Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

🎮 Game Boy Advance ⏳ 9 hours ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Non-Linear Exploration Focus #

This title is a distinctive entry in the Kirby series that experiments with non-linear exploration, setting it apart from previous Kirby titles. Instead of progressing through a strictly linear set of levels, you navigate a vast, interconnected mirrored world, filled with branching paths, secret areas, and hidden treasures. This design encourages you to explore thoroughly, rewarding curiosity and careful navigation with power-ups and secret collectibles.

Classic Gameplay, Multiplayer Added #

The game retains the classic Kirby formula of inhaling enemies to gain their abilities, offering a wide variety of powers that can be strategically combined to overcome obstacles. The combat is simple but satisfying, and the puzzles, though not overly complex, add a nice layer of variety to the gameplay. A major highlight is the introduction of cooperative multiplayer, which allows up to four players to join in simultaneously, each controlling a different colored Kirby. I’ve never experienced the multiplayer feature so I can’t give much of a valuable opinion on this, I played this entirely alone, and it was still an enjoyable experience.

Charming Visuals and Sound #

Visually, the game is bright, colorful, and full of charm, with detailed sprite work that brings the mirrored world to life. The OST is lively and memorable, perfectly complementing the whimsical, adventurous tone of the game, similar to previous titles of this franchise. On the downside, the open-world structure can sometimes feel a bit aimless compared to the tight, level-based design of other Kirby games, and certain areas can become repetitive during extended play sessions.

Open-World Strengths and Weaknesses #

It’s open-world is it’s biggest strength, and also it’s biggest weakness, it was not very well implemented, leading you to waste a couple of unnecessary hours lost in the navigation process. Overall, this game is a bold and enjoyable experiment in the series, its combination of open-ended exploration, classic Kirby gameplay, and multiplayer fun makes it a unique and memorable experience for both longtime fans and newcomers alike, offering a refreshing take on the pink puffball’s adventures.