According to Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s demo, Wild Mode is a more difficult version of the game that’ll reward players with more Coins than usual if they can overcome Forgotten Land’s challenges. Introducing a hard more to Forgotten Land may not sound revolutionary at first, but for Kirby, it’s a huge deal. Among critics and fans alike, the Kirby franchise has consistently received criticism for its low difficulty, which can consequently make each Kirby game’s unique design elements less interesting. Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Wild Mode provides the franchise with a permanent way to circumvent that without overwhelming players who like Kirby’s traditional low difficulty.

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The Importance of Forgotten Land’s Wild Mode

From its earliest days, the Kirby franchise has had a reputation for low difficulty. Masahiro Sakurai designed the original Kirby’s Dream Land to be easy for anyone to pick up and play, and that low difficulty has become a core part of the franchise. Not everyone is fond of that design, however; many players have demanded Kirby games that are more challenging overall, rather than games that can be completed handily in an afternoon or only a couple sittings. Kirby games frequently offer side challenges that feature more difficult content for hardcore players, but these are rarely enough for fans.

That’s why Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s new Wild Mode is so valuable. From the very start of the game, Kirby fans can turn up the heat, tackling daunting enemies and bosses throughout the game, rather than having to hunt down bonus challenges or secret Forgotten Land bosses that offer a true test of skill. At the same time, Kirby and the Forgotten Land still feature Spring-Breeze Mode, which sounds like it’ll provide the traditionally easy Kirby experience that franchise newcomers or casual players might prefer. Forgotten Land’s two difficulties offer players the best of both worlds.

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Evolving Kirby Difficulty

It’s worth noting that Kirby has featured a type of “hard mode” before. Players who completed Kirby’s Dream Land would unlock Extra Game, a more difficult playthrough of the game starring new enemies and more dangerous bosses. Other Kirby titles like Kirby’s Adventure and Kirby’s Return to Dream Land have featured similar post-game modes. However, Wild Mode stands apart from these modes by being available from the very beginning. Rather than having to play through the entirety of Forgotten Land before getting a hard mode, players can increase the difficulty at the start of the game, which will undoubtedly make Kirby and the Forgotten Land more fun overall for some players.

If there’s one Kirby and the Forgotten Land feature that should persist through the rest of the franchise, it’s Wild Mode. Difficulty options are a perfect answer to a problem that has persisted in the Kirby franchise for decades, so it’s great to see HAL Laboratory give it a try. There’s no telling what the future holds for Kirby after Forgotten Land, but hopefully, the game’s new approach to difficulty is a sign of things to come. Whether it’s a remake of an old game or a new installation in the series, the next Kirby game really ought to borrow Wild Mode.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land releases March 25, 2022, for Nintendo Switch.

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