Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze |OT| Donkey's Got a Brand New Funk

NotLiquid · May 4, 2018

Replaying this game reminds me of a quote Super Bunnyhop did not so long ago about Metal Gear Solid 3's control scheme. If you spend an entire week honing your skills in the game you'll come away wishing more games offered the same amount of depth and layers in their controls. I feel that applies tenfold to Tropical Freeze, especially if you go and look at speedruns of the game.

I truly missed these mechanics. The skill ceiling with this game is unparalleled for a platformer and it's amazing how well they can build obstacles that are ripe for blazing through.

Deleted member 2145 · May 4, 2018

NotLiquid said:
Staying loose on a funky afternoon

hey that's not fair, I'm still at work

ChemicalWorld · May 4, 2018

Gutted, my copy of the game hasn't arrived to my work place via royal mail and it's a bank holiday weekend...

*sigh*

Lord Brady · May 4, 2018

Hecht said:
The name of the game is "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze" - feel free to do whatever after the "|OT|," but we'd like to keep game titles correct.

Yep, will help people searching it later here on the site and from google.

Agni Kai · May 4, 2018

Noppie said:
Get it, it genuinely is one of the best. The Snowmads, the new enemies, are also way better than the Tiki's.

Niceguydan8 said:
The level design is a HUGE step up from Returns in my opinion. I enjoyed Tropical Freeze much moreso than I enjoyed Returns (which I really liked). Tropical Freeze is among the best platformers that I've played.

David Sr. said:
I love Returns but Tropical Freeze is a step beyond in narrative and bestiary, if those are issues you had with the other game.

The world feels a lot more unique (each level has its own atmosphere, not like in DKCR where the ambience changed between worlds, and not between levels) and combines different themes, so you are not playing anymore in the forest, the cave or the beach, but in some autumn bavarian woods, a cheese warehouse under the mountains and some alien ruins in the middle of the ocean, instead.

Also, this time the enemies take everything that made the kremlings great (the association of pirates and crocodiles) and form a cohesive army of viking arctic creatures like walruses and penguins. They have an unique background with their camps and ships through the isles you visit, that have been conquered by them and transformed to suit their needs (for instance, the fruit factory has been turned into an ice cream factory), so they are way more deep than the tikis and they fit the DK universe like a glove.

Temtastic Muns said:
I had my issues with DKC Returns, and while the 3DS port took steps toward alleviating some of those issues, the sequel takes all that was excellent (terrifically designed levels that's chockful of secrets), eliminating most of what was iffy (no more silly blowing mechanic or having to shake your controller to ground pound or roll), and refining everything else. (Better enemy types, a more streamlined challenge, and an infinitely superior soundtrack.) I've always taken to the analogy that Tropical Freeze is DKC2 to Returns' DKC1 in terms of evolutionary step up.

That's it. I'm buying this game today. Like, going out right now.
Thank you guys. You solved ALL of my doubts I had regarding this game. I can't wait to play it now!

David Sr. · May 4, 2018

Temtastic Muns said:
I've always taken to the analogy that Tropical Freeze is DKC2 to Returns' DKC1 in terms of evolutionary step up.

That's a pretty accurate simile, certainly.

KTroopA · May 4, 2018

Just got my copy, excited to play this gem. Is there any HD rumble added?

Hugo Scamander · May 4, 2018

Guys, my game is showing the old 3DS animations instead of the new Switch ones. Weird

Niceguydan8 · May 4, 2018

HugoAnicio said:
Guys, my game is showing the old 3DS animations instead of the new Switch ones. Weird

I believe it does that for Classic Mode. For Funky Mode he will have a Switch.

Skel1ingt0n · May 4, 2018

Now that the sting of Retro working on another 2D side scroller on a system with plenty of such games has started to heal, I think I'm gonna go grab this today. I can't ignore this kind of praise forever.

leng jai · May 4, 2018

This game is surprisingly stunning in docked mode.

Steve McQueen · May 4, 2018

leng jai said:
This game is surprisingly stunning in docked mode.

It sure is although in fast motion the motion blur seems a bit off ( first world mining car level has some double vision on my 4K Samsung KS8000) Tried the WiiU version to compare but it's fine there.

I wonder what's causing this.

Dad · May 4, 2018

Does anyone else's Pro Controller make a loud metallic hum with the HD rumble every time DK makes a big impact on something? Or is my controller just going?

Confused Cheeseburger · May 4, 2018

I was bitter about the price, but man.

Yet another confirmation that the industry got it wrong in 2014 with Shadow of Mordor and Dragon Age when this game existed.

noomi · May 4, 2018

Amazon bringing it for me today, yay!

Shokunin · May 4, 2018

Confused Cheeseburger said:
Yet another confirmation that the industry got it wrong in 2014 with Shadow of Mordor and Dragon Age when this game existed.

Absolutely. We tried to tell them.

drewfonse · May 4, 2018

Confused Cheeseburger said:
I was bitter about the price, but man.

Yet another confirmation that the industry got it wrong in 2014 with Shadow of Mordor and Dragon Age when this game existed.

You ain't lying.

Game of that year.

Have fun, people! I don't have a Switch any more, but there's no denying that that DKTF is a stone cold classic.

Horror · May 4, 2018

Cranky Kong = The original "Old Man Logan" of video games.

Infinity Times Two · May 4, 2018

NotLiquid said:
Staying loose on a funky afternoon

I tend to forget I can actually bring all these HD Nintendo games anywhere.

Switch feels like a luxuary at times.

Deleted member 9135 · May 4, 2018

NeonStars said:
And I think your problem stems from just not liking how it doesn't control like the typical platformer, because the actual controls are super responsive. You have to take into account DKs weight and plan jumps accordingly. .

Yeah two things are true: the controls are responsive and people don't like the mechanics (weight, momentum, etc). The two are unfortunately conflated a lot in these critiques of the game but , semantics aside, it's a critique we understand (and one I also share).

The design isn't typical of most platformers either where weight, momentum, and level memorization are key to keeping speed and reaching a lot of the collectibles. This is a game for years I have wanted to love but don't for these two reasons. Aesthitically it is beautiful as is the OST.

UltraMagnus · May 4, 2018

Apologies if it's been gone over, but I thinking of dropping $$$ for this but are the load times the same as the Wii U version? I found them to be very grating on the Wii U to be honest.

Xtortion · May 4, 2018

UltraMagnus said:
Apologies if it's been gone over, but I thinking of dropping $$$ for this but are the load times the same as the Wii U version? I found them to be very grating on the Wii U to be honest.

They're like twice as fast

Deleted member 3010 · May 4, 2018

UltraMagnus said:
Apologies if it's been gone over, but I thinking of dropping $$$ for this but are the load times the same as the Wii U version? I found them to be very grating on the Wii U to be honest.

Nope, they were improved and the stutters are gone.

lowlifelenny · May 4, 2018

UnnecessaryTodd said:
1. Its far from immediate
2. Its more like braking. You cant actually change direction with any accuracy.

It's true, you can't change direction much. Like you say, it's a commitment. But with practice you'll learn how to time the gap between rolling and jumping to get the trajectory you want, and how to hit the brakes to control your momentum.

He's more SMB1 Mario than SMW Mario, with the added (and logical) factor of weight.

Gunny T Highway · May 4, 2018

I am going to pick up my copy later on today. I will probably play the Funky mode because I want to have an easy time playing this game again (I already completed the Wii U version years ago).

Calamari41 · May 4, 2018

Seik said:
Nope, they were improved and the stutters are gone.

These were literally my only complaints about the original release.

Jonneh · May 4, 2018

David Wise, guys.

Xtortion · May 4, 2018

Jonneh said:
David Wise, guys.

Dat part in Busted Bayou when he bursts in with the sax

Tricky I Shadow · May 4, 2018

Niceguydan8 said:
I believe it does that for Classic Mode. For Funky Mode he will have a Switch.

That's kinda lame. : (

Deleted member 3010 · May 4, 2018

Jonneh said:

FTFY

(Also should be in the OP) :lol

Deleted member 12833 · May 4, 2018

NotLiquid said:
Staying loose on a funky afternoon

dat glare doe

Niceguydan8 · May 4, 2018

Tricky I Shadow said:
That's kinda lame. : (

Well, you can play as DK + crew in Funky mode! From what I understand, the only difference is that you have 6 hearts total (3 with DK and 3 with the companion) as opposed to 4.

Tricky I Shadow · May 4, 2018

Niceguydan8 said:
Well, you can play as DK + crew in Funky mode! From what I understand, the only difference is that you have 6 hearts total (3 with DK and 3 with the companion) as opposed to 4.

No thanks. Original mode all the way!

Super Craig · May 4, 2018

Seik said:
Nope, they were improved and the stutters are gone.

The stutters are still there. Some of the animations only seem to be 30fps as well.

Niceguydan8 · May 4, 2018

Tricky I Shadow said:
No thanks. Original mode all the way!

Hey, I agree, I was just saying that it's still possible!

I might try to mess around with Funky mode just as an aside but I'm right there with you. Original mode all the way.

Tricky I Shadow · May 4, 2018

Niceguydan8 said:
Hey, I agree, I was just saying that it's still possible!

I might try to mess around with Funky mode just as an aside but I'm right there with you. Original mode all the way.

**nods head in agreement**

safety_lite · May 4, 2018

I was on the fence about this, but my buddy and I got the afternoon off and it seems like a great way to kick back with some beers on a Friday.

NotLiquid · May 4, 2018

The bait-and-switch in Horn Top Hop when you see the finish barrel, only for you to get shot into a giant horn that thematically caps off the entire level which was based largely around horns.

Perfection.

Tofer said:
dat glare doe

I was under a modest shade when actually playing so it worked just fine!

Tetra-Grammaton-Cleric · May 4, 2018

leng jai said:
This game is surprisingly stunning in docked mode.

I have a Pro and an X and despite that I am (mostly) satisfied with the visual output of the Switch.

Regardless of it's limitations it has yielded some nice-looking software.

Rogue Agent · May 4, 2018

Is it better to choose the Default control scheme or the Alternate one?

safety_lite · May 4, 2018

Does anyone know how long it takes to play through this?

Tahnit · May 4, 2018

Just started this and got Diddy Kong but can I not switch to him? Also it tells me to do l+r and then they high five but nothing happens?

Deleted member 3010 · May 4, 2018

Tahnit said:
Just started this and got Diddy Kong but can I not switch to him? Also it tells me to do l+r and then they high five but nothing happens?

The high five is a 'POW' like move that kills all enemies on-screen.

Super Craig · May 4, 2018

Rogue Agent said:
Is it better to choose the Default control scheme or the Alternate one?

I prefer Alternate.

Advc · May 4, 2018

I already have the original game on Wii U but reading this thread is slowly making me towards buying the newly released Switch version. Hype inducing threads are powerful and not healthy y'all. I'm out haha. Gotta replay it durings this weekend and imagine I'm playing with Funky Konga

Boiled Goose · May 4, 2018

Seik said:
Nope, they were improved and the stutters are gone.

Wait. The stutters during loading are gone?

What about during the initial loading screen? Stuttering clouds was a horrible first impression

swimming · May 4, 2018

you people are really having me debate buying this digitally. and i just got to my first divine beast in botw. ugh

David Sr. · May 4, 2018

Tahnit said:
Just started this and got Diddy Kong but can I not switch to him? Also it tells me to do l+r and then they high five but nothing happens?

In these games buddies act as a power-up. However, you can play as them in the hard mode.

Tahnit · May 4, 2018

So ya can't just be diddy Kong in a level?

Wander_ · May 4, 2018

Jonneh said:
I forgot how beautiful this game is...

Stupid twitter/screen compression >_>

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze |OT| Donkey's Got a Brand New Funk

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