Yoshi's Woolly World Wii U - Review


Yoshi's Woolly World was a game I instantly fell in love with the moment I saw it, way back in January, 2013 when it was titled "Yarn Yoshi" (which I still think is a better name but whatever). Though we barely got any information about this game, with only a few short seconds of gameplay and a handful of screenshots, this was a game I wanted, and I wanted it now.



This is one of the earlier screenshots so you 
can see just how far the games come

Time went past and "Yarn Yoshi" wasn't spoken about for a long while, but I was still eager to get my hands on it, but why? Why was I so keen to play a game that I knew absolutely nothing about? Simple. It looked cute. The games cuteness is a major selling point, and is actually a pretty good one at that. Because of how cute the game looked I was so oblivious to how difficult it would end up being, I instantly thought that because it was cute, it was a game that was intended for a young audience, and a game that an older audience could it back and relax by playing, and a player such as myself would have no trouble playing this game at all. But boy, was I wrong.



Now I'm not saying 10/10 most difficult game I've ever played, but this game is definitely a lot more challenging than what I first expected, by a long shot. I'm sure I'm not the only one, but Little Big Planet was the only thing I could think of when I first saw this game, and because of that, I expected it to be just as easy as LBP is, but instead, they created a game as cute as Little Big Planet, but as challenging as the Yoshi's Island series, which overall creates a very well produced game.



However, thanks to development team, if you're struggling making it through a level, there are a number of attributes to the game to give you a helping hand. Firstly, you can buy certain badges from the gems you've collected in the levels to grant you immunity to certain hazards in the stage, or to just give you an overall boost in general. Secondly, if you are really struggling, you can always switch the game to Mellow Mode which allows for easy movement of levels, and near invincibility, making the level that much easier for players who are really struggling.



Speaking of the levels, I honestly can not say how blown away I am by each level design. Every single one feels new and unique, and I really do struggle to find words to explain them. Not only are the level designs beautifully crafted by yarn and other sewing materials, but the music that accompanies them is just outstanding, and really makes the level that much more enjoyable. If anyone here played Smash on the Wii U, you'd have a vague idea what I'm talking about from the Yoshi's Woolly World stage and music they put in the game - just try to imagine a lot more stages that look like that, and how good the music sounds, and you'll have a pretty good idea what I'm talking about.



As mentioned about, the level designs look really well, but there's more to them that meets the surface. Each level is filled with secret, hidden areas that hide gems or Wonder Wool, and it takes a good eye to be able to find all areas in every level. I think this is a great idea because if you're looking to find everything, it essentially forces you to look all over the level, and observe just how great it really looks. I've gone back and played some levels to find stuff I missed on my first play through, and even though I've come out empty handed, I've always noticed nifty designs and features to the level that I didn't even notice the first time. Though I didn't exactly find what I was looking for, I was really able to take in the levels design and appreciate it for just how well designed it is.



The amiibo figures are something that have been going strong for about 8 months now, and it's nice to finally get a game that has some decent amiibo support (I'm really not a fan of any pre-existing amiibo support). Of course, this isn't the best idea for amiibo support that could be in a game (*patiently waits for Disney Infinity/Skylanders amiibo game*), but just the addition of allowing select amiibo to change your Yoshi's skin is a really nice touch to the game, but also gives amiibo that much needed functionality. Though some of the patterns don't look that great (namely the ones with a lot of detail to them), other ones are simply amazing.



Not to mention, the Yarn Yoshi amiibo are so adorable. Scanning in one of the Yarn Yoshi amiibo will allow a second NPC Yoshi character to appear in the game and help you through the level. If you've ran out of yarn balls you can simply turn them into one and throw them at an enemy, or you can throw them in an area you can't reach, and grab the treasures that lay there. A really unique feature about this support, is that scanning in the Yarn Yoshi amiibo will bring in a Yarn Yoshi the same color as the amiibo scanned, but if you scan in a Smash or Super Mario Yoshi, you'll actually be gifted with a green, plastic looking Yoshi, that doesn't look like yarn at all.



Of course, this game also has local co-op play so you can play along side a family member or friend if you're having trouble with a level, and don't have a Yoshi amiibo to scan in. Co-op has different perks with the additional player than scanning in an amiibo. You have no control over the amiibo character, which basically just follows you around, but if you're playing with someone else they'll actually be able to control their Yoshi - which is a bonus to having someone else playing with you, but it can make the game a lot more challenging and confusing if you lack communication.



This is a game that I genuinely really love, there's so much replay value due to collectibles, and I strongly recommend you pick it up if you're looking for an interesting, yet captivating game. Everything about this game just makes me happy and fills me with joy, and is a real good mood lifter. For me, at least, it's pretty rare for a game to actually enhance my overall mood, and for that I thank it, and can't wait to go back to playing it right away!

Comments

  1. I think we have the same tast depending on games. I need to buy this game, especially now after reading this! :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Feel free to leave a comment/question!

Popular posts from this blog

Timmy, Tommy, Celeste + More Join TOMY's Club Mocchi-Mocchi Collection