The Kirby franchise has long been known for its cute and fun 2D platformers, and despite attempts at changing it up in the past, it took until 2022 for the world to see what a Kirby 3D platformer looks like. Luckily, Kirby and the Forgotten Land has already won the hearts of many critics and gamers alike.
Because of this shift in the series, it is likely that many people will be jumping into the franchise for the very first time. On top of that, because of some of the new systems that Kirby and the Forgotten Land has introduced, even some veterans of the series may make some mistakes. It’s important to keep in mind some of them as players progress through the adventure.
7 Playing Only One Ability
Kirby has the power to suck in any enemy and gain their ability to then use it in combat and puzzle-solving situations. These powers can range in what they can achieve, which is why it is probably easy for some players to fall in love with a specific ability they picked up and never want to play as anything else.
However, the beauty of Kirby and the Forgotten Land is that almost all copy abilities have their own purpose, and choosing to skip them may lead to players not being able to find a Waddle-Dee or skipping a collectible. Whenever a stage presents the player with a certain ability, it may be worth the time to switch to that ability to see what it may unlock ahead.
6 Keeping An Ability’s Original Form
For the first time in the series’ history, players are able to upgrade Kirby’s abilities from their default forms. Players can do this by finding scrolls hidden throughout the world and then bringing them to the Waddle Dee’s Weapon Shop where these improved powers can be upgraded for a cost.
Players will likely not have too much difficulty navigating much of the game without upgrading their abilities. However, those who want to smooth their experience out a little more should always keep an eye out for scrolls and upgrade abilities as soon as possible. Not upgrading could lock players out of some Treasure Road Challenges, however.
5 Ignoring The Colosseum
Those who have played previous Kirby games are probably familiar with the occasional “Boss Rush” mode that has popped up in previous entries. In Kirby and the Forgotten Land, that mode is once again implemented as the Colosseum. After completing the Wondaria Remains area, Waddle Dee Town will get a large stadium.
Here, players will be challenged to three different cups. Initially, players will have to fight in the Meta Knight Cup, which is a collection of five boss battles players are familiar with plus a new Meta Knight duel. Players should not skip this as winning this cup will award the player a scroll for the Meta Knight Sword upgrade.
4 Only Clearing The Stage
A typical stage in Kirby and the Forgotten Land will have the most important goal listed as simply clearing the stage. Luckily, most levels are easy to get through when only trying to go from start to finish without digging deeper. The problem is, the game wants players to explore.
Along with this main goal is also a set of missions. One mission is almost always to find hidden Waddle Dees that can be found throughout the level. But then there are more obscure challenges that players will only discover once they are in the stage. Clearing the stage is quick and easy, but the fun of the game is clearing the missions as well.
3 Refusing To Look Everywhere
Missions also have a funny way of making players more aware of their environment. However, some players are very quick to look past hidden passageways to move forward through the level, especially when those hidden spaces may not be required for a mission.
That said, the best part about Kirby and the Forgotten Land is that curiosity is almost always rewarded. Even if players aren’t required to go down specific paths, doing so could net them some extra Star Coins or even an extra figurine to add to their collection. Keep an eye out for these paths and also some shiny spots that Kirby can run over to get rewards as well.
2 Not Doing The Treasure Road Challenges
While the individual stages are at the center of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, the Treasure Road Challenges are another crucial part of the gameplay. These side activities pop up on the map as space rifts shaped like stars. Each challenge has a specific theme, either around an ability or a Mouthful Mode item.
The importance of these challenges comes with the reward: a Rare Stone. These colorful crystal stars are a currency that can be used to purchase upgrades for different abilities in Waddle Dee Town. Skipping these challenges would be a mistake because of all the Rare Stones that could be missed and, generally, the fun that would be avoided.
1 Skipping Hidden Challenges On The Map
After completing a stage, there will be a brief cutscene that would show some of the Treasure Road Challenges popping up on the world map. These usually show up two or three at a time and are fun activities that are presented right to the player. However, players must not forget that some challenges are hidden.
When flying around on the star on the World Map, players should keep an eye out for a prompt that tells Kirby to search. Doing so may net Kirby a handful of star coins, but it could also reveal a hidden Treasure Road Challenge that the game would’ve never revealed otherwise. Another reason to always keep an eye out in Kirby and the Forgotten Land.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is available on Nintendo Switch.
