Wednesday, May 07, 2014

The Great Gaymathon Review #68: Yoshi's New Island (3DS)


Game: Yoshi's New Island
Genre: Platformer
Developer: Arzest
Publisher: Nintendo
System: 3DS
Release date: 2014

Now that everyone else on the planet has declared this Yoshi's Island follow-up to be a stinker of the first degree, I'm going to spend a few hundred words doing the same here, right? Wrong.

In fact, although I agree with those critics who gnash their teeth and wring their hands while muttering that New Island never quite reaches the heights its predecessor hit in terms of gameplay, graphics, soundtrack or even engagement, I also believe it eventually shows itself to be a "worthy enough" successor to that classic 16-bit platformer in most, if not all, of those same areas.

As for why that is, let's start by talking about the most important of the aforementioned elements: gameplay. For the most part, there's little difference between controls and options found in the original Yoshi's Island and those found in New Island. Jumping, inhaling enemies and tossing eggs serve as the anchors of both titles, and each of those actions feels pretty much the same regardless of which game you're playing. (It's possible jumping is a smidge slower in the 3DS title, but I can't say that with any confidence.)

New Island does attempt to add some spice to the Yoshi-platformer formula by throwing huge eggs of a couple of sorts and a handful of gyro-controlled bonus games that turn the titular dinosaur into various vehicles into the mix, but in my opinion neither winds up making the kind of impact or impression Nintendo seems to think they should make on players. So, it's probably best to think of New Island as "more of the same" in terms of gameplay--which is fine by me.

When it comes to New Island's graphics, on the other hand, there's no question that early impressions aren't good. At all. At first, everything looks, at best, to be a bastardization of the original. (Compare the aesthetics of the opening stage in Yoshi's Island to the first one in Yoshi's New Island for a particularly glaring and depressing example.) A few worlds in, though, and the situation improves mightily. In fact, my only complaint with this game's visuals in the end is that they sometimes seem a bit too mishmash-y due to the variety of art styles (chalk, crayon and watercolor paint among them) stuffed into each and every stage.

Another area in which Yoshi's New Island initially disappoints is its soundtrack. Gone are the assertively peppy songs that filled the first Yoshi's Island title, and in their place are a selection of far more laid-back tunes. Like New Island's graphics, though, I eventually came to appreciate, if not love, its background music and respect that its composer, Masayoshi Ishi, decided to take an altogether different path, aurally speaking, than his predecessor (Koji Kondo).

Given the positive-ish-leaning-toward-ho-hum reactions I've shared so far, it shouldn't be too hard to understand how some people who've played New Island have walked away feeling sour while others (like myself) have left it with a more appealing taste in our mouths. I can't help but imagine, though, that the former group of folks (the ones who aren't fans of Yoshi's New Island) may have had a less negative reaction to the game had the overall experience been a tad more engaging. After all, try as it might, this 3DS title never quite matches the original in that regard--although I'd be hard-pressed to point out exactly why that is. I have a feeling, though, it's due to the folks at developer Arzest being too concerned with aping the first game's key components instead of trying to improve upon them.

Regardless, I still consider Yoshi's New Island to be a worthwhile pick-up for 3DS owners--yes, even those who've placed the 16-bit original on a pedestal--looking for a platformer that'll keep them busy for 15 or so hours. Just make sure you don't go into it expecting it to resemble Super Mario World 3 or anything crazy like that.


See also: previous 'Great Gaymathon' reviews

26 comments:

Stephen said...

Thank you for your thoughts. That alleviates some of my concerns as neither I nor my SO have played the original so we would have to enjoy the new game on it's own merits.
Definitely on the 'to purchase' list now.

thegaygamer.com said...

Hey there, Stephen! Actually, I think you're probably in the best possible position to enjoy Yoshi's New Island, as you won't be blinded by your love of the original game while playing the new one (which is the situation most folks seem to be finding themselves in with YNI).


You still may dislike Yoshi's New Island, of course, but I'm hoping that won't be the case. Regardless, I hope you'll let me know what you and your SO think about it after you've given it a go!

Chief said...

I don't like both of them. The throwing egg mechanic & screaming baby mario really didn't connect with me. Finished both of them though. I'd say this screams modern Nintendo to me.. Instead of covering new ground it felt much to much the same as the original. Too nostalgic and very formulaic. The differences in art style for the most part were minimal and the miss-matched art styles in the new one did not seem to fit. The original had the different art style going for it, this time it's not as fresh as before and because of that less whimsical than before. Unfortunately due to the crying I never quite listen to the sound track and just tune it out or turn it off altogether.


I've never been one to get why the original is beloved but, for the naysayers that loved the first one wouldn't this be just as "god-tier".

Chief said...

It's a solid platformer. Like the other "New" series of Nintendo platformers it sticks to close to the past and breaks little new ground.

thegaygamer.com said...

Hey there, Chief! Well, I certainly can understand your distaste for this game's (and the original's) "crying baby" sound effect. As much as I like both games, that scream drives me buts!


I'm always surprised to hear people say they don't like the egg-throwing mechanic, though. Why is that in your case? Is it too cumbersome or awkward, or is there some other reason?


Me, I've always liked it. It gives these particular platformers their own unique "feel," in my opinion.


I'm not sure I'd agree with you that the difference between this game's art style and that of the original are minimal, by the way. They're pretty darn different, if you ask me.


I far prefer the original's art style, of course, but I do think this game's style comes into its own later on in the experience.


As for your comment about Nintendo, and this game, focusing too much on nostalgia or formula, I definitely agree with that, to an extent. Like I suggested at the end of this review, I really wish Nintendo had tried some new things with this game. Use the original as a point of reference, but don't ape it completely. Obviously the devs had other things in mind...

thegaygamer.com said...

That's about the gist of it, Chief. And, yes, I also wish Nintendo would break free from the past a bit more with these "New" games. I thought A Link Between the Past accomplished that more successfully than this game, although I'm sure many folks will disagree with that statement.

michaelstearns said...

I remember even back in the day there was a certain review schism, those who hated baby Mario's crying, and those who hated baby Mario's crying but loved everything else. :)

thegaygamer.com said...

You're right, Michael! And not only that, but there was a group of folks who considered the game too "kiddie," too. Of course, this was around the height of the great Sega vs. Nintendo war, so I guess we shouldn't be surprised to hear it today, right? ;)

michaelstearns said...

I lump those guys in the first group. ;)

TheGameroomBlitz said...

Not to be rude, but I can't believe you bought this before Kirby Triple Deluxe!

thegaygamer.com said...

Ha! OK then :)

thegaygamer.com said...

But I bought this quite some time ago, Jess! In fact, I pre-ordered it. And at that time I planned to get Kirby on day one as well. That's since changed and now I plan on picking up Kirby in a few months. So, don't worry, I'll still get it :) Anyway, this game not your cup of tea, I take it? (I feel like you've shared your opinion on it before, but I'm sad to say I can't remember it!)

TheGameroomBlitz said...

Since I've never played it, I can't say if Yoshi's New Island is Ar-zesty enough for my tastes. However, I share Chief's lukewarm reception to the original game. It's a little too loose, and a little too enamored with Yoshi-killing gimmicks. The day care aesthetic doesn't bother me at all (probably no surprise if you're familiar with my old site mascot Byron) but there's a lot about Yoshi's Island that feels off the mark to me.


I still want to beat it just to see Baby Bowser demand to ride the "green donkey," though. :D

thegaygamer.com said...

Wow, two people who visit my site and dislike Yoshi's Island. I never thought I'd see the day! ;)


I stand by my love of it, even in the wake of your double-barreled assault! Ha ha :)

Justin Difazzio said...

That's fair. I spent loads of time playing the first iteration, which I very much enjoyed. However, the second was sort of ho-hum for me. This, the third, unless I find it very cheap somewhere, I'll pass it up.

thegaygamer.com said...

Yeah, I think that's probably a safe path to take for most folks, Justin. In looking back on my experience with it, I asked myself two questions: did I have a good enough time with it, and do I regret spending money it? My responses were yes and no, respectively--which, admittedly, isn't the kind of thrilling response I'd hoped I would have after playing this game, but I'd still say it's preferable to something more negative. So, I guess what I'm saying is that I can understand why folks might read this review and walk away from it thinking, "yeah, I think I'll pass on that one."

TheGameroomBlitz said...

Sometimes good enough is good enough. I'll be honest, Gunstar Super Heroes on the Game Boy Advance didn't live up to the high standards of the Genesis game- the design was hugely uneven, with a few stages that were no fun at all to play- but I'm still happy I own it. Twenty years ago, I never would have thought Gunstar Heroes would GET a sequel.


Also, I didn't think Yoshi's Island DS was the travesty most people believe it to be. As you know, I'm not a big fan of the series, but it seemed to be a solid retread, and the new babies (Baby Wario! Ha ha!) added some welcome variety.


Oddly, I think I enjoyed Yoshi's Touch and Go more than any of the others in the series, even though most die-hard fans were FURIOUS about its simple, arcade-style gameplay. I still go back to that one from time to time... it's fun and challenging, without being too demanding. Makes good use of the DS touchscreen, too!

thegaygamer.com said...

Yep, I agree that sometimes good enough is good enough, Jess. Not every game can be a smashing success or a piece of art or whatever, right?


Also, it's funny that you brought up both Yoshi's Island DS and Yoshi's Touch and Go here. I recently acquired both of them, although I've yet to play either. I'll do so soon and share my thoughts in a future "Shall We Do It?" post.

TheGameroomBlitz said...

Looking forward to your analysis!

thegaygamer.com said...

I'm especially looking forward to trying Yoshi's Touch and Go (or in my case, Catch! Touch! Yoshi!), I have to say. I've always thought it looked/sounded interesting...

Chief said...

The egg-throwing mechanic is awkward to me and isn't as precise as I'd like it to be. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to fight with an integral game mechanic. It also distracted from me what I enjoy in platformers; solving puzzles, discovering new areas by jumping around, and finding ways to speed through levels.

Chief said...

The art style is childlike and whimsical. I liked it to some degree. The acid trip levels where excellent looking. I liked that & I was more interested in what SEGA was doing.

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, yes, the acid-trip levels were great. Why are none of those in New Island? Harrumph...

thegaygamer.com said...

Interesting! I guess this is just a case of two people reacting completely differently to a game, as I've always loved the egg-throwing mechanic and I've also always found it to be about as accurate as it could be in such a situation. (I can't imagine how you could make it more accurate, at any rate.) Anyway, there's certainly nothing wrong with not enjoying these games, no matter the reasons!

Chief said...

They should have been. They are such stand out experiences that I kept playing them and speed running them before speed running was a thing.

thegaygamer.com said...

Yep, although I'm sure you can overdo a good thing in this instance!