Donkey Kong Country Returns

[hisak]

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So it's basically NSMBW World 9, except that it's available from the start? Sounds good to me.

Hopefully Nintendo keeps this upswing going. Announcing some actual games for the Wii next year would be a good start. That, and a sequel to this game.

[Hyruleansoldier]

Yeah the Temples seem to be quite formidable.  I'll save them for later.  I'm glad it saves your lives count though, some stages can really guarantee a couple of deaths/suicides.

I highly suspect getting Gold Medals on all stages for the Time Attacks will be the hardest thing ever.

[The_Human_Cyborg]

5 down and 3 temples to go! These are viciously hard!
I'm really impressed with the individuality of the levels. It's a lot like SMG2 in that every level is built around 1 or 2 extremely clever ideas that are never repeated. Especially the temples. Goodness the temples  are brilliant. And hard. I've used well over 100 balloons on them.
I've only done time attack for the sunset level, and I would have had gold if I remembered where the levels end was. Jumped right past it. Crap.

[hisak]

I'm very much looking forward to the Temples. So they really are practically their own world, except that they're spread out throughout the game? By that I mean: Is the first temple harder than your average World 8 level?

[The_Human_Cyborg]

Yes, they're in their own league. Two...more...levels... After that I have claimed the KONG letters of world 8! The last temple will be a doozy...

[hisak]

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Isn't there a ninth temple? Must be pretty difficult.

[Hyruleansoldier]

I really want to try the co-up.  The fact you can't hinder each other will be good - no bumping into each other.

Also, I've been getting reminded of the fun parts of Brawl's SSE adventure mode - it really hasn't been since Brawl that some classic DK minecart/barrel shooting/bouncing & swinging action could be had.


EDIT:  I just beat the Temple of the Ruins (Shifty Smashers).  The easiest one so far (I did it without Diddy).  But quite fun.

It seems pretty much everything is on YouTube now.  Will be handy for some of the puzzle pieces and some of the ALL of the time attacks.

[hisak]

Also, I've been getting reminded of the fun parts of Brawl's SSE adventure mode

So it doesn't remind you of anything?

Finished World 5 today. Loved the levels (Muncher Marathon ), hated the boss. Seriously, what the hell was that.

[Hyruleansoldier]

Oh come on, there were plenty of fun moments in SSE.

How does one get 21 hits on a boss? (the final hit you have to do, it shows the shake the nunchuk&wiimote thing, but it always only registers one hit for me.  What gives?

[hisak]

Depends on your definition of fun.

How does one get 21 hits on a boss? (the final hit you have to do, it shows the shake the nunchuk&wiimote thing, but it always only registers one hit for me.  What gives?

You need to time it right. Wait until you're close enough to hit the Tiki(s), then let loose.

Last normal level of World 6:

[Hyruleansoldier]

I still don't understand though. I wait until it shows the nunchuk&wiimote, then wave them like crazy but it's still only one hit.

5-K: Blast 'N' Bounce is a murderous bitch.  Lost 80 lives, mostly because of the freaking puzzle pieces.  It would sure help to have some extra health in this one.  OR A CHECKPOINT.

[hisak]

I don't know what the problem is then. It's worked for me every time.

World 7 is . Wouldn't be surprised if it was my favorite world in the game, just like in NSMB Wii.

[Hyruleansoldier]

So yeah, the trick to obliterating the Gold Medal time for the Mole Train (4-B) is as SOON as you start, roll-jump and jetpack over to the mole train, to already trigger the mole-pounding fest.  Be quick to bounce from one to the other, the jetpack is your friend!   Repeat the process 2 more times and you'll face the big mole, act fast cause he slashes as soon as he pops up.  Be in the middle.  If he pops up below, you might still get to hit him.

I beat the Gold time by 7 seconds, and considering how perfect you could be bouncing off each of the moles without ever missing one, the big one included, you could shave off a few more seconds still.  I feel pretty good about myself right now. ^^

[The_Human_Cyborg]

I did it. Every last temple...done.
I got stuck for 100+ lives on 6-K, Perilous Passage. Time and space transcending electric zingers made this level pure hell to complete.
Seriously, after making it through the entire level only to fall to my doom made me want to punch a baby whilst strangling a kitten while chewing a hamster...yeah, it made me angry.
After that, the final challenge was a worthy end to a fantastic game. It had me grinning like a fool for fifty deaths.

[hisak]

These good impressions will keep me going through this very difficult game.

I lost at least 30 lives while playing "Music Madness." Those giant drums at the end drove me crazy.

The "level" right before the World 7 boss fight, without spoiling too much, reminded me a lot of the End-of-Chapter levels in World of Goo. Not much in the way of level substance, but it was a cool novelty. (Of course, the respective levels in World of Goo were much more interesting, but oh well.)

I'm very disappointed with the soundtrack for this game. Pretty much the only satisfying tunes that I've come across so far are remixes of old songs. It's particularly disheartening considering that it's the same company that came up with this and this. What happened?

[The_Human_Cyborg]

I think they were going for a more ambient feel for this game. But still, metroid was all about ambience.

[Hyruleansoldier]

I haven't been able to play yet this weekend

Unlockable spoiler:

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something tells me Donkey & Diddy's color depends on what medals of Time Trial you have obtained -- if you've obtained everything on silver, your Kongs will BE silver, and ditto for gold.  I've seen silver & gold Kongs on YouTube.

[Hyruleansoldier]

I must say the 'Cog Jog' factory theme is really great, atmospheric.  Not getting on your nerves, but not lulling you into a false sense of security either.  Might be one of the best themes in the game (reworks of original themes not included).

Also, Switcheroo is one of my favorite levels.  High Galaxy factor.  Great stuff.

Music Madness is epic too =D

[hisak]

The World 7 boss felt a bit like something that belonged in a Wario Land game, but I'm okay with that.

I just started World 8. Looks to be very, very difficult.

[Hyruleansoldier]

Is that the factory electrified boss?  Didn't really like that one.  Not particularly Wario-esque, maybe Mario Galaxy if the orbs were in 3-D.  It could be.

Yeah world 8 will have you swearing over all the lava, fireballs and annoyingly moving creatures.  Good luck getting all the puzzle pieces