Kaze and the Wild Masks (2021)

Go on a journey as Kaze in this 90’s classics inspired platformer. When the Crystal Islands get cursed, Kaze needs to save her friend Hogo while facing enraged living vegetables. Find the Wild Masks to unleash the powers of the legendary guardians and master land, sky and sea.

Platform Adventure Indie Arcade Action Kids casual retro 2d 1990s old school female protagonist pixel graphics family friendly 2d platformer precision platforming speedrun mode fastpaceGoogle Stadia, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

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Character

Plot-driven, unpretentious, resolved and nostalgic.

character-ledplot-driven
unpretentiousprestige
resolvedopen-ended
contemporarynostalgic
classical in formformally daring

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From the critics

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Hardcore GamerJeremy PeeplesMar 20214.5/5
Kaze and the Wild Masks is a must-own platformer - especially for anyone craving a new Donkey Kong Country game.
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Nintendo LifeStuart GippMar 20219/10
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.
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GamingTrendElisha DeograciasMar 202190/100
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.
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We Got This CoveredEric HallApr 20213/5 stars
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.
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Digitally DownloadedMatt SainsburyMar 20213/5 stars
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.
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Snippets via OpenCritic, where 88% of critics recommend it.

About the game

Platforms: Google Stadia, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Developer: PixelHive
Publisher: SOEDESCO Publishing
Released: March 25, 2021
Modes: Single player
Perspective: Side view
Engine: Unity
Time to beat: 7 h main story

IGDB rating 7.4/10 from 28 ratings.

Screenshots

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