[Review] Yoshi’s Woolly World
System: Wii U
Release date: October 16, 2015
Developer: Good-Feel
Publisher Nintendo
Author: Vincent
To be perfectly honest, I’ve never fully played through a Yoshi game. I’ve always wanted to, but I just never really got around to it. Sure, the cutesy visual style of the Yoshi titles should appeal to someone like myself, but because of the seemingly simplistic gameplay, the series was never quite at the top of my list. With Yoshi’s Woolly World, however, Nintendo brought the cuteness the series is known for to a whole new level, finally pulling me in enough to try one of these games out to the fullest. Having played through what most of Yoshi’s Woolly World has to offer, I can now say that calling this game adorable is an understatement.
If you’ve played a previous Yoshi game, you’re probably more than aware of the iconic egg-throwing mechanic which has been with this franchise since its inception. No worries: it’s still here, and it works just as well as it ever has. But this time around, instead of actually throwing eggs, you throw around little balls of yarn. These allow Yoshi to wrap up and knock out enemies, fill in platforms, and bounce them all over the walls to collect various items. Other basic mechanics were changed to fit the yarn aesthetic, and every single one works.
Transformations, which last appeared in Yoshi’s New Island, also make a return. In this game, Yoshi uses his new yarn body to transform into all new kinds of objects, such as a parasol, a motorbike, and even a mermaid. The creators really thought of some interesting ideas here, although they don’t really feel in place since they’re sectioned off away from the rest of the level.
Yoshi’s transformation isn’t the only element the developers paid careful attention to, as the world around Yoshi is just as precious as he is. The environments are where the whole yarn and fabric concept is imagined to its full potential, as everything you see is made out of some sort of material. The trees are little yarn balls with needles stuck through them, the platforms are folded yarn cloths, and even the water is just different shades of blue strings waving in synchronization. However, the little details really make the world feel alive, like how the ground moves under Yoshi’s feet as if he’s actually walking through the world. It goes a long way. It just feels like the worlds are bursting at the seams with creativity, and even when you think they’ve done it all, they showcase a new and adorable new way to show off their creativity.
Once you’ve stopped admiring the game’s visual style, you can finally play through the levels, and most of the time, you’ll be just as impressed with their design as you would be with the art style. The courses are littered with smart idea after smart idea. One neat level has you spending nearly the whole time hopping on and off various velcro sticks which Yoshi would stick to and having to dodge all the enemies sticking as well. Another has you leaping across the sky as you travel across rainbows that are being created with long, colorful scarfs. On the flip-side, when a level doesn’t quite work, it feels as if they drag on forever and really halt the game’s progress. It’s not too often when you’ll find one like this, but they’re thankfully combated by being filled to the brim with collectibles, which are actually useful.
The most interesting collectible players can gather on their journey through Craft Island are little spools of yarn. There are five of these scattered across each course, and when all are collected, you’ll be gifted with a new skin for Yoshi that are, yup, you guessed it, adorable. Along with those are flowers that you can also grab, which can unlock a secret level inside each world when all are collected. Finally, there are shiny little beads that are quite literally all over the world that earn you Miiverse Stamps once you reach a certain amount. They also act as in-game currency, allowing you to purchase different badges to help Yoshi by increasing his abilities in any way they’re applied.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t throw a compliment for the music in Yoshi’s Woolly World. The various pieces are incredible, providing appropriate sounds to the levels and completing the atmosphere very well. Each song has its own distinctive vibe, and since they are rarely reused, they’re made that much more memorable. I have spent more time than I’d like to admit sitting in the music room listening to the great music this game had to offer.
While everything in Yoshi’s Woolly World can be a great experience by yourself, the multiplayer can be a bit of a mixed bag. You can play through the same levels with an additional friend at any time, and unfortunately, therein lies the problem. You play through the same levels, which feel as if they were specifically designed to fit a one-player game. Often times I found myself frustrated when one of us was moving a bit too slowly only to have ourselves killed by being off-screen and forced to float back to the other player, losing all of our yarn in the process. Of course, there’s a Mellow Mode option which gives both Yoshi’s full health and the ability to float through a course, but because the game itself never really gets too difficult, what’s the fun in that?
The final product of Yoshi’s Woolly World is a great one. Mixed in with the beautiful and cute visuals are a plethora of incredible platforming ideas and tons of content that all come together with the great soundtrack and charm. I should also mention that Yoshi has an additional skin tied to almost every amiibo out there (Pokemon are the exceptions), so just when you think the game couldn’t get any cuter, it does. Aside from some of the odd levels and the multiplayer that doesn’t quite work the way you’d like it to, there’s a lot to love in this game. It’s finally here: the Yoshi we’ve all been yarn-ing for.
Yoshi’s Woolly World has a little something for everyone. Cute visuals and fun platforming are sure enough to keep you enticed during the holiday season. If you’re looking for a story-driven platformer, you won’t find it here. But what you will find is a game as charming as it is creative, so it’s definitely worth your time.
