PixlBit

The Kongs Return once again.

My feelings about Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze are a bit strange. After playing it, I’m looking forward to the final product. However, while the game retains the charm and tight gameplay of Returns, it didn’t seem to bring anything new to the table. The demo I played didn’t include Dixie Kong, so I was left with Donkey and Diddy, which might’ve been part of the problem.

Retaining the gameplay of the first game isn’t a deficit though – the controls and precision platforming made for a fun few levels that were a combination of challenge and memorization. That said, I hoped for more new twists to the formula than simply some altered camera angles. Despite this seeming lack of evolution, the gameplay is still more than enough of a reason to give it a look. Hopefully having Dixie Kong integrated in will provide for that new twist I’m looking for.

The game controlled identically to the previous entry. I only had the opportunity to use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk set up, which is how I played Returns and it worked just fine. Those who were hoping for the removal of the motion controls might be upset to know that they are returning, however the gamepad will likely remap that action to a button for those who prefer it. The only new maneuver I can think of was the ability to pull certain switches, or objects out of the ground which didn’t really add much to the experience.

Difficulty wise, it is still Donkey Kong Country. You can expect the difficult Mine Cart and Rocket Barrel sequences to return. They have taken a cue from the 3DS versions and now have a mode where you have a bit more health than usual, but fans who want a challenge will surely have the chance to experience it.

Though it was once slated for a December launch, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is now due out in February 2014. Be on the lookout, as it is shaping up to be yet another quality platforming experience on Wii U.