On Friday, February 21st, Nintendo released Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, the follow up to the 2010 hit Donkey Kong Country Returns. How will the new Wii U title stack up against its predecessor? Find out below.
Tropical Freeze already has a few advantages over Returns right off the bat, the first, being that this is DK's first adventure in full HD, which Retro, the game's studio, takes advantage of, giving the game vibrant, detail rich environments. While this doesn't add anything to the gameplay aspect of this title, it does enrich anyone who happens to be watching the game's experience, which, with Nintendo games, seems to happen more often than not. The stunning environment allows Retro to show off some of the improved landscapes with wide, panoramic camera views as you traverse levels with barrels, mine-carts, and other unique means of transportation. The second advantage DKC TF has is rather than player 2's only available character option being Diddy, you also get a choice of Dixie and Cranky Kong to assist Donkey, with all 3 having their own unique powers. Along with that, after building up a meter though collecting bananas, Donkey and his partner are able to perform a move that clears all enemy on the screen, and depending on which character you have, turns all the defeated enemies into golden hearts, coins, or other items to help DK on his quest.
For extra topics I didn't cover in the written review, or if you hate reading check out the video review! :)
While the choice between characters is great, one problem with the entire system is, player one. In the newest installment of Nintendo's flagship series, Super Mario, Super Mario 3D World, the game has 4 possible players to choose from, and you don't have to be the game's star Mario, at all, and can instead opt to be Luigi, Peach, or Toad. However, in the case of DKC TP, that option isn't available, and player one is forced to play the game's titular character. While this would be ok, the fact is DK doesn't have any special abilities of his own and, sadly, falls short of the other characters.
Another complaint is with the use of the gamepad. Considering the fact that the Wii U is a slowly failing system, you'd think Nintendo would attempt to showcase the gamepad as much as possible in a blockbuster game like DKC TP. However, the gamepad is barely used at all, with its only feature being off-tv play.
So, while the game does have its downfalls, it's able to really shine in its gameplay.
While the game only features 6 worlds (opposed to Nintendo's usual 8), it makes up for it with each level being diverse and different from the last. The game features returning elements from previous installments in the long running series, including mine-cart levels, our favorite rhino, Rambi, and secret levels through out all 6 worlds. All 3 of DK's pals offer a unique ability that allows DK to get small secrets buried in each level, such as the 9 puzzle pieces to collect in every level. Overall, the gameplay is fun, fresh, and yet, is still true to older installments in the series, which, to gamers who've been there since the SNES, is great to experience. With plenty of secrets tucked away in every nook of the game, it has a ton of replayability, and I recommend any platformer fan to pick it up today!
Do any of you have the new title? What do you think of it? Tell me in the comments below, and I'll see you in the next review!
