The second Kirby game to be
released on GameBoy Advance, Kirby Magic Mirror (Title
likely to change) is one of the most unique and different
Kirby games so far. The story involves a sort of parallel
universe in which some evil force has gained entrance to the
normal universe and things are just all over flip flopped.
Meta Knight has a strong role in the game, as you learn
later that your quest entails actually to some extent
helping him.
The
neatest and newest feature - Kirby has a cell phone and can
call on his friends when he needs help in a predicament!
There are 9
areas in the game, and you must go about unlocking each
area by reaching them through certain paths. For example,
in Area 2, you can easily access Area 9. While out of
order, it adds to the challenge and difficulty of the
game. Some rooms will only allow you to go in one
direction, and this can be difficult finding your way
around until you find the Area Map. Once the map is found,
you can work out the maze and set out to visit every room.
For people looking for the quickest ending, can just find
the maps and seek out the bosses. For those of us who
enjoy that 100% notch on our game saves, you'll find a
heap of items to find and collect. Spray cans, CD players
and music scores (opens the sound test) and life-extending
hearts are not only cool to pick up, they add to your
percent rating.
While keeping the Kirby:
Nightmare in Dreamland feel, Magic Mirror goes beyond with
many room levels, enemies, abilities and bosses. Some old
foes, but a lot of new. As for abilities, there are a lot of
the Adventure/Nightmare abilities but a quite a few cool
ones as well. Missile, Angel, Magic, Shrink and Smash Bros.
are a few, and not to mention the Super Star ability - Cook!
The bosses are fresh - all new except two! A first for a
Kirby game. As for the mini-bosses, there are three you'll
recognize and four new ones.
The graphics are exceptional,
as was Nightmare, but the elements and themes in each Area
gives the game a seamless and colorful feel.
There is one
main Area (Rainbow Route) which after completing each
area, you will come back to. You also have the ability to
use your cell phone to call on a warp star to take you
back to this main room should you meet a unpleasant
situation. You also have to your advantage, three eager
and hyper friends who will help if you just give them a
call. There are some situations you may need them, and
others just for an extra hand. They can be extremely
helpful, or missing in action. This does not mean the game
is 4 player however, you'll find they are CPU controlled
with a mind(s) of their own.
For the avid
Kirby fan who picks up a Kirby game and absorbs it
quickly, this game is probably second to Super Star in
difficulty and playability. The levels have a Great Cave
Offensive feel, yet it is definitely much harder in terms
of being a maze. For experienced players, this game might
be comfortable and surprising for Kirby, who has picked up
a notorious rap in the past for having somewhat
unchallenging titles.
As for extras, there
are three mini-games accessible from the menu, and
unfortunately not stumbled upon in the game itself. The
closest 'mini-game' in the actual game is the goals, which
also aren't given to you easily - you must seek them out!
The
mini-games are similar in style to Kirby games of the
past. One game has four hungry puffballs surrounded by a
gourmet platter, and once the platter cover is removed,
the fastest player to inhale gets the apples (or bombs!).
Very similar to Quick draw. Another game is the surfing
game, which is challenging and similar to Air Grind. Last
but not least is Gigaton Punch, similar to yep, Megaton
Punch from Superstar.
...and if you can figure out
how, you'll get the Arena in which you can face off
which every mini-boss and boss in the game. Not too easy!
Other extras include
(when you find them) picking up color sprays to color your
playing Kirby with, the musical scores to unlock the sound
test and the heart meters to make your gameplay vitality
increase.
Kirby Magic
Mirror is fun and very challenging. Maybe more challenging
than you are used to, but finally it's a portable Kirby
game that you won't beat in one sitting (unless that
sitting happens to exceed a high number of hours). While
the Kirby series was feared to be loosing it's touch, this
game swerved it right back on track with all the elements
of a Kirby game that won't disappoint!
