Donkey Kong Country Returns is a fantastic comeback that brings back fond memories of the Snes and GBA Trilogy
As a huge fan of the DKC Snes and GBA Trilogy, I've waited years for a fourth DKC. When I saw videos for Donkey Kong Country Returns, I drooled in anticipation. Now that I have played this Wii game for over several months, I can say the new 2D arrival is worth the 14 year wait (5 year wait on GBA).
Here's the features for Donkey Kong Country Returns
.More than seven jaw dropping worlds with some of the best graphics the small white console has to offer
.Fantastic 3D effects that push the Wii to its limits
.Well hidden bonus stages and items will keep gamers busy
.Secret Levels that can be unlocked
.A brand new 2 player Co-op mode and the return of the Time Attack mode
.Hidden artwork
Unlike the previous three Donkey Kong Country games, Returns does NOT have the kremlings or K. Rool returning at all. Instead, we have Tiki's. There's no tag mode, and you can only use one animal buddy (Rambi, although Squawks can be used to find puzzle pieces), and only Cranky Kong has returned from the DK family. However, both Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are back, as it should be, and they have to get their bananas back from the tiki's.
The first level of Returns shows how great this game is. A tutoral is explained as you pounce enemies, shake bananas, and blow flowers. The controls are simple and easy to learn, and executing them is awesome. Checkpoint barrels have been replaced by Pigs with flags, which gives this game a whimsical feel. Diddy Kong lets you have more boost on your jump with his rocket. I love how interacting with the scenery gets you items like banana coins (currency in this game), bananas, and puzzle pieces. Cranky Kong provides items and hilarious quotes such as "In my day, we had to search puzzles for ourselves" and "What, do you want me to hold your hand too?" He also provides extra hearts, invincible potions, keys, and lives, which you'll need later in the game.
Once you figure out the controls, you're set. There are secrets all over this game, and since you're not timed in this game, you can explore as much as you please. It's fun jumping on enemies, exploring secret areas, collecting puzzle pieces, and sky rocketing through barrels. And since there's a lot of interaction with the scenery in this game, this results in a wild ride.
Some of my favorite moments from this game include puzzle collecting. For example, you'll be standing next to some bushes, but walking through them reveals a secret area with a bonus room or puzzle pieces. You'll try to escape a pirate ship on a rocket barrel, get chased by maggots, explore ancient temples, volcanoes, islands, forests, and more. There's even a breath taking sihouette stage with a beautiful sunset in the background. Every part of this game is wild and unreal, and that's what makes it so much fun. I was skeptical about shaking the controller to roll, but it works surprisingly well and is very responsive. My favorite stage is the one where you The bonus stages aren't as exciting as previous efforts, but they're still a fun trip and are challenging to boot.
Unfortunately, Donkey Kong Country Returns also has a few flaws that prevent it from A+ status in my book. First and foremost, the difficulty is insane on some levels! The mine cart and rocket barrel stages are the worst, and they're beaten to death in the cave levels. The mine cart level where you try to dodge spikes is especially frustrating because ducking is unresponsive at one point, resulting in cheap deaths. Worse yet, the stages seem to last an eternity! Yes, the older DKC games were also difficult games as well, but at least the difficulty was reasonable! Some of the bosses will tear your head off, such as the one with the spinning wheels. Fortunately, you get loads of lives, and if you die enough times, the game will offer to beta the level (or boss battle) for you via the Super Guide, and this is the first game where I really needed it! Other than that, there's really nothing else to complain about, except that the 2 player co-op is pretty awkward.
The graphics are fantastic. The variety of environments look stunning, and the enemies and characters are detailed to boot. Crumbling environments also make this game look even better. The music is fantastic. You'll hear old tunes and new tunes which sound better than ever. The sunset stage features a very mellow tune that got stuck in my head. Everything sounds perfect in this game, and the audio is impressive as well.
Donkey Kong Country Returns is a fantastic comeback that brings back fond memories of the Snes and GBA Trilogy. It's extremely difficult and brutal at times, but it's still worth the purchase for longtime fans and hardcore gamers. It feels more like a fourth game than a comeback game, as evident by the Tiki's and the computer animated graphics, and that's what sets it apart from other comeback games on the Wii. Best of all, it didn't even need to be made by Rare to be fantastic; this is an excellent game I would recommend to anyone who wants a good time. Recommended, especially for the hardcore side.
Concluding Notes
Graphics: 10/10: Excellent 3D landscapes and backgrounds, smooth fast animation complete with crashing temples
Sound: 10/10 The best music of the trilogy, and the audio is as crisp as can be
Gameplay: 9/10: Loads of levels and secrets, and enough surprises to keep gamers busy for months. The one problem is that the game is one of the hardest I've played in a while
Replay Value: 10/10: You will never get bored of this game. Enough secrets to make a gamer coming back for an eternity. The difficulty is harsh on some levels, but the vast exploration makes this another Wii classic.