Nintendo has a lot of famous franchises to juggle, so it’s not surprising to see one of them wane in influence as others take greater prominence.Kirbyhas taken a bit of a backseat to other Nintendo content as of late, but that could be ending soon. In 2022, Nintendo will releaseKirby and the Forgotten Land, which will offer fans the opportunity to explore the franchise through the lens of a 3D platformer, rather than a 2D sidescroller. That increased world size and the freedom that comes with it will hopefully result in a heartyKirbygame.
Ideally, Nintendo and HAL Laboratory will make the most of the 3D model. Kirby’s signature copy abilities deserve to be reworked and upgraded in order to better suit the new environment and perspective. While 3D exploration inKirby and the Forgotten Land’s post-apocalyptic landscapeseems compelling enough, HAL can’t forget to work on the core aspects of the franchise too. Both new and old abilities deserve to get attention in the midst of HAL’s new approach, as Kirby’s multifarious powers form the backbone ofKirbygameplay throughout the franchise.
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Refreshing Kirby’s Copy Abilities
ManyKirbygames are defined by their unique takes on Kirby’s knack for inhaling enemies and gaining new powers. Keeping these copy abilities exciting is crucial to the franchise’s success, so HAL Laboratory often tries to develop new takes on that core system. For instance,Kirby 64: The Crystal Shardsintroduced Power Combos, in which Kirby combined two copy abilities to create something unique. Power Combos vastly diversifiedKirby 64’s combat and encouraged players to seek out new combinations that mix up their gameplay.
HopefullyKirby and the Forgotten Landgets a similarly refreshing take on copy abilities that make the most of the 3D model. HAL would be wise tocreate some new abilitiesthat let Kirby navigate and controlForgotten Land’s landscapes. Some abilities might let Kirby lock enemies out of a certain part of the battlefield, whether that means creating obstacles that stand in their way or areas that deal persistent damage, letting him manage crowds. Other copy abilities might focus on movement options, enhancing Kirby’s ability to swim or potentially letting him burrow through obstacles.
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Kirby and the Forgotten Landneeds to mind the place of old copy abilities too. TheForgotten Landreveal trailer shows off Kirby’s Sword and Needle powers, and there’s already some hope that they’ve been adjusted for a 3D world. While Kirby is using his Needle ability, for instance, he can be seen rolling around freely and pinning enemies, which seems more empowering than usual thanks to this beinga 3DKirbygame. While Sword doesn’t look like it has changed drastically, it wouldn’t be surprising if HAL has come up with a few new moves that let Kirby attack in all directions. After all, his enemies could come from anyw direction.
Nintendo Franchises are Branching Out
It’s great to seeKirby and the Forgotten Landtrying a 3D angle because of how it continues a trend in bold, experimental Nintendo games.The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildcompletely rewrote fundamental features of its franchise, meanwhileSuper Mario Odysseyshook up 3D platformingwith the introduction of Cappy.Kirby and the Forgotten Landhas the opportunity to be just as exciting and influential, so long as Nintendo and HAL Laboratory deliver creative ideas that make the most ofKirby’s shift into 3D. That means taking a close look at copy abilities before giving them clever new features that enhance the experience of exploringKirby’s newest environment.
Kirby and the Forgotten Landreleases in spring 2022 for Nintendo Switch.
