a new IP. Imagine a yarn world where the protagonist could interact with the fabric in the world and have a constantly changing effect on his surroundings. Nintendo looked at their recent string of hits with their new IP’s such as Geist, Chibi Robo and Glory of Heracles… they decided to throw Kirby into the mix. It may silence the fans who have been shouting for years asking for a new Kirby on consoles, but can it truly be Kirby if he doesn’t suck and blow? Copying powers may have become a staple for the pink puffball, but Epic Yarn proves he doesn’t need old mouth tricks to be entertaining.
If there was an award for having the most awkwardly awesome story in a video game this year, Epic Yarn would win hands down. After a wizard made of yarn, (appropriately named Yin-Yarn,) wanders into Dream Land, he decides it would be a good idea to turn everything into yarn with his threading needles of doom. Being the glutton that he is, Kirby steals the wizard’s tomato, which enrages him enough to send Kirby to the yarn world with his magic sock. Yes, I said his magic sock… Kirby’s body was transformed into yarn, which makes items he inhales go straight through him. So what’s a one move wonder to do? He befriends Prince Fluff, who teaches him how to control his new found yarn-ness and aids him on a quest to save both worlds from the threat of the evil thread.
It’s hard to imagine a game based around yarn would be so visually stunning, but Epic Yarn’s style is the biggest stand out of the game. Traveling across various worlds, Kirby uses his new yarn whip to latch onto buttons, pull back loose fabric to reveal hidden items and tear pieces of the environment away to alter the stage’s landscape. Some familiar enemies make appearances to mix in with the mostly new cast, but this time, the Star Warrior shows no mercy. Viciously crushing enemies into balls to throw at obsticles or completely disemboweling anyone that gets in his way, Kirby shows off his brutal side. But since everyone’s made of yarn, it just comes off looking really cute like.
Just because Kirby can’t absorb enemies this time doesn’t mean he doesn’t have any other tricks up his hollow yarn sleeves. His yarn body allows him to change into various forms, like a car or parachute for your basic platforming needs. Certain stages give him special transformations that bring a completely different game play dynamic so it’s not all just running from left to right. Rockets, giant tanks, UFO’s… there’s little he can’t do as long as it has nothing to do with what he could do before. On the subject of previous games, each stage has a plethora of unlockables that can be used to decorate Kirby’s rent free apartment. Decorating will attract friendly residents who will ask you to complete side missions, few of which are actually fun but give you something to do if you’re a completionist. Players are also ranked for how much currency, (appropriately called beads,) they can gather by the end of the level. Kirby can’t die, but each hit drains a huge chunk of beads, so aiming for those gold medals can become its own challenge. Each world ends with entertaining boss fights that take advantage of the unique graphics the game brings, but also uses them as a device to complete the fight. If there was ever a game to show off how an old concept like a 2D platformer can still feel fresh with enough innovation and imagination, look no further.
A second player can take control of Prince Fluff and play the entire game with jump in co-op that plays similar to New Super Mario Bros Wii, except nowhere near as refined. It’s obvious that Prince Fluff, (the original protagonist before Kirby butted in,) holds a grudge over having his game hijacked, because it’s very easy to sabotage your partner by knocking them off a stage, leaving them behind or throwing them into enemies. Let’s just call these “accidents.”
So in the end, was it a wise move to add Kirby? After spending so much time in this yarn themed world, it’s hard to deny that the pink hero’s cuteness brings a certain level of familiarity. Other than his presence and the lack of difficulty that’s common with the series, there’s very little that reminds us of the super star game play of old, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. What we have left is a fun, charming title that makes the most out of its graphics and seamlessly intertwines it with the core of the game play. It may be on the short side, but the experience more than makes up for it. Of course, you can always extend the length and challenge with a friend, but only if you don’t plan on being friends for much longer. Maybe next time, the yarn residents will get their time in the spotlight, but for now, Kirby’s console comeback is easily one of the best adventures he’s ever had, even if he doesn’t “suck.”