Yoshi’s Woolly World Review (Wii U)

Review Context: : As long the controls are responsive and fun I’ll play just about any platform game. I have played the previous Yoshi Island games, but still consider Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island to be my favorite. *Hint Hint*

Date of Playthrough: January 6, 2016

After giving Kirby a makeover in Kirby’s Epic Yarn, Good-Feel in mid production decided to change the style of the next Yoshi game from a cute platform game to a cuter platform game. Whenever a new Yoshi game is announced, most are hoping it’ll have the same charm as Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island on the SNES. Will giving Yoshi a new look help reinvent the franchise, or should you sew this game back up?

Graphics

While the yarn visuals in Kirby’s Epic Yarn were amazing on Wii, the Wii U hardware took full advantage of the world making a more believable world made of yarn. Soft textures were used so you could see the fiber in great detail. When Yoshi glides, his feet become a propeller, and when he runs they turn into wheels. Games like this make me feel that I’ll have mental cavities from how sweet the game looks. Water and lava levels look the best since they take a creative turn with these elements, not to mention the velcro being used in a smart way to show that the developers really thought of how yarn would work in certain environments. I always have a hard time defeating enemies because they’re so darn cute. I advise staying away from this game if you can’t handle bright colorful games such as this.

Controls

This game supports the Wii U Gamepad (with no features other than Off-TV Play), Wii and Wii U Pro Controller, and Wiimote. The controls work well, and with a platform game you need to make sure the controls are tight so you can make those precise jumps. There is an option to hold or toggle for throwing the egg. Also you can change different button configurations. People who have played other Yoshi titles will feel comfortable with this game, as the gameplay hasn’t been altered. Newbies will be able to pick up controls instantly no matter what controller preference you choose.

Design

Kamek needs a hobby bad. The story has Kamek turning all the Yoshi population into yarn balls for his boss Baby Bowser to play with. It is up to you as the sole survivor to save your other pals. You will be traveling through seven worlds to rebuild the Yoshi population. Like other Yoshi games, this game will have items for you to collect and that is tallied when you beat each level. If you collect all five flowers in each level you unlock a new Yoshi with a different skin. Coco Yoshi is my favorite. You can also customize your own Yoshi skins with different attires collected throughout the game.

Speaking of, you can use amiibos to unlock skins for that character. Scan a Mario amiibo, get a Yarn Yoshi Mario skin etc… If you manage to grab a Mega Yoshi amiibo it’ll have you control two Yoshis if you don’t have a friend to play with. The game does support local co-op, so as long you have someone that isn’t a jerk the experience can be playful.

One of the dislikes of Kirby’s Epic Yarn is that you can’t die. In Yoshi’s Woolly World you can, but if it gets too hard or you die a lot, the game will ask if you want to play in Mellow Mode. Mellow Mode is an optional feature that has the game take you by the hand as you get wings to fly and unlimited health. As you beat levels you unlock badges that you can use before each level to get some extra help. I always use the badge that gives me the location of all the red coins since I’m a collector (somewhat). I don’t want to give anything away, but the final battle was disappointing. Heck, if you’ve played Yoshi’s Island (SNES) you’ll already know how to defeat most of the bosses, but they do throw in a twist to keep it fresh.

Sound

Audio for this game is adorable; from Yoshi with his trademark happy voice to the enemies trying to sound scary. The soundtrack is well done with each track fitting the mood of the level. In an older review, I stated how if I hum the theme then you did something right. The main theme is beyond catchy, since the theme involves whistling. Though I can’t whistle, I did find myself humming the theme along with the game whenever that music is played.

Similar Games Liked:
Kirby’s Epic Yarn (Wii)
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (SNES)
Yoshi’s Story (N64)

Similar Game Disliked:
Yoshi’s Island DS (DS)