Overall 9.3 Graphics 10 Sound 8.5 Addictive 8.5 Story 7 Depth 8 Difficulty 8.5
9
Donkey Kong Returns to Platforming Uzar
Donkey Kong Country Returns had me hyped from the first trailer. And boy
was it worth waiting for! Donkey Kong Country Returns is a reboot to
the DKC series, at least it kind of is. Old title, but with new
developers behind it. But how does this banana peel in terms of
reviewability? I...Don't know what that means myself. BUT IT'S REVIEW
TIME!
Graphics: 10/10
This game is simply beautiful. The characters are designed
fantastically. Donkey Kong looks like a big fuzzy ape. And Diddy is more
monkey-ish than before. The enemies look great too. The Tikis I'll
admit are pretty generic looking. But there's some level of detail to
them. But the animal enemies are great! The Dodo...Crow things? They are
pretty well made. The crabs, mole miners, and Squiddicus also stood out
the most in terms of design to me. It all looks great, but there was
more care put into some enemies more than others. The backgrounds look
AMAZING! In areas like World 2 you can tell that just as much care and
effort was put into the backgrounds as the actual game itself. The first
levels in each world do an amazing job graphically. They actually
transition from the last world's design into the new one. The foreground
where all the action takes place looks amazing as well. I also like the
few levels where you appear to be just a silhouette, with your red tie
standing out sharply. It almost looks like it could be a poster, or
something. Anyway, you'll get one beautiful platformer out of this game.
Sound: 8/10
The sound in this game is great! They fit the levels, and the
atmosphere of the world perfectly. The music can become a bit
forgettable unless you aren't focusing on it. But once you go back and
listen you'll ask yourself "Why did I forget something as great as
this?". One of the most catchy tunes this game has to offer goes
alongside some of the most infuriating levels you'll ever play. The
Rocket Barrel Theme...*shudders*
The sound effects are great also. When you stomp on an enemy you get
a pretty satisfying "Kerthunk!" sound coming out of your wii remote and
TV. DK has some newer-ish hoots and howls that are used in later games.
The same goes for Diddy, but in multiplayer there's an even better
effect. His Peanut Popgun makes an adorable popping sound!
Addictiveness: 8/10
This is addictive for all the same reasons the originals were, in my
opinion. Fantastic smooth gameplay, pretty challenging levels, and
collectables to get inside each level. There's enough to keep you
playing for quite awhile. Well, that is if the later levels don't make
you ragequit first.
But, there are a few genuinely fun to play levels. And if you want to
go back through and improve your best time, or go back for bonuses you
missed, that's more than encouraged in this game. This game is more
addicting than a bountiful barrel of bananas.
Story: 5/10
It's what you'd expect from Donkey Kong Country, only with a twist!
Donkey Kong and his second banana Diddy are hanging out at DK's house.
But little do they know of the chaos that is going on right outside. A
terrible trecherous tribe of tikis are hypnotizing animals with their
music to do their bidding! And what do they do with an army of mind
controlled animals? What else, Donkey Kong's banana horde! But they also
try to hypnotize Donkey Kong and Diddy too. The first level takes place
right after that. It starts with you (And player 2 if they exist)
shaking the wiimote and nunchuck around telling that Tiki exactly what
you think of this*. (*Read: Punch the lights out of the possesed musical
instrument) And so, the banana collecting adventure begins!
Depth: 8/10
The depth here is almost shocking. In each level, lots and lots of
time was spent designing them. Their layout, design, length, and all
that. But there are also lots of hidden areas too! And each level has
it's own name also. And in every level you'll find 5-7 puzzle pieces,
most of them are hidden pretty well though. But there are also the
letters K-O-N-G scattered around, although those are a bit easier to
find. If you're having trouble with them, the game has Squawks, a parrot
you can rent for a level, and he will squawk when you're near a puzzle
piece. That makes it sort of easier. But if you're making it a goal for
100% it will only be mildly frustrating either way. It actually reminds
me of Yoshi's Island in a way. Lots of hidden objects to go after, and
the difficulty only a true legend can tackle.
Difficulty: 7/10
The challenge here is surprising, in the midst of NSMB remakes, bland shooters, and Captain Toad
AKA: The reason video games are considered an art form
there stands out the Donkey Kong Country series. A game with a shocking
amount of care put into every detail. A game with collectables and
bonus areas infuriating to even the calmest of gentlemen. All in the
sake of getting 100%, or in some cases, just making it to the end!
Expect fome very fun, but at the same time, frustrating difficulty
spikes. But, the challenge cam be self-imposed at times. As how going
out of your way to get puzzle pieces usually requires going through an
obstacle a trickier way than just jumping over it. But, in the face of
all this difficulty. For a few Banana Coins you can buy some items to
nullify the challenge, if you wish. It's sequel goes even farther. But
since this doesn't have them it's harder! You have Banana Juice, which
makes you go Super Sayin colored and take 10 extra hits. A wooden heart
which extends your life meter, the previously mentioned Squawks, and
extra lives!
The controls are smooth, but require waggleing. (Unless you're using
the 3DS version) You use the nunchuck to move around, A to jump,
shaking the controllers to roll, and crouch and shake to blow (It's more
useful than it sounds), double press A to use Diddy's jetbarrel, and Z
to grab and throw things. It's smooth and responsive. And really easy to
learn also.
This is one of the better games for the Wii. It has a sequel, and
TWO remakes already! One for the 3DS, and one coming to the Eshop for
Wii U. A bit early in my opinion. But this game is a masterpiece in
almost every way. It all ties together for a very memorable game. One
that sacrifices a deep story for some of the best graphics, gameplay,
and overall enjoyability.
Overall: 9/10
Graphics 10 Sound 8 Addictive 8 Story 5 Depth 8 Difficulty 7
Review Rating: 5/5
Submitted: 01-20-15
Review Replies: 2
9.7
Donkey Kong Country Returns to the Top kabenon007
Nintendo is at it again, bringing an old classic to the forefront with a modern-day upgrade, both in graphics and gameplay. But for a series that is so decidedly old-school (I mean come on, what can be more old school than Donkey Kong?) is a modern upgrade a welcome upgrade? In short: yes. In long: see below.
Donkey Kong has long been known for his platforming skills. He is a monkey after all. Natural born climbers, those monkeys. And he has never been more in his element than in Donkey Kong Country Returns. The ape swings, climbs, and jumps his way across many vibrant and colorful worlds populated with multiple enemies, and boy does he look good doing it. The graphics, controls, and platforming elements combine to form something that is greater than the sum of their parts. The graphics are good, the controls are spot on, and the platforming is so precise and razor sharp you could shave a monkey with it. Natural born shavers, those monkeys.
Watching the game in motion, you would not think you were controlling an ape; you would think you were controlling a ballerina mixed with a cannonball. It sounds like an odd combination, but with Donkey Kong, it works because you expect it from him; both powerful and precise. With practice, you will soon find yourself both alighting on tiny platforms that don't seem wide enough to support the large Kong and careening from cannon to cannon, blasting through the scenery like it is made of papier mache. My only qualm with the controls is the slight delay I felt when jumping with Donkey. It seemed to me that when I pressed the button to make the Kong jump, instead of instantly rocketing upwards, he decides to pick his nose first and then jump. This slight delay, very very slight delay, would normally not have been a big deal, but in a game where the jumping is such a central component and the jumping needs razor sharp precision, that slight delay can sometimes feel like a hindrance.
Speaking of scenery (did you see that transition there?) the levels are wonderfully varied, yet never overwhelming. Eight different worlds, plus one hidden world, are all individual experiences that never feel like rehashes of a previous world. Each one is instantly recognizable with twists on gameplay specific to the area. And these twists are not stage gimmicks, they actually make sense. It makes sense that Donkey Kong would have to deal with huge, environmentally destructive waves on a Beach level. This game also takes the cannon stages made famous by the first Donkey Kong and blows them way way up (snicker). The distance between barrels is sometimes enormous, but the time and distance is never wasted as the scenery that goes flying by during these sequences is always vibrant enough to grab your attention. Until Donkey Kong destroys that beautiful statue you were admiring by blasting through it from the latest barrel cannon. Natural born demolition experts, those monkeys.
Playing this game alone is fun. Playing this game with a friend (soon to be ex friend) is an absolute riot. Just make sure you have very thick walls, because shortly after you start playing, you both will be shouting at each other at the top of your lungs "Go go go!" "Jump there!" "Why did you jump on that platform you knew it was going to fall out as soon as you touched it? You knew it would fall? You wanted me to fall?" The game sets itself up for this kind of devious play. But ultimately, you need to work together to make it, and it really isn't too difficult to succeed. I played this with my wife, who is not much of a gamer, and we managed to beat the game together, though I'm surprised our marriage handled it. Our talk at night, which used to be "Oh I had a lovely day with you" became "I can't believe you blew right by that barrel. That was our last life!" Natural home wreckers, those monkeys.
This game is also huge. So many levels, and most levels will require multiple runs to complete as they are so difficult at times. In addition to all of the normal levels, there are reasons to play through each level multiple times (to collect the KONG letters, to get a better completion time, etc). And then finally, on top of that, there is a mode available to unlock that completely flips the game on its head, offering up on of the most unique challenges I have ever seen in a platforming game, a challenge I never would have seen coming, but one that completely blew me out of the water. Unlock it. You'll see. But you won't hear about it from me. Natural born secret keepers, those monkeys.
All in all, Donkey Kong Country Returns does just that; it brings Donkey Kong back as the king of the 2D side-scroller. Keeping the best of the old school and taking the modern day innovations and integrating them into that "old-school" feel, Donkey Kong is not so much reinvented but remodeled. It retains that old school feel that Kong fans crave, and makes it all feel fresh and new, yet old. A grandpa, but a young grandpa. A brand new car drenched in that old car smell. You know the one I'm talking about? Ground in french fries and stale pizza. These comparisons make it seem like Donkey Kong Country Returns is bad. But it's really good! I promise! Try it, and you'll feel young again! Natural born rejuvenators, those monkeys.
Graphics 10 Sound 9 Addictive 9 Story 9 Depth 8 Difficulty 10
Review Rating: 5/5
Submitted: 04-30-12
Updated: 05-19-12
Review Replies: 0
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