we are in a resurgence of retro-style platformers currently, with inspirations coming from both nintendo & playstation titles ( banjo kazooie, spyro, etc. ) and approaches to gameplay varying from highly derivative / loyal to the source material, to things that feel totally different in every aspect but aesthetic. as such, i feel like lovers of the genre have been gifted a gift most niches are seldom gifted: the ability to choose. there's something for everyone out there, it feels like, and i'm sure more is to come on that front as time goes on.

so who is corn kidz 64 for? super mario 64 enjoyers, of course, but i feel like there's enough love & thought put into this game, that anyone who's enjoyed 3D platformers even a little could find joy in it. the animation is spectacular, showcasing the iconic squash & stretch of early 3D mascot platformers with charm & ease; the UI is well integrated into the world, feeling as tangible & alive as any of the characters do, and enhancing the game's silly atmosphere; movement & general mechanics are creative & similarly well integrated, feeling at once both familiar and refreshingly new, while also being relevant to who the player character is ( a unicorn-goat ); and of course, the overall design work -- worldbuilding, level design, character designs, music -- is all very tight. there's even optional challenge levels for people who want to go above & beyond with their gameplay, which all felt pretty satisfying & creative. it's all just so impressive!

the nostalgia in this game isn't to be ignored, either; indeed, it feels like it's central to every single aspect of the game. the lol random XD humor, emo teen protags, and being an N64-style platformer in general are all about reveling in the pleasure of youth ( in the eyes of the 20-30 year olds playing this ). i sometimes felt like the game relied a little too much on this style of humor, but it never got to the point where it felt like nostalgia was the ONLY thing it had going for it -- corn kidz 64 is just a good game. as well, the general plot being about living in a dream, and concluding by waking up ( but not showing us back in the real world ) envelopes everything in-universe in a neatly contained little package, where you can go & enjoy the past on a goofy, indulgent adventure, but leave it be once it's enough -- a fun meta-level read on not spending too much time daydreaming of a bygone era? who can say. but i think at the end of the day, the game's main goal was just to be a fun, stylish homage to an era of gaming once left behind.

my main critique here is just that the level design felt somewhat confusing, despite how approachably sized each level was. i think splitting the hub world up into smaller, discrete areas would help with keeping missions & secrets straight in my head ... but it isn't the worst crime to commit re: game design, and i don't think its a deal breaker in the slightest. the humor & general atmosphere might not be for everyone, but i do feel like gameplay would be enough to carry it, if you're reeeeally into 3D platforming.

... which i'm not! but i can still see this is a stunning endeavor, and one to be celebrated. corn kidz 64 set out to make a good-ass retro 3D-platformer, and it went & did exactly that.