Yoshi’s Woolly World is undeniably cute. It’s so cute that it’s in danger of requiring cuteness reduction surgery. It’s adorable; so much so that while playing at E3, Shane Wall (Stevivor’s Podcast Editor) and I were fawning harder than a grandma over her newborn grandchild.
We — two grown men in their late 20’s who’d been raised on a steady diet of Arnold Schwarzenegger films, The Simpsons and a wide variety of murder simulators — were making noises usually reserved for that magical moment when puppies first open their eyes or baby horses take their first steps. This is Nintendo at their most powerful and artful — nay, at their greatest — and goddamnit I loved every second of it. Yoshi stole my heart at E3 and if you let him, he’ll steal yours too.
Yoshi’s Woolly World — yes, even the title is the sweetest thing ever — is part of the Yoshi’s Island and Story family of games, so gameplay will be instantly recognisable to anyone who’s played those titles. Yoshi can use his tongue to lick up enemies, jewels and flowers. Upon eating enemies, rather than turning them into an egg, Yoshi turns them into a ball of yarn. These yarn balls can then be used to tie up other enemies, fill in new areas of the levels and create platforms for Yoshi to stand on. Yarn balls are also used to clear obstacles and create a path for Yoshi through the world.
This is but one example of how the woollen nature of the world isn’t simply aesthetic. It’s built into the very way the game plays. Finding stray threads throughout the levels, Yoshi is able to lick them, unravel the surrounding knitting and reveal huge secret areas filled with goodies. The way in which the secret areas are unveiled is utterly charming as Yoshi keeps pulling the loose thread until — like a cartoon sweater — the whole thing falls apart in front of your eyes.
Other abilities returning from previous Yoshi games include the flutter jump and ground pound, both of which are accompanied by those Yoshi sounds you know and love. New abilities included in Woolly World are a speedy set of wheels in place of legs and being able to create platforms made of cloud. When Yoshi moves uninterrupted for a short distance, his legs morph into wheels and he starts to move at a faster speed. He’s also able to collect baby chicks which, when thrown leave a trail of cloud behind that he’s able to climb on. A second Yoshi is able to join in on the action in Woolly World, enabling players to eat each other and throw the other player. Throwing your friend can be used just like the balls of yarn and also to access otherwise unreachable locations.
As a Yoshi game, Woolly World is expectedly easy. We did only get to experience the first handful of levels on offer, but they were a breeze. Mega hard platforming action has never been what Yoshi is all about though. It’s a gentle, heartwarming and relaxing romp through a brightly coloured, mostly safe after school cartoon. There’s always the minor threat of danger, but nothing that’s really going to cause to much trouble. This is a game for young and old alike. Kids will love it for the look, the sound and the cuteness. Adults will love it, well, for exactly the same reasons, plus one other big one. Nostalgia. Just like Mario before him, Yoshi is now so well ingrained in many gamers pasts that simply booting up Woolly World will cause them to fall instantly in love.
As with Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, Woolly World cares not for the industry’s current obsession with photorealism and drab brown worlds. This is Nintendo unleashing all the colours of the rainbow in wool form, then sitting backing and watching as everyone becomes enthralled. And you better believe it’s enthralling. Never before has Yoshi been so alive, so animated and so heart breakingly cute. It’s not just the colours and cuteness though, the game is filled with little graphical details and flourishes that make it all the more gorgeous.
If you look closely at everything you’ll see light fuzz around the edges, as if the wool has been manipulated and touched over time. When Yoshi enters a pipe he turns into a pile of woollen strings and then reassembles himself on the other side. When he flutter jumps his legs turn into a propeller made of wool. I could go on and on, but rest assured everything in Woolly World has been designed to make you go “awwwwww.”
It’s not coming out until 2015, but Yoshi’s Woolly World is definitely a game to watch for the Wii U faithful. Fun, bright and a showcase for the creativity and imagination Nintendo always puts into its games, Woolly World is just darling.
Yoshi’s Woolly World will be available exclusively for Wii U in 2015.
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