Exploring the New Horizons of Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World Expansion
In my recent adventure testing early games for the Switch 2, I had the pleasure of diving into the Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World expansion. This upgrade pack introduces an entirely new narrative and location, seamlessly integrating with the original game to enhance the gameplay experience without feeling like an afterthought.
Beginning the Journey
The demo kicked off with Kirby and Elfilin soaring through space on a Warp Star. The narrative sets the stage: a meteor has impacted the forgotten lands. Kirby lands on a beach reminiscent of the original game before making his way to a vibrant urban center. This time around, crystal formations speckle the landscape as a direct consequence of the meteor’s arrival. The visuals on the Switch 2 are striking, showcasing enhanced effects where combat with certain clusters allows the environment to evolve, further unlocking areas for exploration. I was particularly impressed by the fluidity of the 60fps, which added to the overall gameplay immersion.
A Challenging Encounter
During my gameplay, I opted for the newly introduced Wild Mode, intended to increase difficulty. While standard enemies didn’t feel drastically different, the “tainted” foes did present a refreshing challenge. Right from the start, I faced a Crystal Awoofy, which, although not dramatically tougher, required more hits to vanquish. Other familiar characters like Orabiroo exhibited heightened aggression, while the Big Kabu withstood additional damage before succumbing.
New Abilities and Boss Encounters
Among the most notable enemies were Crystal Tortorner and Crystal Wild Frosty. Crystal Tortorner introduced a new gameplay mechanic where I had to utilize the Spring Mouth Kirby Mouthful Mode to overcome it. Inhaling the spring enables higher jumps or ground pounds essential for traversing obstacles. This mechanic was vital for dodging attacks and ultimately defeating the creature.
As for Crystal Wild Frosty, this adversary was notably more aggressive, delivering area-of-effect attacks that involved leaping and slamming down, not to mention launching snowballs and homing ice blasts. Armed with a Hammer power-up, I found that the improved framerate significantly heightened the excitement and precision of the combat.
Exploration and Challenges
The expansion also retained the extra stage challenges characteristic of the base game. These included objectives such as retrieving items perched atop crystal formations and discovering Wild Starries—new creatures that emerged with the meteor descent. Engaging with these objectives prompted me to explore creatively, fostering a sense of discovery as I scaled buildings and accomplished optional tasks.
A Fresh Take on a Beloved Classic
Based on my gameplay experience, the Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World expansion appears set to reinvigorate the original title. The enhancements build upon existing content with a refreshing spin on familiar locales and enemies. The Spring Mouth ability, in particular, proved to be a game-changer, fitting well with the new challenges encountered throughout the stages. On the visual front, the upgrade pack delivered an impressive performance on the Switch 2, and I eagerly anticipate further surprises within the new storyline.
Mark your calendars! The Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World expansion pack will launch for the Nintendo Switch 2 on August 28, 2025, while the base game is available for play now.
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