“Kirby’s Epic Yarn” for the Wii can be summed up in one simple word – delightful. In his latest adventure, the pink puffball is swept up out of Dreamland and into the entirely fabric-based universe of Patchland. The landscape is cloth, the characters are yarn, the platforms are stitching and the bosses are buttons and string. While this may seem like a tacky gimmick, it is imaginatively executed. The world is colorful and creative, and unraveling waddle-dees is sure to put a smile on your face.

With its creative theme, “Epic Yarn” also represents a significant departure from the series’ roots. The biggest change is the loss of Kirby’s signature ability to inhale enemies and copy their powers. Also gone is his floating ability, with the rationale that a Kirby made of yarn couldn’t hold any air.

Kirby’s pliable nature is not entirely lost, as he is able to transform at will into objects such as bricks and cars. He can still float to a degree by turning into a parachute, but in both cases, the effect is not the same.
The main combat mechanism is now a yarn whip, used to either unravel enemies or roll them up into projectiles. The whip also lets Kirby swing from buttons, tear open patches and generally manipulate the fabric of his new universe.

It must be noted that “Epic Yarn” is not a hard game. The life bars and Maxim Tomatoes of old are gone in favor of a new system: complete immortality. That’s right, the puffy pink protagonist cannot die, which makes playing “Epic Yarn” a bit like going bowling with the bumpers up. Damage from enemies causes Kirby to lose collectible gems, but it doesn’t really matter. The gems are only useful in the over-world, a home base area similar to that of Paper Mario, but lacking in depth. Players can decorate Kirby’s apartment and buy new tracks to play as background music, but overall it is a tacked-on feature that will entice few gamers.

The game also comes equipped with a two-player mode. While this is usually a poor choice for platforms, “Epic Yarn” pulls it off fairly well. Kirby is joined by his fuzzy companion Prince Fluff, and the camera follows whichever player is making more progress. This can cause players to get lost and fall off-screen, but lack of mortality makes it a non-issue.

Perhaps the best new feature is the ability to transform into powerful giant forms. At certain points in the game, Kirby will be re-wound into space ships, dolphins, robots, monster trucks and more. These provide a nice break from the action, and riding a snowboarding penguin down Christmas Mountain is hard to beat.

The plot unravels with few surprises. Cut-scenes are narrated as if they were a puppet show, and the simplistic story they spin involves a knitting sorcerer, magical sock portal and a plot to take over Dreamland. The feel of the game is sometimes more childish than adult gamers might like, but with creative enemies, soothing music and inventive gameplay, “Epic Yarn” is more broadly accessible than most kids’ games.

The game’s mechanics are fun, but one has to wonder why they were shoehorned into a Kirby game. Why not create a new protagonist to showcase these yarn-based shenanigans instead of retooling a classic? Kirby’s main ability has always been absorbing powers, and without it the feel of a Kirby game is somehow lost. Fans of platform gaming are sure to enjoy “Kirby’s Epic Yarn,” but those looking for some old-school playtime with Dreamland’s defender may be left with the short string.

Andrew Sheridan can be reached at [email protected].