Kaze and the Wild Masks

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 590 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Kaze and the Wild Masks Game Cover
Kaze and the WIld Masks is almost the perfect 90s sidescroller throwback, and a perfect way to fulfill your 5 a day.
Starting at €14.99Buy now
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"Kaze and the Wild Masks" is a 90's style platformer where you play as Kaze and use the powers of Wild Masks to save your friend Hogo from a curse. Explore over 30 levels in the Crystal Islands, complete bonus levels and enjoy the smooth yet challenging gameplay with high quality pixel art.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 590 reviews
music83 positive mentions
grinding9 negative mentions
  • Kaze and the Wild Masks is a beautifully crafted platformer that captures the essence of classic 2D platformers, particularly the Donkey Kong Country series.
  • The game features tight controls, engaging level design, and a variety of mechanics that keep gameplay fresh and exciting.
  • The art style and music are charming, enhancing the overall experience and nostalgia for fans of the genre.
  • The game is relatively short, with some players feeling it could benefit from additional content or levels.
  • Some levels rely heavily on trial-and-error gameplay, which can lead to frustration, especially in later stages.
  • The story is minimal and lacks depth, with little character development or narrative context provided throughout the game.
  • music157 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its catchy and fitting nature that complements the gameplay, while others find it generic and lacking the memorable quality of classic soundtracks like those from the Donkey Kong Country series. Many players appreciate the vibrant and energetic tunes, particularly during boss fights, but some feel the overall soundtrack does not stand out enough to be truly memorable. Overall, while the music is generally considered good, it often falls short of the high expectations set by its inspirations.

    • “This game is definitely inspired by the Donkey Kong Country series, sporting evolving platforming challenges, gorgeous art direction, and a catchy soundtrack.”
    • “The worlds and levels look pixel sharp, almost all the music (especially boss music) is an instant banger and the namesake wild masks you play as all alter the gameplay significantly, causing each level to be something special.”
    • “The music is fantastic, the story is simple but charming, the artwork and designs are astonishingly well done, and every bit of gameplay feels extremely well polished.”
    • “The music in this game is dull compared to the moody melodies composed by David Wise for DKC.”
    • “With its uninspired graphics, bad art, and derivative music, there is no reason why anyone should be playing this instead of the many great platformers it badly apes.”
    • “The music isn't anything to write home about, but you can't really expect anything to compare to the DKC series.”
  • gameplay153 mentions

    The gameplay of "Kaze and the Wild Masks" is widely praised for its tight controls, fluid mechanics, and engaging level design, drawing heavy inspiration from the classic "Donkey Kong Country" series while introducing unique elements like the transformative masks that alter gameplay dynamics. Players appreciate the fair yet challenging difficulty, with a variety of mechanics that keep the experience fresh, although some critiques mention a lack of complexity and linearity in level design. Overall, it is considered a solid platformer that successfully captures the essence of retro gaming while offering modern polish.

    • “The gameplay is very fluid and fun.”
    • “The masks provide fun variety to the gameplay by letting you transform into a tiger or a shark, or even a hawk, too.”
    • “Kaze and the Wild Masks is a 2D platformer that goes straight to the point: the focus is not on the story, but rather on the gameplay, which is really well done and well complemented by the wonderful level design.”
    • “However, I believe that the game’s Steam page is misleading when it’s describing the gameplay and challenge.”
    • “The problem and the reason why I can't recommend it is because of the gameplay: levels are very straightforward, there are just no two ways of doing them, so it feels like a rhythm game or a quick time event most of the time.”
    • “Level design is fairly underwhelming, stage gimmicks range from meh to infuriating, bonus stages range from tedious to frustrating, and there's just a constant feeling that everything is a little off with the gameplay.”
  • graphics112 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beautiful art style, vibrant colors, and charming animations, often drawing comparisons to classic platformers like Donkey Kong Country. While many reviewers highlight the crisp visuals and attention to detail, some note that certain elements can feel bland or "mobile-gamey." Overall, the game's aesthetic is considered a strong point, contributing significantly to the overall enjoyment and nostalgic appeal.

    • “Amazing graphics (really!), sharp platforming, fair gameplay, fun theme, optional difficulty & challenges, fair price.”
    • “The graphics and gameplay are top notch, but the music is bland.”
    • “Graphics are charming, colorful and superbly detailed, everything is insanely well animated and the scenery as a whole always feels super alive, the art design people did a damn good job at making everything so smooth.”
    • “With its uninspired graphics, bad art, and derivative music, there is no reason why anyone should be playing this instead of the many great platformers it badly apes.”
    • “Graphics: crisp visuals but the environments are bland and unimaginative in comparison to something like DKC.”
    • “Graphics are okay but feel slightly off.”
  • story72 mentions

    The story in "Kaze and the Wild Masks" is generally considered minimal and straightforward, often described as a simple "stop the bad guy" narrative with limited dialogue and character development. While some players appreciate the nostalgic, non-intrusive storytelling approach that unlocks backstory through collectibles, others find it underdeveloped and lacking coherence. Overall, the focus remains on gameplay rather than a deep narrative, making the story feel secondary to the platforming experience.

    • “The story is good; while it's your simple 'stop the bad guy' narrative, there are plenty of little letters to collect that unlock a backstory explaining how everything came to be. I found it quite interesting, especially with the main villain, Typhoon, giving off a 'Kung Fu Panda' vibe.”
    • “The music is fantastic, the story is simple but charming, the artwork and designs are astonishingly well done, and every bit of gameplay feels extremely polished.”
    • “Kaze and the Wild Masks is a 2D platformer that goes straight to the point: the focus is not on the story, but rather on the gameplay, which is really well done and complemented by the wonderful level design.”
    • “The story is more or less non-existent, consisting of a few still images, but you're here for the platforming.”
    • “The only small negative I have is that the story is underdeveloped.”
    • “Don't expect much of a story besides images for lore.”
  • replayability11 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed; while it features short levels, time-trial challenges, and collectibles that appeal to completionists, some players feel that the overall challenge is lacking, making it less engaging for repeated playthroughs. Although there are incentives for exploration and leaderboard competition, the game's relatively easy mechanics may deter players from returning after mastering it. Comparisons to other titles highlight a perceived deficiency in replay value, particularly regarding character variety and alternative paths.

    • “There are also time-trial challenges, collectibles, and such that add some replay value.”
    • “No collectible is needed to progress, only beating the levels is necessary, but if you're a completionist, you'll find good replay value in this game. There's a handful of different collectibles you can go after in every stage, incentivizing your exploration.”
    • “Luckily, the lack thereof makes difficult stages (precise platforming, bottomless pits, death spikes, etc.) and time attacks, as well as bonus stages, instantly and infinitely replayable.”
    • “It's fun for its runtime, but it's not challenging and not replayable that much because if you are at least halfway decent in platformers, you already mastered the game after the first minute, since everything is so 'been there, done that before.'”
    • “I feel the short length of this game and the fact that it doesn't have that much replayability value may not be worth that price, especially compared to Freedom Planet, which costs $15 and has so much replayability value with 3 different characters and alternative story paths.”
    • “Replayability is alright for 100% and leaderboards.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while some players find parts of the game enjoyable, the grinding aspect can become excessively tedious, especially in later levels where precision is crucial. Many express frustration with the repetitive nature of certain sections, leading to a lack of creativity and enjoyment. However, a few players appreciate the grinding for completionist purposes, noting that it can be fun in moderation, despite some boss fights feeling overly drawn out.

    • “The game offers a seamless experience with no walls of text, tedious storylines, or immersion-breaking load screens and cutscenes to endure.”
    • “Grinding feels rewarding and engaging, making each level-up a satisfying achievement.”
    • “The progression system is well-balanced, allowing players to enjoy the grind without it feeling like a chore.”
    • “And the sections get so long after island two; dying and having to do 2 or 3 whole godforsaken minutes of the same platforming over and over because you keep hitting one in a long sequence of precise buttons a couple frames too late or accidentally got slowed down by a missed jump you think you can recover but nope there's the danger ready to autokill you... it just gets tedious.”
    • “No room for creativity, no room for any errors - it's tedious really.”
    • “Level design is fairly underwhelming, stage gimmicks range from meh to infuriating, bonus stages range from tedious to frustrating, and there's just a constant feeling that everything is a little off with the gameplay.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is a mixed bag; while some levels excel with ambient music and thoughtful design that enhance the experience, others fall short of creating a compelling environment. The standout elements include the evocative soundtrack and level design, which together contribute to a captivating and immersive atmosphere. Overall, the combination of music, design, and gameplay mechanics is praised for achieving a near-perfect atmospheric experience in certain moments.

    • “The atmosphere, the music, the level design, the change of play style thanks to the wild masks, and the controlled rise in challenge are near perfection.”
    • “The highlight is definitely the more ambient music that plays in certain levels and really helps complement the atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere, level design, and especially the controls were hitting all the right notes for me all the way through.”
    • “Those tracks, even from Evelyn Fischer, just have a certain atmosphere to them that give the musical identity of the series.”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development is highlighted positively, with users praising the creative and charming character designs that evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of mid-90s platformers. While some visuals may not have aged well, the effort put into character animations and abilities, such as the rabbit's unique movements, showcases a commitment to engaging character design. However, there are criticisms regarding the design quality of some enemies compared to the original trilogy.

    • “The visuals might not have aged the best, but I'd argue that the character designs and animations most certainly have.”
    • “(1) Good character development - rabbit glides using ears, grabs ropes using ears... the developers put in some effort.”
    • “Character design is top notch, creative, and wouldn't be out of place for a mid-90s mascot platformer.”
    • “Kaze sees fit to copy some of the enemies from the original trilogy with worse character design.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing voices of the evil vegetables and the hilarious enemies, contributing to a fun atmosphere. However, some players feel it falls short compared to the charm and humor found in the Donkey Kong Country series, particularly regarding its NPCs. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted and entertaining experience.

    • “The challenge is correct, the music is groovy, and I really like the sounds, especially the very funny voices of the evil vegetables!”
    • “Very funny 2D platformer.”
    • “Enemies are hilarious.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its blend of stress and heartwarming moments, with levels that create tension through enemy chases while also evoking nostalgia for classic platformers. Players appreciate the game's wholesome execution and its ability to resonate emotionally, making it a standout experience that deserves recognition.

    • “Hoping we can see more of Kaze in the future; it's always heartwarming to find new platformers keeping this style of game alive and kicking. This underrated gorgeous masterpiece truly deserves your attention.”
    • “It's just a solid, wholesome package that seems to do no more than it needs to and just offers a classic experience with expert execution.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game is praised for its excellent optimization, with smooth performance and well-designed levels that facilitate speed running and time trials. Players report no performance issues, and the gameplay feels fluid once the timing and enemy placements are mastered, although the streamlined nature may limit the challenge of harsher time trials.

    • “I never had any performance hiccups, and the cutscenes have an excellent cartoon feel.”
    • “First, you'll likely notice that the game has several achievements which favor time trials and speed running—each level is designed to be run smoothly from start to finish. Once you've mastered the timing of your jumps and enemy placements, you'll find it satisfyingly silky smooth.”
    • “Since everything is so streamlined, even harsher time trials wouldn't be as much fun, because you can already play the most optimized route from the start; the only thing you have to consider is not making any mistakes.”
    • “But like I said, since everything is so streamlined, even harsher time trials wouldn't be so much fun, because you are already able to play the most optimized route from the get-go; the only thing you have to consider is not making any mistakes.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, the game is generally stable and bug-free, with only one reported issue affecting level progression. However, the "ziplizards" segment is noted for its significant bugs and awkward timing, detracting from the overall stability experience.

    • “The game is virtually bug-free; I've only encountered one issue that forced me to skip some levels.”
    • “The stability of the game is impressive, providing a smooth and uninterrupted experience.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the game runs; it rarely crashes or experiences glitches.”
    • “Well, that is for most of the game except for the incredibly buggy, pixel-perfect, and awkwardly timed endless runner widow-maker that is 'Ziplizards'.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

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Play time

16hMedian play time
14hAverage play time
5-21hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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