Nintendo finally announced the first fully 3D Kirby game during today's Nintendo Direct, much to the excitement of many longtime fans. Rumors about a new Kirby game in the making have been circulating for a while, and this turned out to be true with Kirby and the Forgotten Land. The game looks great in 3D for the Switch's graphical standards based on its reveal trailer, which bodes well for the future of the series and other Nintendo games to come.
Many familiar mechanics from past Kirby games will remain relevant in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, with one of the most prominent being the character's ability to absorb his enemies' powers. The premise of Kirby and the Forgotten Land is still unclear, but it seems like the puffball fans have come to love will be able to explore abandoned, overgrown buildings and towns in an open-world fashion. As such, with a seemingly post-apocalyptic setting, Kirby and the Forgotten Land has a plethora of other games to take inspiration from.
Drawing a Comparison Between Biomutant and Kirby and the Forgotten Land
There have been several outstanding post-apocalyptic games over the years, and some have a few specific flaws. Such is the case for Biomutant, which seemingly shares a similar setting with Kirby and the Forgotten Land judging from what was shown in the reveal trailer. Biomutant has lush places where nature has grown rampant and slowly took over whatever remained of the previous civilization, and one of the elements that conveys as much is dialogue referring to daily life items with different names - showing the passing of time and cultures changing.
Another common trait between these games seems to be huge animal species, likely evolved from those found in real life that have to adapt to their changing environments. However, Biomutant also suffered from a limited variety when it came to enemies in the game, unique bosses aside. If the setting is going to be a key part of Kirby and the Forgotten Land's story, it should avoid issues that make it dull or repetitive.
What Kirby and the Forgotten Land can Take From The Last of Us and Breath of the Wild
Another series with a striking setting is The Last of Us, where players can delve into post-apocalyptic scenery and cities as people survive both the Infected and dangerous individuals who live in the game's world. While The Last of Us is very different in tone and scope from Kirby games, it can be used as a valid comparison for how it manages to make gameplay atmospheric. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is not necessarily going to bet so heavily on its setting, yet it should be relevant in terms of gameplay too, with innovations such as jumping puzzles using old-world technology.
Because Kirby games have the tendency of featuring a world in need of saving from dark or evil forces, Kirby and the Forgotten Land could also draw inspiration from another of Nintendo's creations: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This is one of the most acclaimed open-world games that feature a post-apocalyptic setting with some platforming puzzles, which are also a staple in Kirby games. As such, if Kirby and the Forgotten Land has a small percentage of Breath of the Wild's variety and replayability, it could very well become a genre-defining game of its own.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is in development for Nintendo Switch.
