2010 was a great year for platformers, and one of the best came late in the year, but it was well worth the wait. Donkey Kong Country Returns was a game that took me by surprise. From early impressions and screen shots, it looked “safe”; no crazy art direction or drastically different game play, as Nintendo did with Kirby and Metroid. However, this was just what the doctor ordered. Much how Retro Studios was able to capture the right feel and tone of the Metroid games, they did pitch perfect with Donkey Kong Country Returns.
The game is bright and vibrant, and in some parts adorable. The platforming is never stale and always inventive, which is a tough nut to crack these days given this is one of the oldest gaming genres. Some may gripe about the control scheme adding extra waggle, which at first seems to introduce needless complexity to the controls. But it can sure be gratifying to shake your controllers like a mad man after finally beating an especially tough boss. True, the game could have only been better by offering a traditional control scheme, but it still doesn’t take away from the core gameplay and amazing level design that made this one of the greats of 2010.
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