Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review - Screenshot 1 of 4

Platformers aren't quite what they one time were; whether they're 3D or 2D we've had a bit of a mini-renaissance with them in recent years, merely they hold nowhere well-nigh the depict that they did in the '80s and '90s. What a shame and so that 1 of the best and most polished games of the genre happened to not merely launch after these golden years, but on a panel that - for the most function - passed about people by. In example it wasn't already obvious enough given the title, we are, of course, referring to Donkey Kong Land: Tropical Freeze, the latest entry in the revitalised Donkey Kong State series. It made a splash with the handful of people who bought a Wii U, but it received nowhere near the commercial success it deserved. Diggings dorsum onto Switch, is it finally fourth dimension for this game to shine, or have the years been as well brutal? It's the onetime, allow'south not even endeavor to pretend.

As stated in our review of the Wii U original, Tropical Freeze takes everything that made Donkey Kong Land Returns great and doubles down on it. The running, jumping, and rolling that fabricated the original games so enjoyable has been refined further and tightened to the Nth degree. The higher resolution too pays dividends in allowing you lot to see more of the level from distant, meaning y'all can react more appropriately when pits or enemies lie ahead of you. The Wii U version was but able to display at 720p, but information technology however looked good. This new version, however, boosts information technology up to a gorgeous full 1080p that fits the style and aesthetic so well we didn't fifty-fifty observe. It's a real attestation to the art direction.

Other changes are adequately minimal, as shown by Digital Foundry's recent video comparison. Shading appears to be marginally different and DK's fur is a scrap nicer to gawp at, only overall the biggest modify is absolutely the resolution. The frame rate remains the same, solid 60fps besides, which has proven absolutely unshakeable regardless of what's going on on screen. For a hardcore platformer like this that stability is essential, and they've completely nailed it.

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Speaking of hardcore, permit's accost the gorilla in the room. The biggest new addition to this version of the game is that of Funky Kong, the bodacious ape that's totally tubular or mondo, or whatever. When you start a save file for the beginning time you lot'll be asked whether yous want to play in Original Manner or Funky way. The former is the game just as information technology was with absolutely nix inverse beyond the previously mentioned resolution and fur and stuff. The latter Funky fashion, yet, is a totally 'hang-10' manner to play, noticeably reducing the difficulty thanks to Funky Kong's shiny new move-fix.

He behaves much like DK, merely he can roll forever just equally though he had a partner Kong with him (although when playing as Funky you tin can never use a partner Kong), double-jump, slow his descent past using his surfboard as a makeshift helicopter, obviously, and also stand up stationary on spiked floors without taking impairment. Y'all'll also have five hearts to play with rather than the standard Kong default of two each, allowing you lot to take a lot more than punishment before returning to your terminal checkpoint.

Yous'll not be locked into this new way to tackle the game's challenges however, equally at any time yous can switch to playing as good old Donkey Kong should y'all wish, provided you're not in the middle of a level. You'll get a smidgen more health than if you were playing in Original Way, so it'southward not heading directly from i extreme to the other. Whichever mode you lot choose to play in, that decision is permanent, so brand sure you're absolutely certain what kind of challenge you're subsequently. Of course, in that location's zippo to stop yous starting a new save file in the other mode, equally well.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review - Screenshot 3 of 4

While some of the more seasoned players may exist put off by the idea of taking the sting out of the game'due south difficulty, it really is a superb addition. The fact that save files are locked in either mode ways no matter how tempted you are, you can't quickly beat a tricky level as Funky Kong earlier reverting back unless y'all've specifically selected Funky Style. If you're committed to playing it in its original form, you lock yourself into that decision, and the game offers no relief at any time. If you want a challenge, information technology's nevertheless hither, and it's still chuffing hard.

For less experienced players, this is an absolute godsend; what was one time a brilliant and colourful yet deceivingly devilish platformer is at present much more than accessible to those new to the Donkey Kong State formula. That'southward non to say that Funky Manner is straight-up easy though. Despite having played through the Wii U version several times we still establish our time with Funky frustratingly unforgiving at times. It'southward certainly easier than with DK, but it's by no ways something you can blitz through without taking a hit. Enemies are exactly where they were before, pits are just as big, and Funky's new moves aren't as overpowered equally they may seem on paper.

Despite having the ability to boring his descent to a crawl by belongings the jump push, when you're doing then your horizontal movement is cripplingly wearisome. Unless you're near to miss a ledge by a very small margin, you'll probably still end up tumbling to your death, albeit gradually. Standing on spikes is all well and proficient, but it's just continuing. You can't run or even walk, meaning you lot accept to jump each time you lot want to move forward, which tin put you in troublesome situations if an enemy is budgeted yous. Being able to curlicue forever as well has its drawbacks, every bit it's non as easy to come to a stop when doing and then, and on several occasions we've blasted ourselves into spear-wielding foe before nosotros can finish ourselves. And so can all this hardship, even in Funky Mode, be worth information technology? Absolutely.

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The difficulty remainder is borderline perfect. Levels are tough, simply each time you dice you're painfully aware that information technology's your fault and you're the one who misread the situation or mistimed that spring. We believe we merely encountered one instance of what you could call a 'cheap' moment where we didn't have had enough time to react, and fifty-fifty and then information technology was only a unmarried hit from an enemy rather than an instant death. It was during one of the infamously tricky '1000' levels which can only be unlocked by finding all the KONG letters in a globe.

The sense of accomplishment for finally completing a level you've been struggling with is undeniably wonderful, nonetheless no unmarried level is so frustrating that it fabricated usa quit out of anger. Every time you'll progress a petty scrap further, you'll larn where you went wrong, and you'll improve for the next run. Once more, nosotros experience this is largely due to the almost full absence of inexpensive, artificial difficulty spikes.

Allow's quickly round up by talking about the presentation. Information technology'south totally and utterly gorgeous, with every screen looking entirely original and unique and bursting with colour, a soundtrack to brand Mozart jealous, and animations smoother than butter. Everything is refined to a T, from the gameplay, to the presentation. Certain, the rough charm present in the Rare titles is missing, but that'southward to exist expected; those games were created by a different team with different sensibilities using much cruder technology. Tropical Freeze is a glorious refinement of Rare'southward approach, but nosotros tin see how some diehard DKC fans might prefer the SNES originals, perhaps due to the employ of rose-tinted specs.

Conclusion

There's no dubiety almost information technology, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is one of the most refined and enjoyable platformers money can buy. The levels are all beautiful - not only because of their delightful new 1080p resolution, but also their structure; the characters motion with fluidity and brilliant responsiveness, and the inclusion of Funky Kong brings rest for those who take less feel with brutally tough platformers. It's so well-made that it's virtuallybesides well-made; there'south an absence of a certain 'rough-and-ready' amuse found in the original DKC trilogy. This is, however, a complaint then minor information technology's practically insignificant. Donkey Kong'south outset appearance on Switch is streamlined, rewarding, and immensely adept fun; whatever fan of 2D platformers simply has to go this game.

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