Game: Kirby's Dreamland
Genre: Adventure
Developer: Nintendo
System: Game Boy (GB)
Total Score: 65/100
Value Score: 6.5/10
• Story: 5/10
o Kirby's Dreamland's story is close to non-existent, there is absolutely no way to tell what in the world is going on, except that you have to go through a total of 4 stages and fight certain bosses and fight them again at the 5th stage right before fighting King Dedede. For those who played Kirby's Super Star, you will remember the game Spring Breeze, which is a remake of this exact game.
• Characters: 7/10
o You play as a character named Kirby who is a lovable pink fuzz ball like being who is always hungry and is able to eat. You go through several stages fighting off several different type of enemies such as giant size flies with eyes, a little floating cat like thing, mummified versions of those cat things, and so many other creatures. You end up fighting about 5 different bosses within the game. The only characters that actually stand out in the game are Kirby and the last boss but that by itself is warrant enough to give this much high of a score.
• GamePlay: 7/10
o Kirby's Dreamland's gameplay is quite simple and steps away from the Mario Universe to a whole another level. For one you play as Kirby who has the ability to suck up anything, either swallow them whole or spit them out in the form of a star projectile. Kirby can also fly around, float and fall in style all in one. The game goes through 5 different stages and the at end of each stage, you can fight a boss in order to progress through the storyline. Although later Kirby games allow you to use abilities, this game does not have that function but pretty much plays like a traditional Kirby game.
• Graphics: 7/10
o Kirby's Dreamland's graphics are quite detailed for a game its time and for a system such as Gameboy, although there is no color or dynamic graphics, the artistic design of the character sprites and the environment at that time is pretty amazing.
• Sound: 7/10
o Kirby's Dreamland's sound effects take up a notch within the Nintendo verse. Unique sounds throughout the game which of course become more common among in the future games. These sounds are nicely designed and fit well with the game however there are tidbits of time where you might hear a error or a messed up tune that seems a bit off.
• Music: 10/10
o Kirby's Dreamland's OST is simply amazing for its time although short, it is quite sweet, no pun intended. Enjoy some of the most famous pieces of music that eventually get remixed and rewritten several times in the future games.
• Length: 2/10
o Kirby's Dreamland's main weakness is the length of the game, you have about 5 stages, with 4 bosses in the first 4 levels and you have to fight all 4 bosses again in the 5th stage along with its own boss. Each stage should take you no more than 3 minutes to complete, not much exploration like in Kirby's Super Star and the path of the story is very linear and limited. This game overall should not take you more than 25 minutes to finish.
• Replay Value: 3/10
o Kirby's Dreamland's length is not the only issue, for a adventure game, the replay value is pretty bad, considering the fact you cant revisit the worlds/levels you've been to , instead you are forced to play the game again to venture into the stages you completed. However there is a difficulty increase option once you finish the game which allows you to play the game again but with higher difficulty.
• Player Value: 7/10
o Kirby's Dreamland is a nostalgic gamer's dream as you will enjoy this Kirby game like others. Although the game was made in 1992 and far before Kirby's Adventure, you will enjoy the simplistic gameplay, addictive music and the sheer difficulty which you can play as well. Although at first it may seem not worth it, it is a worthy addition to anyone's classic collection.