If we forget the opus Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards which is a bit special, Kirby and the Forgotten World is the first game of the license in total 3D. Ambitious and innovative, the latest game from HAL Laboratory probably didn't have the expected or even deserved success: despite its fluid gameplay and its catchy side, the game didn't really get a turbo start. Is this the reason that pushes the studio to communicate on the probable absence of 3D in the sequels to come?
Why not continue 3D?
Kirby has been a pure 2D platformer since its inception, as Mario has been for a very long time. Even if it gradually took shape to evolve in scenery including reliefs and depths, the gameplay did indeed consist of purely horizontal movement from left to right. However, the developers of the latest game wanted to go further and try something new : since Kirby is characterized by volume (in essence, it's a ball), why not put it in the third dimension?
This is how "Kirby and the Forgotten World" was born, it is in fact a response to the challenge of Nintendo and HAL to develop an old license , in the same way as "Mario Odyssey" was able to develop the classic gameplay of our little plumber. So what, the result is not up to expectations? In fact yes, and even completely: on the developer and publisher side, it's a successful challenge . This is precisely why the next games will not necessarily be in 3D : we now have to find new, ever more innovative ideas so that the license moves forward and does not face stagnation. 3D was a step, an attempt, but the sequel has not yet been drawn and will perhaps do without volume if better proposals allow Kirby games to evolve .
What can we expect next?
“ We hope to go beyond what is currently imaginable and strive to create new, innovative Kirby games ,” said Shinya Kumazaki , CEO of HAL Laboratory in an interview with The Washington Post ( source ). So we don't yet know which direction the license will take since to listen to it, this direction does not even exist yet .
Mario games have greatly diversified over time, just look at the future football game Mario Strikers which already seems to be establishing itself as a must, so we can hope that Kirby benefits from the same developments and above all that the developers will be able to meet their own challenge to reinvent the gameplay of the license.
The question we are now asking: when will there be a Kirby in VR?
Multiplayer is available in Kirby and the Forgotten World! Here's how to activate two-player cooperation and thus enjoy the adventure with a loved one.
