How to Crank Up the Challenge in Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is known for its accessible gameplay, making it enjoyable for players of all skill levels. However, for seasoned gamers or those seeking a more intense experience, there are several ways to significantly increase the difficulty. The primary methods include playing on Wild Mode, imposing self-challenges, and aiming for perfection in every aspect of the game.
Embracing the Challenge: Ways to Make Kirby Harder
1. Play on Wild Mode
Starting with the most straightforward option, choose Wild Mode at the beginning of your game. This setting, while considered the “normal” difficulty, presents a tougher challenge than Spring-Breeze Mode. Enemies are more aggressive and deal more damage, while Kirby has less health. While the difference might seem subtle at first, it adds a layer of tension that elevates the overall difficulty.
2. Beat the Game in Co-Op Mode with Handicaps
Co-op mode can be a blast, but it can also make the game easier with two players working together. To increase the difficulty, try playing co-op with one player imposing handicaps on themselves. This could involve restricting the second player to certain abilities, limiting their health, or requiring them to complete additional challenges within each level.
3. Notch All Secondary Missions
Each level in Kirby and the Forgotten Land includes hidden secondary missions, such as finding specific collectibles or defeating enemies in a particular way. While completing these missions is not mandatory to finish the game, attempting to achieve them all adds a significant layer of complexity. Some of these missions require precise timing, skillful use of abilities, and meticulous exploration, thus considerably raising the difficulty.
4. Complete the Colosseum with Restrictions
The Colosseum is a series of challenging battles against waves of enemies and bosses. Completing it is a feat in itself, but to make it harder, consider imposing restrictions such as limiting your usable abilities, avoiding healing items, or attempting to complete it with minimal damage taken.
5. Meet the Target Time in Treasure Road Stages
Treasure Road stages are mini-challenges designed to test your mastery of specific copy abilities and Mouthful Mode transformations. Meeting the target time in these stages demands a perfect run, requiring precise movements, efficient attacks, and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. This is a great way to test your skills and push your limits.
6. Upgrade All Copy Abilities
Upgrading all copy abilities requires a significant time investment and the collection of numerous Rare Stones. Some Rare Stones are hidden in difficult-to-reach areas or earned by completing challenging side quests. This adds an element of resource management and exploration, increasing the overall commitment and difficulty of the game.
7. Collect All Figures
The game features a wide array of collectible figures. Some of these figures are relatively easy to obtain, while others require completing specific tasks or reaching certain milestones. Completing a figure collection is a time-consuming endeavor that encourages exploration and persistence, making the game more challenging from a completionist standpoint.
8. Avoid Copy Abilities (or Limit Their Use)
A significant part of Kirby’s gameplay revolves around using copy abilities to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. However, restricting yourself to only using Kirby’s default abilities or limiting the number of times you can use copy abilities adds a substantial challenge. This forces you to rely on your own skill and creativity to overcome obstacles.
9. No Damage Runs
Attempting to complete levels or even the entire game without taking any damage is the ultimate test of skill and patience. This requires perfect knowledge of enemy attack patterns, precise timing, and flawless execution. A no-damage run turns the game into a strategic and demanding experience.
10. Play Without Upgrades
Resist the urge to upgrade your abilities or health. This forces you to play with a weaker character throughout the entire adventure.
11. Maximize Chaos Mouth Mode
The Chaos Mouth Mode is a super powerful ability that can only be used sparingly. By intentionally trying to save this mode for particularly difficult situations, you’ll increase the challenge of the rest of the game, as you can’t rely on this powerful tool.
12. Self-Imposed Time Limits
Set a timer for each level and try to beat it within a certain timeframe.
13. Focus on Rarity of Copy Abilities
Limit yourself to only the most rare and difficult-to-find abilities.
14. Play with One Hand
An unusual choice, but one to make it significantly harder, is to play the entire game with only one hand on the controller.
15. Blindfolded Run
This option may sound impossible, but if you know the game well enough, a blindfolded run can be an amazing choice.
By implementing these strategies, players can transform Kirby and the Forgotten Land from a lighthearted adventure into a demanding and rewarding challenge. Remember to adjust the difficulty to your skill level and have fun exploring the forgotten land in a new and exciting way! Consider further exploring educational aspects of gaming at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Kirby and the Forgotten Land naturally a difficult game?
No, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is generally considered an easy game, designed to be accessible to players of all ages and skill levels. However, it offers enough challenges to engage experienced players, especially those aiming for 100% completion. The addition of Wild Mode does provide a slightly tougher experience from the start.
2. What is the hardest difficulty setting in Kirby and the Forgotten Land?
The hardest officially recognized difficulty setting is Wild Mode. However, by imposing self-challenges and restrictions, players can make the game significantly harder than the standard Wild Mode experience.
3. Does co-op mode make the game easier?
Yes, playing in co-op mode generally makes the game easier as two players can work together to defeat enemies, solve puzzles, and revive each other. However, as mentioned earlier, handicaps can be added to make it harder.
4. What are some essential tips for completing the Treasure Road stages with target times?
To meet the target times in Treasure Road stages, focus on mastering the specific copy ability or Mouthful Mode transformation required for the stage. Practice your movements, learn the enemy placements, and optimize your attack patterns. Utilize any shortcuts or hidden paths to shave off precious seconds.
5. How do I upgrade copy abilities in Kirby and the Forgotten Land?
To upgrade copy abilities, you need Star Coins, Rare Stones, and the corresponding Blueprint for the ability you want to upgrade. Blueprints are typically found in specific levels or earned by completing side quests. Star Coins are obtained by defeating enemies and finding them scattered throughout the game world. Rare Stones are earned by clearing Treasure Road stages.
6. What is the rarest Kirby ability in the entire Kirby franchise?
According to the article snippets, Mini is a Copy Ability that is only available in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror which causes Kirby to shrink down to a smaller size, allowing him to fit through tight passageways.
7. What do you get for 100% completing Kirby and the Forgotten Land?
Upon achieving 100% completion, you unlock a splash screen featuring Kirby and other characters. Additionally, your save data icon will change to a winking and rainbow-colored Kirby.
8. What is the strongest copy ability in Kirby and the Forgotten Land?
While opinions may vary, the Morpho Knight Sword is considered one of the strongest copy abilities in the game due to its high power and rapid-fire capabilities. The Masked Hammer Copy Ability is also extremely powerful.
9. How long does it take to 100% complete Kirby and the Forgotten Land?
Completing the main story takes around 10.5 hours, while achieving 100% completion typically requires about 26 hours of gameplay.
10. Who is the hardest boss in Kirby and the Forgotten Land?
Fecto Elfilis, the final boss of the main story, is generally considered the hardest boss in the game, followed closely by Morpho Knight.
11. What is the best age for playing Kirby and the Forgotten Land?
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is rated suitable for ages 7 and over, making it accessible to a wide range of players.
12. Are there any cheat codes for Kirby and the Forgotten Land?
Yes, there are several secret codes that can be redeemed in the game for various rewards, such as Star Coins and Rare Stones. Examples include “BRAWLINGCOLOSSEUM”, “CLEARDEMO”, and “FIRSTPASSWORD”.
13. What is the best way to collect Leon’s Soul Pieces?
To collect Leon’s Soul Pieces, thoroughly explore each level in the Forgo Dreams area. Look for hidden pathways, complete challenges, and defeat all enemies.
14. What is Kirby’s origin story for the pink color?
Sakurai intended the character to be pink, though Miyamoto had originally thought the character should be yellow.
15. Is Kirby a horror game?
No, Kirby is not a horror game, however, the game does contain dark undertones and the eldritch nature of some villains.