Review: YOSHI'S CRAFTED WORLD is Delightfully Adorable with Plenty of Challenges
When Yoshi’s Crafted World was announced for the Nintendo Switch, it looked really cute. Of course I was going to get it when it came out. I downloaded the demo a couple weeks ago to get a taste for the game and it was fun. There were some aspects I was worried about, but now that I’ve played the full game, those are all but gone.
What do I love about Crafted World? Well, for starters, everything is adorable. The characters and the set pieces are all made to look like a kid and their parent made them. I think Yoshi’s Wooly World was cuter, but this is still very cute. Yoshi is made of felt, a lot of set pieces are cardboard, and the creativity of everything is fantastic.
Another thing that was great about the game is that it does challenge you from the get-go. The first level is very straightforward and isn’t challenging except getting the final flower threw me for a loop. However, the levels quickly scale to keep it challenging, yet rewarding for players. I was honestly worried that the game was going to be too easy, but it has proven that it can get quite difficult and I just barely got the first gem.
Third, a new feature is the introduction of costumes. These are adorable things like a cardboard box, pirate ship, or car that Yoshi carries with him throughout the levels. On top of being hecking adorable, these costumes give Yoshi some armor. Depending on the costume, I’ve seen it range from being able to take 3-5 hits before it goes away and Yoshi actually takes damage. Now, you don’t have to use a costume, but it’s another fun little flair to use and up the cuteness. Also, if you have amiibo, you can use those to give your Yoshi different costumes.
This game is not perfect though. Like other Yoshi games I’ve played, the story is not very complex or involved. Yes, it’s sad that the Yoshis lost the gems and Bowser Jr. is a jerk, but it feels generic since that seems to be the exact same plot as other Yoshi games.
An aspect that is both great and not so great is the interaction with the background and foreground. Being able to launch eggs at set pieces in the back or Shy Guys in the front adds another dimension of fun and challenge. It is often used well for getting red coins, bonus coins, or other goodies. However, it made me feel like I had to stop frequently to check if I was missing something in the background or foreground. A lot of the items you interact with are just simple things like bushes, clouds, and seagulls, but not all of those things actually have something for you. I’m sure as I continue playing I’ll better learn how to discriminate, but it is something that can get annoying at times.
Overall, Yoshi’s Crafted World is adorable and more importantly fun. I’ve only gotten the first gem, but there’s plenty of replay value as I go back and get all the flowers and collectibles. Plus, they’ve introduced a new mode for all levels where you can play it in reverse to collect Poochys. I would highly recommend this game for kids and adults who love Yoshi.
GeekTyrant Score: 9/10