With the Nintendo Switch entering its sixth year of support, the console's library is becoming incredibly packed with tons of exclusives. This is evident with the launch of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, which has been off to a positive start for Nintendo and HAL Laboratory. Given that this is Kirby's transition into full 3D gameplay, it features incredibly detailed levels that maintain the series' traditional gameplay, now translated into a new environment. Many fans are excitedly playing the pink puffball's latest adventure, as well as seeing Kirby's leap into a 3D plane.
With the game now out for gamers, the developer of the series, HAL Laboratory, has commented on various aspects of how gameplay has evolved in Kirby and the Forgotten Land. This includes the members of the team discussing the hurdles in making the game accessible to many people, as well as how to make it appealing to all sorts of demographics. This includes some narrative and story-related aspects of the series, which were discussed in a recent interview.
In an email-only interview with The Washington Post, several members of HAL Laboratory were asked about various aspects of the Kirby series that have been integrated into its narrative over the years. One of these questions was the general timeline of the series, in a similar vein to the Zelda timeline concept that has cropped up over its history. General Director of HAL Laboratory Shinya Kumazaki states that there is no "clear timeline" for the stories of the games, revealing that it allows the team not to be constrained to past settings.
Kumazaki goes into this thought further, stating a specific example where Kirby can't be meeting King Dedede for the first time, every game. The elements of each previous entry are, in his words, inherited and utilized in a way that can be easily understood by players. These elements are used to make each new Kirby game better, with him saying that he keeps these details in mind. However, he notes that the Kirby franchise is still mainly built on action and gameplay, so the setting and story are bolstered when these elements are inserted in.
Kumazaki also commented on the darker elements seen within the Kirby franchise, noting that the intention with Kirby and the Forgotten Land specifically was to demonstrate that the series could have a lot more depth than most realize. He specifically mentions how Kirby's cute appearance and gameplay can surprise kids and adults when the story reaches its climax, looking to exceed expectations. Kumazaki concludes that no matter how serious things are in these stories, Kirby remains the loveable hero who simply loves eating.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is available now on the Nintendo Switch.
Source: The Washington Post