The newly-released Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a cutesy, fun adventure with the titular pink puffball, but some of Kirby's powers raise the question of if the difficulty is too easy. The latest Kirby game sees him exploring an abandoned world full of relics from a long-forgotten past, many of which players should recognize from everyday life. In his quest to rescue the Waddle Dees and rebuild Waddle Dee town, he faces off against bosses using a variety of abilities, including the new Mouthful Mode.
It was a normal day in Dream Land when Kirby suddenly found himself being sucked into a vortex to a new world in his latest adventure. Over the course of the story, he'll fight the villainous Beast Pack in his quest to save all of the Waddle Dees that were sucked in with him. Kirby and the Forgotten Land's Waddle Dee Town serves as his new home as he explores the strange post-apocalyptic land that he finds himself in. The pink puffball will save all of his Dream Land friends with the help of Elfilin - and Bandana Dee in co-op mode. It's the first game to be a 3D platformer, instead of the side-scroller model that most Kirby titles have. It also introduced Mouthful Mode, which he can use to gain new abilities from the various relics of the world.
Although Kirby and the Forgotten Land might seem too easy for more experienced gamers used to tackling the likes of games like Elden Ring, it actually isn't. There are a few reasons why, but the primary one is that it's not supposed to be hard. Kirby games have always been fun, easy-going adventures meant to soothe more than challenge, so Forgotten Land's lack of overwhelming difficulty isn't a problem. Kirby and the Forgotten Land as a horror game would have been a pretty jarring transition for those used to cutesy enemies and cheery environments. It's at least somewhat meant for kids, but for those hoping for more of a challenge, there just might be something for them in Wild Mode.
How Hard Kirby & The Forgotten Land Actually Is
Kirby and the Forgotten Land isn't overly difficult. There are few environmental hazards, and no fall damage at all, which is to be expected when the player character is pretty much a big pink marshmallow. All of the Mouthful Modes make it even easier. By utilizing a soda machine, a traffic cone, a car, or even a light bulb, Kirby can gain powerful new abilities that won't go away if he gets hit, unlike his copy powers. Even if he does lose some health, there's usually a helpful piece of cake or some other confectionary around that will perk him right back up. Kirby previously became a car on Nintendo Wii, in Kirby's Epic Yarn, but Carby is much more powerful.
In addition to Mouthful Mode, Kirby has his signature copy abilities, with all-new ones for him to use. In most video games, enemies are just that, foes to be vanquished; in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, however, enemies are lunch. The pink puffball can inhale and absorb them in order to gain their powers, whether it's a sword or just taking a nap. Each one will give him an edge over the other enemies of the new world that Kirby finds himself in, and can be evolved into even more powerful forms. Most games have Kirby lose his copy ability once he takes a hit, and although Forgotten Land does the same, players can suck it right back up if they're quick enough. The Super Mario 64-like Kirby and the Forgotten Land doesn't skimp on powers for Kirby to take from his various foes. They make the game easier by giving players more options to choose from, and by turning enemies from a menace into an entrée.
Kirby & The Forgotten Land's New Genre Makes It Easier
Another thing that might be making Kirby and the Forgotten Land easy is its new genre. Most Kirby games have been side-scrollers in the past, but the newest one is a 3D platformer, literally adding a whole new dimension to the game. It might seem like a strange aspect to decrease difficulty, but it helps by giving players more room to work with. In a side-scroller, the player can only move up or down, and it's not always easy to move down when platforms are in the way. In 3D, there's a lot more space to run around in and avoid enemy attacks. Forgotten Land is Kirby at his best and most mobile, able to dodge the various enemy attacks perhaps not with ease, but more so than past games.
Forgotten Land is also unique among 3D platformers in that it features Kirby's flutter jump ability. Although it's not quite flight, it lets Kirby float higher than most platformers allow, as well as descend either leisurely or suddenly. It's not too big of a game-changer, but it still makes the game just a little bit easier. It also might make it a bit more of a challenge. Those unused to Kirby and his adventures, as well as long-time veterans, may find flutter jumping awkward in three dimensions. When there's a lot of empty space where players can fall off of platforms, using it may do more harm than good if they aren't careful. It was difficult for Forgotten Land's developers to make Kirby 3D, and although they did a good job of it, the new genre doesn't come without its hazards.
Kirby & The Forgotten Land Isn't Too Easy
Kirby and the Forgotten Land might be a leisurely game without too much in the way of a challenge, but it's not too easy. The game isn't supposed to be hard, after all, but instead a fun, relaxing adventure full of cute enemies and cool abilities. Just like FromSoftware and games like Elden Ring cater to those who want to earn their victory with sweat, blood, and no small amount of tears, Kirby caters to players who want to kick back, relax, and save the world at their own pace. They're cathartic, so having them be too difficult could take away their appeal. Not to mention, they're made for kids to some degree, so they're not going to be too hard. The Kirby series might have some disturbing final bosses, but overall, they're cute games for people who want to chill out and take a break from tough titles.
For those unhappy with Kirby and the Forgotten Land's difficulty, however, there is another option. Some games in the past have offered different difficulty levels, and Forgotten Land is no different. The standard mode is Spring-Breeze Mode, which is the relaxing Kirby experience that long-time players of the series are used to. Wild Mode is a more challenging take on the game, one where enemies are more difficult to defeat and the pink puffball has less health. It's a subtle difference, and does add more Star Coins, but it's still one that adds a little extra bite to Forgotten Land. Players can switch between the two modes at any time, although they'll have to start a level over again if they're doing it right in the middle of one. Nintendo's 2022 game lineup is packed with other games for those still unhappy with the game. Kirby and the Forgotten Land offers a leisurely gaming experience, but it's not too easy.