Kaze and the Wild Masks Reviews
Kaze and the Wild Masks is an unashamed blast from the past, for better or worse. PixelHive's love letter to 16-bit gaming surmounts budgetary and design shortcomings with a compelling challenge, luscious visuals, and an evocative soundtrack, all punctuated by a solid underdog spirit. Kaze's polished but formulaic gameplay will not be to everyone's taste, but for those who long for the halcyon days when the platformer was king, it's most definitely wabbit season.
A rock-solid platformer that shines in the graphics and gameplay department. Its main fault is that the game is too derivative.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A perfect modern retro-game, inspired from 90s 16-bit classics.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Kaze and the Wild Masks is a near-perfect platformer with a lot of charm and entertaining gameplay. It’s just a rush of amazing platforming action chock-full of collectibles and challenge that will have you grinning ear-to-ear like you did in the 90s.
Kaze and The Wild Masks is an instant classic in the side-scrolling genre. It's a simple, well-executed formula that channels tons of different inspirations while still holding true to its own vision. The gameplay is top-notch and offers everything a fan could want, from beautiful sprite work to collecting shiny objects. Consider this a must-own among the other great side scrollers.
Kaze and the Wild Masks merges elements from great games of the 16-bit era in order to create a fascinating 2D platformer. Although its influences are clearly visible, these aspects have been developed with modern-day principles to alleviate some of the issues that plagued titles of that period. With an incredible pixel-based art style, euphonious soundtrack and perfect precision-based platforming, Kaze and the Wild Masks is a must for fans of the genre.
Overall, this is a fast-paced, colourful, and nostalgic experience. It’s challenging while staying on the right side of frustrating, with a lot of fun to be had. Though you might not get much out of the story, you’ll still have fun clearing levels and beating time trials.
I cannot recommend this game enough. I loved Kaze and the Wild Masks, and hope it finds the audience it deserves so we might get more games from this team. It really ticked all the boxes I would expect from a game inspired by the mascot platformers I grew up with. It also helps that the game is coming to every platform imaginable. Do not hesitate if you love titles like Donkey Kong Country or even have the most minute nostalgia for that plethora of mascot platformers from the mid -to-late 90s. This game hits all those notes whileinjecting its own flavor to the cause.
While on the short side and not particularly original, Kaze and the Wild Masks is an exceptional 2D platformer filled with well designed, engaging levels and tight, responsive controls.
I had so much fun playing Kaze and the Wild Makes. Fast, colorful, easy to play if you just want to see the end, and absolutely challenging if you try to fully complete it unlocking every secret. The gameplay is not that innovative, and sometimes borrows heavily from the classics, but the result is an undeniably competent game. If you like platformers, there is no reason in the world not to try it. Highly recommended.
Review in Italian | Read full review
An absolute pleasure from start to finish, what Kaze and the Wild Masks lacks in originality it makes up for in the strength of its level design, responsive controls, kinetic move set and attractive visuals. Excellent, action-packed platforming through and through, with great gameplay variety and gimmicks that don't compromise on what the game is best at – challenging, fast-paced obstacle courses and deviously-hidden secret areas. Easiest sell? Kaze and the Wild Masks is to Donkey Kong Country what Freedom Planet was to Sonic the Hedgehog. Don't miss this one.
It may wear its influences on its sleeve, but Kaze and the Wild Masks is still an effortlessly delightful romp with its tight gameplay, beautiful worlds, and enjoyable platforming action.
There is something here that can turn into a great series. If a sequel gets made for Kaze and the Wild Masks that leans more into its own ideas and tightens up its platforming, there isn't a doubt in my mind it can eventually become one of the greats.
Kaze and the Wild Masks borrows every aspect of the Donkey Kong Country formula, and delivers a classic adventure, which sadly lacks surprises and identity. Despite beautiful environments and old-school collectibles, it is a game you already played for the most part.
Review in French | Read full review
Kaze and the Wild Masks is a competently made, and mostly enjoyable addition to the platformer pantheon. However, its over-reliance on gimmicks from the past only calls to mind stronger efforts.
Kaze and the Wild Masks starts off as an innocent platformer from the 90s but goes from first to fifth gear quickly in difficulty. Ramping up to large amounts of difficulty and enjoying the scenery is what made platformers in the 90s good. With Kaze, the difficulty is such a dramatic shift that you're stuck not having the ability to stop and smell the flowers that PixelHive has worked so hard to grow.
Kaze and the Wild Masks is a must-own platformer - especially for anyone craving a new Donkey Kong Country game.
Kaze and the Wild Masks implements everything well. The variety is commendable and the challenges are intriguing and the level design is solid. It is an experience reminiscent of the classics of the genre.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
For fans of classic 2D platformers, Kaze and the Wild Masks is up there with the best of them. Even at its most frustrating, the gorgeous artwork and excellent craftsmanship will keep you playing. It’s a shining example of what a great platformer should be, and just goes to show that the classics never go out of style.
Either way, I’m settling on the score that I have because I can’t reward work that is this derivative. But despite the score I find this one an easy recommendation for certain players out there. Kaze is a genuinely well-made game and if you like Donkey Kong Country you’re going to like this one, if for no other reason than it’s something of a greatest hits of the best Donkey Kong Country levels. If we see a Kaze 2 (and I hope we will), and the developers show us a little of their own creative ideas in there, then we’ll be looking at some really high scores indeed.