The difficulty of the recent Kirby and the Forgotten Land has generated a debate that has not created indifference: Are the character games intended for adults? Although the reception of the title has been extremely positive and both critics and users have not stopped praising it, there is a sector that points to the low challenge of the adventure. Even in its highest difficulty, the proposal for Nintendo Switch is a “walk” that will not cause us many headaches. For many, this is part of the essence of the character, created with the intention of being a fun challenge for all types of audiences. However, for others, including the most recent game director of the characterIt is time to take a step forward.
Tatsuya Kamiyama wants Kirby games to catch on with adults
On the occasion of the launch of Kirby and the Forgotten Landfour members of the team starred the fourth volume of Ask the Developer. This series, dedicated to unraveling anecdotes and curiosities about developments and franchises, featured on this occasion Kei Nimoyima (producer), Shinya Kumazaki (director general de HAL Laboratory), Tatsuya Kamiyama (director of HAL Laboratory and of Kirby and the Forgotten Land) y Yuki Endo (Head of Level Design at HAL Laboratory). Due to his relationship with the new installment of the pink ball, he soon came to the fore the possible future of the license.
As stated by Kamiyama, the game’s director, “some people consider Kirby they are for younger users.” Since its inception, the general perception of the series is what Kamiyama refers to. However, the creative considers that, due to its conception and ideas, the new installment is “a title that players of a wide age range can enjoy”. If we add to this the intention of the director, that he wants the games of Kirby also entertain adults, we can start to theorize about the direction of the series.
Although some do not know it, Kirby has one of the most complex stories in the Nintendo universe. The lore of his adventures is so broad and extensive that, from the beginning, he has presented us with deities, monsters and cosmic beings with powers that the mind cannot understand. However, due to its aesthetics and playability, many users have mistakenly considered that they were proposals focused on a more childish audience. For Kamiyama and the rest of HAL Laboratory, it is important that this idea will change with future releases of the franchise.
A console for all types of users
At the end of 2021, Nintendo shared a piece of information that is as interesting as it is relevant. In the report published by the Japanese firm we could see the age range of Switch gamers thanks to a graphic that surprised many. Although popular belief usually points out that the hybrid is a console for the smallest of the house, the Big N showed that its bulk of players is between twenty and thirty. In this way, Nintendo is pending the demand of a group that, in addition to being the majority, is capable of buying titles for itself.
As you can see, although part of the public of the system in children, the vast majority are over twenty years old. This, in other words, implies that Nintendo intends to create games that, as those involved in Kirby, satisfy the wishes of adults. However, this does not imply that your adventures will take on a darker tone or have a shorter duration. At the moment, beyond Kamiyama’s wishes, the future plans they will have after Kirby y the forgotten landa game that dazzled us.
And you, Would you like the pink ball license to take on a more adult tone? How do you think HAL Laboratory and Nintendo could deal with that idea? We read you in the comments.
