Valiona
Since: Mar, 2011
08/11/2015 00:00:00
From what I saw while playing it in the stores, I definitely agree with the "doesn't feel like a DK game" bit. The older games had more variety in the levels (both in the game as a whole and even in the same worlds), better level designed better bosses, better music and generally better overall quality.
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DK's back, but at what cost?
Upon the announcement of DK's return to the classic style of platforming what made him and his primate pals the Zinger's knees back in the day, there was naturally a tiny pang of worry about how it would fare without the guiding hand of Rare (not that they'd be of much help to begin with, given their pitiful state at the time...). However, I decided to ignore my misgivings and give Retro Studios the benefit of the doubt. Things looked positive as it got closer to release. Everything seemed primed and ready for a return to greatness.
Turns out, I should've listened to that little warning voice of mine.
Yes, superficially it looks exactly like what a contemporary stab at DKC should look like. Playing it, however, is a different story altogether. Fact is, it doesn't really feel like a DKC game at all. Platforming is comparatively slow and clunky, waggling is mandatory because GIMMICKS ARE INEVITABLY FUN apparently, and levels are a bit too long and plentiful for their own good. Basically, the whole thing feels more Mario-inspired than anything else. That's not inherently a bad thing at all, but in this case... yeah. It's not what I'm looking for in a DK game.
The aesthetics too, feel a bit... off. It's a bit too cheery and colorful, all the time basically. DKC games always used to have a bit of a dark, creepy backside to them. That vibe is so important to what made the trilogy so memorable, and it's hard to find any of it here. It even extends to the enemy designs, which are a bit too goofy and cartoony... it feels like they could come out of any cookie cutter indie platformer out there.
DK's animal pals, which were pretty much Kuribo's Shoe times a hundred in how they made for an exciting part of a level and a break from the normal platforming routine, are also a complete side note here. Add to that the utter disappointment that being a completionist nets you (gallery unlocks? What is this, a cereal box pack-in game?) and what you're left with is a bit of a clockwork orange (banana?)... the outside looks good and tasty, but bite into it and you'll get your teeth messed up from gears and shit.
Meaning, it's a bit of a disgrace to DKC's good name. It's a good game in its own right, but they should have never made it a continuation of those storied masterpieces.