Kirby’s Epic Yarn is for ‘serious gamers’ too

This article is over 13 years old and may contain outdated information

Recommended Videos

People with hearts are loving Kirby’s Epic Yarn. Hardcore gamers, however, famously lack a soul, and thus they have written the game off for being too “kiddy” and “easy.” Nevertheless, developer GoodFeel believes that anybody can enjoy the game, no matter their leanings.

“As a team, we were extremely opposed to the idea of an action game where the game wasn’t over when an enemy got you,” says producer Etsunobu Ebisu. “We debated that for quite a long time. …we thought it would be fine if we just made a fun game the way we’re good at.

Fellow producer Nobuo Matsumiya adds: “When serious gamers play, they want to clear a level without any mistakes like running into enemies, so this game is made so you really feel regret when you run into enemies and a strong sense of achievement when you clear a level without any mistakes.â€

This is very much the approach I took with Epic Yarn, and I feel those who write the game off for being “easy” have a very blinkered and myopic view on what challenge actually is. Challenge doesn’t always mean losing lives and getting game over screens. Epic Yarn provides a very different sort of challenge, and one I am very satisfied with.

How Kirby’s Epic Yarn challenges players through humiliation [Joystiq via GoNintendo]

People with hearts are loving Kirby’s Epic Yarn. Hardcore gamers, however, famously lack a soul, and thus they have written the game off for being too “kiddy” and “easy.” Nevertheless, developer GoodFeel believes that anybody can enjoy the game, no matter their leanings.

“As a team, we were extremely opposed to the idea of an action game where the game wasn’t over when an enemy got you,” says producer Etsunobu Ebisu. “We debated that for quite a long time. …we thought it would be fine if we just made a fun game the way we’re good at.

Fellow producer Nobuo Matsumiya adds: “When serious gamers play, they want to clear a level without any mistakes like running into enemies, so this game is made so you really feel regret when you run into enemies and a strong sense of achievement when you clear a level without any mistakes.”

This is very much the approach I took with Epic Yarn, and I feel those who write the game off for being “easy” have a very blinkered and myopic view on what challenge actually is. Challenge doesn’t always mean losing lives and getting game over screens. Epic Yarn provides a very different sort of challenge, and one I am very satisfied with.

How Kirby’s Epic Yarn challenges players through humiliation [Joystiq via GoNintendo]


Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission.Ā Learn more about our Affiliate Policy