Arguably the only 2d platformer with triple A quality in the past two decades. This game is a perfect follow up to Returns in almost every way and has so much attention to every detail, with every level having one or multiple unique gameplay ideas that additionally tie into the scenery and theme of the level to create an extremely immersive and pretty world.
The 3D environments created for each level are so fun and inspired, with one of the world's entire themes being the factory process of harvesting, juicing, then jellifying fruit which translates to the gameplay is so unique, on top of all the call backs to Returns and previous dkc games. That attention to detail is the biggest selling point of Tropical Freeze and why it sets itself apart from every other 2D platformer.
The gameplay elements of every level keep the game from ever feeling repetitive or basic, while never introducing mechanics that are overwhelming (outside of the post-game levels) or feel like they aren't from a DK game. The fact that the worst level in tropical freeze is just "ok" just goes to show how great it is.
There's only a couple of aspects that stop it from being a perfect 2D platformer for me, the main one being it feels like it's missing some sort of X factor in the game's core mechanics, such as more tools to play around with or a bigger skill curve to optimising movement, but the main goal of DK games were never the core mechanics and always focused on level design and immersion, so it also doesn't worsen the game for me. I'm also extremely biased over platformers that are able to use the gameplay to tell an actual story which is something this game lacks, but who gives a fuck if there's no story it's fucking donkey kong
The other aspects that draw the game back for me are the bosses and the side content, both of which are still "good" but so many other platformers from the same decade have done both platformer bosses and side content so much better where I don't think I can say this game succeeds at everything it set out to be.
The music is also perfect for the game and its crazy how the only composer for donkey kong ever was grant kirkhope and no one else. what a talent
The 3D environments created for each level are so fun and inspired, with one of the world's entire themes being the factory process of harvesting, juicing, then jellifying fruit which translates to the gameplay is so unique, on top of all the call backs to Returns and previous dkc games. That attention to detail is the biggest selling point of Tropical Freeze and why it sets itself apart from every other 2D platformer.
The gameplay elements of every level keep the game from ever feeling repetitive or basic, while never introducing mechanics that are overwhelming (outside of the post-game levels) or feel like they aren't from a DK game. The fact that the worst level in tropical freeze is just "ok" just goes to show how great it is.
There's only a couple of aspects that stop it from being a perfect 2D platformer for me, the main one being it feels like it's missing some sort of X factor in the game's core mechanics, such as more tools to play around with or a bigger skill curve to optimising movement, but the main goal of DK games were never the core mechanics and always focused on level design and immersion, so it also doesn't worsen the game for me. I'm also extremely biased over platformers that are able to use the gameplay to tell an actual story which is something this game lacks, but who gives a fuck if there's no story it's fucking donkey kong
The other aspects that draw the game back for me are the bosses and the side content, both of which are still "good" but so many other platformers from the same decade have done both platformer bosses and side content so much better where I don't think I can say this game succeeds at everything it set out to be.
The music is also perfect for the game and its crazy how the only composer for donkey kong ever was grant kirkhope and no one else. what a talent
2 Comments
Apparently I forgot to say in the above comment but the composer of this game and most other DK games is David Wise
JCLKaytwo
2 months ago