Kirby's Epic Yarn
Review

Kirby's Epic Yarn (2010) is a running and jumping game starring Nintendo's Kirby character who can absorb enemies to gain their abilities and powers. It's set in Patch Land, a world made completely out of fabric. You use your platforming skills to collect seven pieces of magic yarn that are used to stitch Patch Land back together.

Play is the usual running, jumping and stomping on enemies. Only here both protagonist and baddies are made of yarn, fabric, and other craft materials. Instead of being able to inhale enemies or fly, you can morph into other objects to gain new abilities: a parachute, a car, and a submarine, as well as larger objects such as a tank and a steam train.

Kirby can move faster by turning into automotive vehicles while on the ground, and he transforms into a submarine when going underwater. Some levels feature special transformations that give Kirby unique abilities, like the missile-launching tank, a fire truck and a steam train.

Each stage is completed by getting to the exit on the right. But along the way, your task is to collect beads to gain one of four different ranking medals (wood, bronze, silver or gold). The beads can be used to purchase furniture and wallpaper for Kirby's apartment between levels. If you get hit by enemies you lose your beads but you can't ever completely die.

A 3DS version of the game, Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn, was released in 2019. This introduced a new difficulty level, Devilish Mode that makes it possible to die and have to restart the level. At the same time, even on Devilish Mode, the 3DS version makes things easier with new ravel abilities to help you on your way. It also offered Amiibo support, as using any Kirby-related Amiibo figure will grant players new hats and abilities. It was re-released digitally on the Wii U and followed up with Yoshi's Woolly World and Yoshi's Crafted World

Our examiner, Jo Robertson, first checked Kirby's Epic Yarn 2 years ago. It was re-examined by Andy Robertson and updated 10 weeks ago.