It seems that Nintendo is trying to cutesify every franchise in their repertoire by converting the graphics into craft supplies. This style emerged with Kirby’s Epic Yarn, a game I thoroughly enjoyed, and has popped up in a few other titles since then.
This time they are taking it to a Yoshi’s Island-style game with Yoshi’s Woolly World. Kamek has turned your dinosaur comrades into balls of yarn that you must retrieve while navigating multiple levels of crafty worlds. But no screaming Italian babies in this one, folks.
Did I mention there will be yarn Yoshi amiibos? I didn’t? Ok, well, it’s not like we’ll be able to get our hands on them anyway, but they will exist! You can also use existing amiibo figurines with the game to give your Yoshi a bit of Mario flair. Or Donkey Kong. Or Link, even.
The trailer also features “power badges” which seem a little bit like cheating. You can be immune to fire, or easy-mode your way across gaping chasms. This feature was kind of present in Yoshi’s New Island where, if you were struggling with a level, it would basically give you an ‘I win’ button and made completing it much easier.
So this raises the concern – is the game that challenging that I will need the extra help or is this the modern equivalent of a participation trophy for fans? However, the game does look like it will support a co-op mode, so for families who want to play together, this may be a great feature.
And can my little heart handle yet another Yoshi’s Island clone? (I own 3 different versions of the game and have played 4)
We will have to wait and see, since our friends across the pond are going to get their hands on it on June 26th. We Yanks will have to wait until a to-be-announced date in the fall.
