With the tough pink rare enterprise of Pupf away from Planet Popstar, Kirby and The Mendotten Land are a great platformer, which also has an incredible visual identity compared to the rest of the series.
Gone are the pleasant pastoral greens and float islands. Instead, the nominally forgotten land is a modern world similar to our modern world, although its decay has progressed. Through the concrete jungle, dead shopping malls and sunken architectural ruins, I felt strangely irritating – the pink foam is not “fit”, which makes me want to explore more of the world.
The actual gameplay is the standard fare for the Mainline Kirby game, although that's not against it. The platform is fun, with other obstacles and enemies to illustrate our hero’s ability to float across most gaps. Kirby's dungeon abilities have also been restored – my favorite is the Ranger abilities, which allow our bubbles to be carried around the oversized Blunderbuss in a lovely oversized responsibility – and unlocking upgrades for them in the final arena helps balance some of the surprisingly difficult boss chances in battle.
If you're a big Kirby fan, he'll be obsessed with the in-game Liminal Spaces, or just enjoy a fun, family-friendly platformer, Kirby and The Losenting Land are the perfect match for you.
release date: March 25, 2022
type: Atmospheric 3D Platform
Developer: HAL Laboratory
Switch 2 functions: Paid upgrade package, including a brand new set of levels and other Kirby features
– Tyler Graham
