Even though the Kirby franchise has been around for three decades, it has never truly experimented with true 3D gameplay. This changed with the release of Kirby and the Forgotten Land this year. Apparently, the team nailed it, but that does not imply that transforming Kirby from 2D to 3D was a straightforward operation.
Shinya Kumazaki and Tatsuya Kamiyama discussed the creation of Kirby and the Forgotten Land in a recent interview with the Japanese magazine Nintendo Dream. Additionally, designer Yuki Endo was present for the conversation.
If Kirby and the Forgotten Land failed to meet expectations, according to Kamiyama, the team may not have another opportunity to develop a 3D game for a considerable amount of time. Endo further said that, at least initially, “there were several voices of skepticism inside the organization.” However, Kumazaki and Kamiyama pushed for 3D, and HAL concluded that it would be possible to complete the project after the first development phase.
Pressure to succeed
Kamiyama: For sure! There was a tremendous amount of pressure that we cannot get this wrong. We felt that if this project failed, it would be a long time before we got the opportunity to collaborate with HAL Laboratory on another 3D game, so we were ecstatic that it was a success.
Kumazaki: Of course, our personnel is always dedicated to their job, but we understood that this was an ideal chance. We believed we had the capacity to do the task; we simply needed a chance. The preparations that HAL Laboratory had made with games like as Star Allies were complete, and it began to seem as though this was something we had been waiting to undertake!
Kamiyama: We began with our accumulated knowledge in 3D action games, such as Kirby’s Blowout Blast on the Nintendo 3DS, and received valuable insight as the game’s director. We were able to get a solid understanding of what large-scale development would entail as a result of these experiences. This, in turn, served as the foundation for the subsequent development.
Endo: When we originally began developing the game, there were many skeptics inside the firm who said, “Can we truly create a 3D action Kirby game?” But amid the voices of “Let’s create the next game 2D as well,” Kumazaki and Kamiyama argued in favor of 3D. While wondering, “Can we really accomplish this?” we created the first few photos, after which I realized, “Yes, we can!” When designing the remainder of the game, we made sure to keep in mind that fantastic sensation of knowing we can achieve it.
Rationale behind the creation of the levels
Endo: When I was suddenly tasked with creating a 3D action game, I had no notion what was or was not doable. So I began by contemplating how Kirby interacts with a 2D environment, analyzing each method individually, and pondering: “If I created this 3D, how would it come out?” But if we just converted these 2D pieces to 3D, nothing would truly change, so we examined each point individually and began enhancing them to operate in 3D.
Not a simple 2D to 3D conversion?
Endo: Even if we were able to convert it to 3D, there remained the notion that action games are not usually seen positively at the moment. To build a game where the player could explore the universe as they advanced, we designed vast stages while retaining the concept of completing 3D levels. By setting the opener on a wide stage, we were able to portray the excitement of the whole game.
About Kirby and the Forgotten Land
In a wonderful 3D platforming game, join Kirby on an exciting voyage through a mystery realm. Take control of the mighty pink puffball Kirby and freely navigate 3D levels as you explore a fascinating environment filled with abandoned monuments from an ancient civilisation – a shopping mall? Utilize enemy powers such as Sword and Ice to strike and explore your surroundings! What adventures await Kirby? Take a deep breath and prepare for an experience of a lifetime!
