LiveStudioAudience
Smash Master
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2019
- Messages
- 4,485
Just finished off DKC1 on SNES online, and have 100% the trilogy as a result. Couple of general observations as its been a while since I've done a full playthrough.
The first game is the one that does very natural landscapes best, possibly even better than 2. A lot of that is rooted in 1 being so tied to a sense of reality vs. the Mario games at the time, but in stuff like Forest Frenzy there's a vibrant legitimacy to the backgrounds and aesthetics. Ironically its what makes Fear Factory stand out all the more because its a big batch of industrial settings after being an nature based game until then. Fairly effective in selling the pollution motif of that overall world, and making it all the more unique.
Second, it definitely feels like the Sonic 2 of the SNES games in the sense that its all about that kinetic momentum via speed with the exploration not being quite as prominent or interesting. DKC2 is the more balanced Sonic 3 & Knuckles entry that doesn't stress any one element and Dixie's Double Trouble rounds it out as the Sonic CD esque of sequel with exploration emphasis alongside gimmicks. It definitely does reinforce earlier observations that DKC1 is essentially Rare's take on the speedy platformer.
Third its notable how much Chimp Caverns still feel like a bit of let down in comparison to the distinct nature of the other worlds. The design is fine, but as a result of its motifs already being introduced it can't help but feel like more of the same. Its hard to say what it should have been especially given the deadline they were on, but after such a solid high note of Kremroc Industries Inc, it just seems a bit blah as a result.
Finally having gone through all the bonus levels, I have to apologize to DKC2 for saying its bonus rooms are esoteric because they have nothing on the wacky experiments you have to do in 1. Jumping in bottomless pits, always holding barrels near walls to see if they break, and a lot of repeated feelings of "How exactly was I supposed to know that?" Its all forgivable given it was the first game and essentially everything related to bonus rooms (variety, location, progress rewards) was essentially Rare getting its feet wet with the concept.
The big question I had going in was whether or not it was better than 3. And having finished I have to give the slight edge to the latter. While I do think the original is more enjoyable to look at and does lend itself to replays if you're not going for bonus rooms, the lack of depth in comparison to DKC3 just can't be ignored. Donkey Kong Country is still great, but it still needed the fleshing out that DKC2 and beyond gave it to make it something really special.
The first game is the one that does very natural landscapes best, possibly even better than 2. A lot of that is rooted in 1 being so tied to a sense of reality vs. the Mario games at the time, but in stuff like Forest Frenzy there's a vibrant legitimacy to the backgrounds and aesthetics. Ironically its what makes Fear Factory stand out all the more because its a big batch of industrial settings after being an nature based game until then. Fairly effective in selling the pollution motif of that overall world, and making it all the more unique.
Second, it definitely feels like the Sonic 2 of the SNES games in the sense that its all about that kinetic momentum via speed with the exploration not being quite as prominent or interesting. DKC2 is the more balanced Sonic 3 & Knuckles entry that doesn't stress any one element and Dixie's Double Trouble rounds it out as the Sonic CD esque of sequel with exploration emphasis alongside gimmicks. It definitely does reinforce earlier observations that DKC1 is essentially Rare's take on the speedy platformer.
Third its notable how much Chimp Caverns still feel like a bit of let down in comparison to the distinct nature of the other worlds. The design is fine, but as a result of its motifs already being introduced it can't help but feel like more of the same. Its hard to say what it should have been especially given the deadline they were on, but after such a solid high note of Kremroc Industries Inc, it just seems a bit blah as a result.
Finally having gone through all the bonus levels, I have to apologize to DKC2 for saying its bonus rooms are esoteric because they have nothing on the wacky experiments you have to do in 1. Jumping in bottomless pits, always holding barrels near walls to see if they break, and a lot of repeated feelings of "How exactly was I supposed to know that?" Its all forgivable given it was the first game and essentially everything related to bonus rooms (variety, location, progress rewards) was essentially Rare getting its feet wet with the concept.
The big question I had going in was whether or not it was better than 3. And having finished I have to give the slight edge to the latter. While I do think the original is more enjoyable to look at and does lend itself to replays if you're not going for bonus rooms, the lack of depth in comparison to DKC3 just can't be ignored. Donkey Kong Country is still great, but it still needed the fleshing out that DKC2 and beyond gave it to make it something really special.
Last edited: