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Games of the Decade: Expansion Pass #6/Blog a Day #25

Hello everyone, how are you?

2010 was by far one of the best years for gaming. We had games like Fallout: New Vegas, Red Dead Redemption, Halo: Reach, Alan Wake, Pokemon HGSS, and Super Mario Galaxy 2 to name a few of the games that released. It was an amazing time for gaming. Nintendo had a great year as well like the aforementioned SMG2, HGSS, Donkey Kong Country Returns and more. But amid of all the heavy hitters, Nintendo showed and released what I consider to be the most wholesome game that they have ever released. For #6 we are going to spin a yarn with Kirby's Epic Yarn.

                   The music in this game is so carefree and will instantly uplift you

I technically don't own this game, my other brother does since he's a huge fan of Kirby. But I got to try it out for myself. I remember seeing this at E3 2010 during Nintendo's Press Conference, back when they used to do them. I remember my brother freaking out seeing Kirby and one thing I loved is the artstyle that they used for the game that stood out to me the most. Naturally my brother got it at launch so I got to try it out. So how is the game you might ask?

Kirby's Epic Yarn begins with our favorite pink hero walking around Dream Land and he suddenly spots a tomato. Kirby wants to eat it but suddenly Yin-Yarn, an evil sorcerer proclaims that it's his tomato, known as a Metamato, whatever that is. Yin-Yarn then banishes Kirby to Patch Land and Kirby is suddenly made of yarn. Unfortunately this renders Kirby's trademark copy ability useless. However remember that Metamato? It grants Kirby the ability to transform and he helps out a boy being attacked by a monster. Prince Fluff, the boy Kirby rescued, explains that Yin-Yarn has seperated Patch Land into pieces by removing the Magic Yarn that held them together. Kirby decides to help so it's up to both of our heroes to restore Patch Land.

The first thing you immediately notice is the artstyle of the game. Everything is made of yarn, cloth, and textiles. It looks incredible, like not only is the graphical artstyle just for show but it is also intergrated into the actual gameplay as well. Like there are certain parts of the environment that have buttons and Kirby can pull on them. See a zipper, you can un-zip it as well. There are many more things that you can interact with as well.

 

                              2 players can join in on the fun to save Patch Land

In the game Kirby no longer has access to his trademark copy ability, which you might think that will render him useless. But Kirby has access to new abilities thanks to his new yarn form. Kirby can pull on certains parts of the environments like buttons and zippers. Even though Kirby has no copy abilities, Kirby can still transform. When running, Kirby can transform into a car, when in the air Kirby can transform into a parachute to gently glide down. There are also certain transformations that are exclusive to levels. In one level Kirby can transform into a fire truck to put out fire and he can even transform into this robot tank which is so cool. Kirby is nothing if not resourceful and versatile.

You can either play the game by yourself but you can also play some 2-player co-op with someone else. The second player assumes the role of Prince Fluff and he has pretty much the same abilities as Kirby does. It's really cool since that means the second player has all the abilities that the first player has and wouldn't feel left out. I recommend playing the game with someone else if you can but the game is still really fun on its own.

"But Captain N, where can I play this game?" On the Wii, it's really cheap used if you don't mind a used copy. You can also play it on the Wii U if you own a physical copy but it was also rel-released digitally there as well. Nintendo released a port called Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn on the 3DS that adds extra content to the game. I haven't tried that one out yet but that's also an option if you want the game portable.

                                   You can turn into a fire truck to put out fires

Final Thoughts:  Kirby's Epic Yarn might be one of the best Kirby games that they have ever made. The game just looks so cute and vibrant and I love how the artstyle is not just for show, but it also plays a role in the gameplay as well. Kirby might not be able to use his copy ability but he gains access to some new abilities that looks really cool and adorable in yarn form. One thing I love is how the game is presented, like the narrator feels like someone who would narrate a little kid's program, and I feel that is quite fitting with the game.

You can't die in this game, there are no lives, there are no game overs. While that might make the game too easy and might put you off, that's not a bad thing. Games today are often challenging and you might die a few times. Here I feel that the game respects your time and it just allows you to have fun and enjoy yourself. Also, the music, the music is just so good and it matches this game so well. It's really relaxing and it feels like something out of The Peanuts specials. If I had a Top 10 Soundtracks, the soundtrack from this game would be up there. It's seriously that good.

I feel like they were trying to make a game that anyone can play, but without all the stress that you might see in many games. This game is just really wholesome. To me, this is my comfort and cozy game, it's impossible to be angry or sad when playing this game. It just always puts you in a good mood with its charming graphics, it's fantastic music, and with how easy the game is. Simply put, the game makes you feel good and Good-Feel lives up to their names. To me, there has never been a bad Kirby game. Some games are better than the others but I have always had fun with all the Kirby games that I've played and this one is no exception. This game is a huge contrast to the previous two games from the list. If you are ever in a bad mood give this game a go. I highly recommend it and I guarantee you that it will make you smile.

                                The most adorable tank that you have ever seen

There are days that will be bad, it'll look like there will be storm clouds but don't let that get you down. Do something that makes you happy to bring in the sunshine on your rainy day.

Well that's it for this one. We are now entering the Top 5 so hope you are excited what those are. For #5 we are going to put on our racing jumpsuit and compete in the most dangerous reality tv show there is. Thanks for reading and...