Kirby's Epic Yarn

[Cthulhu]

I'm not sure what to make of this. I shouldn't like this game. I love Kirby - and I usually expect Kirby games to be a little easy, but this game makes it pretty much impossible to lose. Normally that should mean I don't want to play it...

Yet I actually enjoy it a lot. It almost feels more like relaxing than playing an action game. It's like a meditation platformer... I play it for a while and I feel calmed and relaxed. What the heck? That's not what an action game is supposed to do, is it?

Well, I'm not sure it's a new-age-soul-searching-personal-discovery trip or anything, but it's definitely the first game that's felt this way to me.

[undamned]

I need to play this, if anything, to experience the amazing presentation of YARN.
-ud

[Drum]

It's not coming out here til March next year. I am not too bothered about the can't-die thing, because of the score-based nature of the game. Am in the mood for another score-based platformer, I guess I can play Donkey Kong Jungle Beat and Bonk arcade until March.

[Vexorg]

I just picked this up on Friday, and although I haven't played through much of it yet (I think my save file is at about 15%) it seems to be a good chill-out game for those times when you're looking for something light. I'm also quite liking the music in this one.

[maxlords]

All the positive stuff about this one really has me tempted.....

[njiska]

Yet I actually enjoy it a lot. It almost feels more like relaxing than playing an action game. It's like a meditation platformer... I play it for a while and I feel calmed and relaxed. What the heck? That's not what an action game is supposed to do, is it?

You hit the nail on the head. Kirby's Epic Yarn just melts the stress away. It's cute, it's fun, it's challenging when you want it to be, but it's never the slightest bit frustrating or boring. If you have kids it's even better. There's enough difficulty to get them into it and learning basic game mechanics, while you sit back and enjoy without feeling patronized.

Taking death away was undoubtedly controversial, but within the world of Kirby it seems right, unlike other death-free titles like Bio Shock.

Ironically I think this will turn out the be the best game in Nintendo's fall line up.

[BulletMagnet]

I love the look, but it'll probably be awhile before I drop any cash on it...more of a novelty than anything else, from what I've played of it.

[linko9]

If I had more free time, I'd pick this up today. Love the aesthetic, and Kirby games are always fun for me.

I find it funny that the no-death mechanic is being harped on so much in the media, while Prince of Persia (cel-shaded), Bioshock, Heavy Rain, etc. all used the same mechanic recently with many fewer complaints (at least that I saw, maybe I'm wrong about that).

[Cthulhu]

Ironically I think this will turn out the be the best game in Nintendo's fall line up.

Is there anything else big in their fall Wii lineup (or DS lineup even) that's really big other than this and Donkey Kong Country?

Back on track: I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels relaxed playing this.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I play it for a while and I feel calmed and relaxed. What the heck? That's not what an action game is supposed to do, is it?

I know right. Recently Rockman 8 and Monster World IV did this for me. The colours, the music, the animations, the "soft" looks are so soothing that I don't care what cool kids out there think about those games.

[BulletMagnet]

I find it funny that the no-death mechanic is being harped on so much in the media, while Prince of Persia (cel-shaded), Bioshock, Heavy Rain, etc. all used the same mechanic recently with many fewer complaints (at least that I saw, maybe I'm wrong about that).

I didn't keep track particularly closely, but I've definitely seen a few fingers wagged at Bioshock and plenty of grumbling towards PoP - in any event, Kirby's probably getting off easier in part because the brand has never really tried to establish itself as "hardcore" (for lack of a better word), not to mention that it's on the Wii, and benefits from the demographic expectations that come attached.

[professor ganson]

I'm a bit torn. On the one hand, I love the impressions in the op. On the other hand, Endless Ocean on the Wii didn't quite work for me and felt like a genuine step backward for the series. The sense of adventure depends to some extent on the sense that something is at stake, or at least the sense that there is a worthwhile project or challenge.

So is there a real sense of progression in the Kirby game? Something more than getting to decorate your room or whatever?

[ShmupSamurai]

I haven't touched it yet, but it looks quite promising to me

Diggin' those yarn/felt themed layouts.

[maxlords]

I find it funny that the no-death mechanic is being harped on so much in the media, while Prince of Persia (cel-shaded), Bioshock, Heavy Rain, etc. all used the same mechanic recently with many fewer complaints (at least that I saw, maybe I'm wrong about that).

Uh...Heavy Rain has death. And not just death...final and ultimate death too. Tomb Raider Underworld on the other hand...I was diving off cliffs just for the visuals

[Cthulhu]

I'm a bit torn. On the one hand, I love the impressions in the op. On the other hand, Endless Ocean on the Wii didn't quite work for me and felt like a genuine step backward for the series. The sense of adventure depends to some extent on the sense that something is at stake, or at least the sense that there is a worthwhile project or challenge.

So is there a real sense of progression in the Kirby game? Something more than getting to decorate your room or whatever?

Well, there's always new levels. I find that a satisfying progression in and of itself. The decorating does have a kinda-sorta-point in that you can unlock minigames doing it.