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Why all the praise for DKTF
- Thread starter Jindrax
- Start date
I always found the effusive praise for this game to be unwarranted. It's a solid 2D platformer, but nothing about it really puts it ahead of any number of other solid 2D platformers out there (except maybe the music).
All the "GOAT" stuff is like an GAF/Era meme. I can't claim to have taken stock of every gaming forum on the internet, but it's really only here that I've seen people that head over heels in love with it.
All the "GOAT" stuff is like an GAF/Era meme. I can't claim to have taken stock of every gaming forum on the internet, but it's really only here that I've seen people that head over heels in love with it.
For me the WiiU version of DKTF left a sour taste. The loading times were really bad, like 30 seconds bad. The boss difficulty spikes drifted into not-fun-anymore territory for me too. I finished the Switch version and liked it much better. RO had perfect pacing and snappy load times from start to finish. DKTF has better music, but thats it. I prefer gameplay over music and visuals.
Absolutely brilliant level design, fantastic music, and just feels really good to play. Of course, it does have its flaws--co-op in the game isn't very well handled and I do think the boss fights are a bit long, but other than that it's wonderful.
Sounds like you almost already have a negative outlook on the game just because of the praise. In this case it's well deserved. It was my favorite gaming experience of 2014 and one of the very best platformers ever made. The level design, variety, difficulty, art design, and music are all perfect imo.
I've talked about this before, but I don't like Tropical Freeze very much. Personal rating of 4/10. Great production values, but I don't find it fun to play at all.
NSMBU is super bland in comparison, but it's a lot more fun to play.
NSMBU is super bland in comparison, but it's a lot more fun to play.
Eh, I don't know if I'd agree it eclipsed Diddy's Kong Quest. That game had everything Tropical Freeze has going for it (great music, gameplay, level design, etc.) AND a really fucking awesome "theme". That's the one thing I find Tropical Freeze lacking, is a cool setting/theme. It's kind of just par-for-the-course Jungle.
It's not even just that. Rayman's stage theming and set pieces simply don't tell an environmental story like DK games do. The series excelled in this even back in the SNES days, but with the freedom to actually add a bunch of one-off background details and animations, the bar just got sent to the stratosphere.
A super memorable example of this in Tropical Freeze is the beginning of the Bright Savannah world: you start amid a full-blown animal carnival in Grassland Groove, then a tornado comes in Frantic Fields, and you finally get to witness the end result in Scorch 'n' Torch. It's genuinely heartbreaking, and with zero lines of dialogue.
It's really damn good. I typically hate 2D platformers, and even dislike the original DKC games, but Tropical Freeze was so well crafted, so well designed, that even the most frustrating bits that killed me made me go "just one more try" every single time. It's just way too much fun.
Do they really say that, though? I've seen people say the game is better than DKC2 (I personally disagree), but as far as soundtrack, not so much.
DKC2 might have my favorite soundtrack of all time, bar none. It's just insane.
It's a fantastic platformer, but one of the only things that sets it apart from the other greats is how creative the level and world design are. Each area of the game doesn't just feel like a set of platforms, but a cohesive area that could actually exist. That's the genius and beauty of it. Everything else is A+ great from the controls to the music.
Seeing this makes me want to get it again on Switch. I wonder if Funky Kong will make it easy enough for my kids to play. I remember the base Wii-U game being tough even for me.
In my opinion, Tropical Freeze is an excellent platformer; however,
1. Outside of technical prowess, it is not very ambitious and does nothing to push the genre forward in comparison with the 2D platformers of the SNES era
2. It wouldn't make Nintendo's all-time top five 2D platformers
3. Graphics aren't everything
4. The lack of online co-op is disgraceful.
1. Outside of technical prowess, it is not very ambitious and does nothing to push the genre forward in comparison with the 2D platformers of the SNES era
2. It wouldn't make Nintendo's all-time top five 2D platformers
3. Graphics aren't everything
4. The lack of online co-op is disgraceful.
Actually I think the original reviews in 2014 undersold the game. It should have gotten strong GOTY consideration and was dismissed by many as a pretty 2D platformer.
But it was actually pretty innovative, with some of the best worlds/levels I've seen in a platfomer. On top of that its beautiful in terms of graphics and art direction and the music is beyond top notch.
The only knock on it for me in 2014 was that the challenge of the game may have locked some players out of experiencing a good part of the game. Nintendo remedied that though with the Switch release.
But it was actually pretty innovative, with some of the best worlds/levels I've seen in a platfomer. On top of that its beautiful in terms of graphics and art direction and the music is beyond top notch.
The only knock on it for me in 2014 was that the challenge of the game may have locked some players out of experiencing a good part of the game. Nintendo remedied that though with the Switch release.
It's good. It's not the masterwork people make it out to be in part because the levels go on forever but it's worth checking out.
I've been playing Tropical Freeze on the WiiU. It's fun, but sometimes the difficulty is a little uneven.
Take Mountain Mania (2-2) for example. One of the checkpoints has DK destroying a statue that spits hot lava everywhere, which he then has to run away from.
It felt like a really odd difficulty spike. I'd be going along, thinking that I'm doing okay, but then suddenly I'd get sniped in the back by a flying rock. Also there aren't any sidekick barrels in that section, so if I take a hit and lose the rhino, I can't use the Kong Roll to recover.
I lost more lives on that section than the entirety of world 1.
Oh and way too many collectibles.
Take Mountain Mania (2-2) for example. One of the checkpoints has DK destroying a statue that spits hot lava everywhere, which he then has to run away from.
It felt like a really odd difficulty spike. I'd be going along, thinking that I'm doing okay, but then suddenly I'd get sniped in the back by a flying rock. Also there aren't any sidekick barrels in that section, so if I take a hit and lose the rhino, I can't use the Kong Roll to recover.
I lost more lives on that section than the entirety of world 1.
Yeah this is annoying too.
Oh and way too many collectibles.
But
A) It only actually gets wintery in the last world or two and
B) That's just not nearly as cool as the stuff in Diddy's Kong Quest
I would love to see Retro make another entry where they get weird with the settings. Kong Quest had the pirate world, the carnival, the ice caves, etc. It was just awesomesauce.
DKTF has really astounding level and sound design. The presentation is top notch and it's overflowing with clever, well-executed ideas. At the same time, it is so imprecise I have not been able to enjoy it. Hit detection is all sorts of whack. Sometimes you're struck by objects 20 pixels away from your character model. For that alone it feels horrifically overrated as a platformer. It's got a great sense of humor and it's enjoyable to watch. I've played about half the game now and just can't feel it. Celeste, N++, Meat Boy—these indie games absolutely nail precision in a way that DKTF can't. I love them. I find myself pulled toward them whenever I want to play a platformer. DKTF looks so good, and yet I find it so unfun to play.
If i remember correctly there was even a poll in here (or gaf).
Something about the snes audio chip incapable of something...
I still think that the ost in dk2 is far superior to anything inside tropic freeze, but it's just me.
The music first of all is simply amazing and easily one of the best game soundtracks of all time.
The art and graphics are also both really nice looking.
The level design is super inspired and the game controls very well.
That about covers it.
The art and graphics are also both really nice looking.
The level design is super inspired and the game controls very well.
That about covers it.
I think it should. If you play in Funky Mode with Funky its much easier. There is still no protection from falls, but you get more health and Funky can land on spikes and hang in the air longer.
If you play Funky Mode with Donkey Kong, I think that pretty much replicates what would be a 'Normal' mode on most platformers (essentially just a bit more health but all the same challenges and feel).
My recommendation is let your kids play with Funky and you play with Donkey Kong in Funky mode if you were frustrated by the challenge of the first.
It is a pretty damn good game, with an stellar soundtrack. The praise is more than deserved.
Psh. This is the only platformer where I'm disappointed to reach the end. Every level is a delightful, gorgeous splendor that feels as fun to play as it is beautiful to look at and listen to.
It's more than earned its place as one of the best platformers ever made.
There's a reason the phrase "GOAT" gets thrown around with it. For me it rivals/competes with Mario 3 and Mario World. It's in the conversation.
^^^regarding the post above I have to agree. The levels are maybe a bit longer than other platformers but because everything is so well done you don't really want them to end.
^^^regarding the post above I have to agree. The levels are maybe a bit longer than other platformers but because everything is so well done you don't really want them to end.
It has one of my favorite levels of all time... ever!
This! (and also some of the fruit levels) I remember having a huge grin playing this and just marveled at it. And its pretty but that was a case of being blown away by art direction + music + level design.
it's one of the best 2D platformers of all time, I guess is the main thrust of the praise
GOAT-tier controls. the weight and heft of controlling DK is so satisfying. the roll jump may be one of the most satisfying moves in any platformer. it actually plays better with the analog stick, which is wild. it actually has satisfying underwater controls, thanks to the analog stick, which is also wild. you go from feeling like you're controlling a big block of concrete to feeling like you're controlling Sonic once you've built momentum.
GOAT-tier OST. David Wise unshackled from the restraints of a sound chip. quantity. quality. many different genres. varied instrumentation to match each world. great individual performances. great compositions that subtly build during their run time. happy. sad. industrial. somber. funky. rollicking. all the adjectives. all of them.
GOAT-tier world design. World 2 and 5 are among the best platformer worlds of all time. the progression is amazing, each level plays a part in the overall narrative of the world. the way you ascend the mountain in World 2, the way that's conveyed in the levels and on the world map, the way each level picks up where the previous left off. same with World 5 though instead of ascending a mountain you're going through a factory that's whole purpose is to make popsicles for a polar bear. just great stuff.
GOAT-tier level design. so many great levels (legitimately almost every single one of them), so many great gimmicks, so many instances where those gimmicks blend together in a level creating some really nice and varied platforming segments, the way those gimmicks tie into the theme of the level and world making them easy to understand, and also how each level is perfectly tuned for slow paced exploration heavy playthroughs as well as speed runs.
the game feels like it was made in an alternate timeline where AAA gaming never moved away from 2D platformers
it's simply masterful
so yeah, I think that's about where the praise comes from
GOAT-tier controls. the weight and heft of controlling DK is so satisfying. the roll jump may be one of the most satisfying moves in any platformer. it actually plays better with the analog stick, which is wild. it actually has satisfying underwater controls, thanks to the analog stick, which is also wild. you go from feeling like you're controlling a big block of concrete to feeling like you're controlling Sonic once you've built momentum.
GOAT-tier OST. David Wise unshackled from the restraints of a sound chip. quantity. quality. many different genres. varied instrumentation to match each world. great individual performances. great compositions that subtly build during their run time. happy. sad. industrial. somber. funky. rollicking. all the adjectives. all of them.
GOAT-tier world design. World 2 and 5 are among the best platformer worlds of all time. the progression is amazing, each level plays a part in the overall narrative of the world. the way you ascend the mountain in World 2, the way that's conveyed in the levels and on the world map, the way each level picks up where the previous left off. same with World 5 though instead of ascending a mountain you're going through a factory that's whole purpose is to make popsicles for a polar bear. just great stuff.
GOAT-tier level design. so many great levels (legitimately almost every single one of them), so many great gimmicks, so many instances where those gimmicks blend together in a level creating some really nice and varied platforming segments, the way those gimmicks tie into the theme of the level and world making them easy to understand, and also how each level is perfectly tuned for slow paced exploration heavy playthroughs as well as speed runs.
the game feels like it was made in an alternate timeline where AAA gaming never moved away from 2D platformers
it's simply masterful
so yeah, I think that's about where the praise comes from
Thanks for the information. I wasn't really frustrated by the first. I think a boss fight and rocket section got me pissed but overall I loved every minute of the game. I think I'll pick it up.
It is a good, solid game.
Personally, I don't like worlds 4 and 5 nor the boss battles.
I don't understand how Retro fucked up the bonus rooms so much in the Returns games. In DKC2, they were unique and related to the level you were playing AND they unlocked a cool new world, now they are generic (even repeating sometimes) and just unlock artwork.
Rayman Legends and NSMBU were better platformers last-gen.
Personally, I don't like worlds 4 and 5 nor the boss battles.
I don't understand how Retro fucked up the bonus rooms so much in the Returns games. In DKC2, they were unique and related to the level you were playing AND they unlocked a cool new world, now they are generic (even repeating sometimes) and just unlock artwork.
Rayman Legends and NSMBU were better platformers last-gen.
It has some of the most smoothest controls in a 2D platformer and the underwater levels are very fluid and forgiving. You can make some right turns underwater.
Add in the great aquatic ambience music that plays in the background and that enhances the water levels.
The game is a marriage of good level design, fun bosses and great music in a colorful art style.
And the game stays fresh by having different abilities based on your partners.
Add in the great aquatic ambience music that plays in the background and that enhances the water levels.
The game is a marriage of good level design, fun bosses and great music in a colorful art style.
And the game stays fresh by having different abilities based on your partners.
Its the best 2D platformer ever, that was overlooked on the WiiU and are overly praised by people who actually played it.
I didn't like either of the DKCR games as much as the DKC games on SNES. Both felt very boring and plain and at times frustrating. The original DKC games were way more fun to play and explore. I guess the DKCR games are just missing something that Rare had with the originals.
Clever mechanics that are used in genius combinations and contextualized brilliantly. It's the GOAT 2D platformer.
It is a bummer that every island is standalone. I wish more games would take the DKC2 / Sonic 3&K approach of making the whole game feel like one big adventure.
Even though I loved his work on Action Button dot net i agree that he has come a long way.
He is a much better writer now that he has embraced the fact that he is a professional games writer rather than a mere hobbyist writer. Some of his reviews, like the ones for the recent musous, show a strong desire for him to understand and appreciate the appeal of genres he previously only ever derided. His criticisms always feel valid to me and often touch on things other reviewers don't, at least in a way that is easier to comprehend. I appreciate his angle on game design as a reviewer who has actually worked on a lot of games, especially stuff like how games grant feedback, impart information and the psychology of UI.
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