DONKEY KONG: JUNGLE BEAT
I went in skeptical enough knowing that this title was not only developed by a brand new studio, but that would be controlled with a questionable new control method for platformers. My control concerns were cast away and my faith in the studio instilled after finished the first full level of Jungle Beat. I'm a few levels in and I know recognize that this is the best platformer this generation has seen.
I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to be able to execute everything in the game so gracefully and how great it feels to have such direct and hands-on control at all times. So many platformers today focus on everything but the platforming. They have control issues, camera issues, and about 100 other things you could be doing instead of finishing a level. Jungle Beat brings platforming back to its roots while re-inventing it with a superb new control scheme, a well executed combo system, and some of the coolest combat you'll see.
I think I'll touch on how satisfying everything is. They've managed, through a great many things (sound effects, animation, timing), to make everything you do feel so satisfying. I feel compelled to collect bananas because it feels good when you hit a patch of bananas and clap to collect them. It's satisfying to make your way through the levels as gracefully as possible; hitting every enemy, jump, swing, and wall-jump all in a row. Do you remember how, in Super Mario Bros., when you would be bouncing through a level perfectly and you would get halted by a bad jump and end up delayed behind a pipe or a block... Do you remember how bad that felt knowing you could have made it? I get that feeling in Jungle Beat. You just barely miss a jump or a patch of bananas and you feel instantly compelled to try again because you know you can get it. It's satisfying to have levels so wonderfully laid out that you can navigate them to the finish gracefully and without mistake.
The combat is really fun and feels really great, too. I was suprised at just how many things I was able to do with the Kongas and was suprised at how many vastly different boss encounters there have been. Even if a couple of the bosses repeat, there's a new play dynamic the next time around. It feels great once you've done everything to avoid their attack and get in that opening punch that allows a barrage of back-and-forths on your foe. Really a wonderful thing.
-The music is wonderful and very Donkey Kong-ish.
-The style is wonderful and the graphics execute that style so very well. So many little details and touches make the game a thing to behold.
-The game is charming, too. It's so great to see those little monkeys at random points through the level bounding around, clapping, or playing intruments along with the music.
DK:JB really is the best and most satisfying platformer in a long time. Play something like Klonoa 2, Super Mario Sunshine, or Jak, then try this out. You really will be amazed, I think.
