Banjo-Kazooie: Gruntopolis | |
Developer(s) | UniversalGaming Inc. |
Publisher(s) | |
Platform(s) | Nintendo Wii U |
Genre(s) | Platforming Action Adventure |
Release Date(s) | (NA) Winter 2013 (JP) Winter 2013 (PAL) TBA 2014 |
Mode(s) | Singleplayer Story Multiplayer Missions Multiplayer Battle |
Age Rating(s) | |
Media Included | Nintendo Wii U Optical Disc |
Banjo-Kazooie: Gruntopolis, known is Japan as Banjo-Kazooie no dai Bōken Toshi dai Sakusen (バンジョーとカズーイの大冒険 都市大作戦, roughly Banjo and Kazooie's Large Urban Adventure) is a game for the Nintendo Wii U. It is a sequel to Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, and more directly Banjo-Tooie. Three years after the events of Banjo-Tooie, Gruntilda Winkybunion, seeking revenge on Banjo and Kazooie, forces them on yet another journey through Gruntopolis, a massive metropolitan city built in the evil witch's image.
Gameplay
Plot
After three years, Grunty, now just a head, puts her brand new plan into action. She easily sneaks into one of Humba Wumba's Wigwams, and surprises the female Shaman with a body-switching spel. Admiring her new body, she quickly runs off, leaving Humba Wumba confused.
In order to take out two birds with one stone, Grunty uses the magic within Humba's body to conjure up a robotic clone of the bear and bird duo, and sends it after Mumbo Jumbo, while she gets to work creating a massive city in an unknown location. The robot catches Mumbo by surprise, but in its haste forgets the shaman's wand on the floor.
Seeking out Banjo and Kazooie for help, Humba enters Spiral Mountain, but is unable to convince the duo of her true character. When she tries to run away, Banjo and Kazooie follow her, thinking that they can stop their enemy once and for all. They chase her just outside of Spiral Mountain, to which they are greeted by Gruntopolis, the massive city constructed by Grunty.
Finally believing Humba, Banjo and Kazooie convince her to come with them to Mumbo's Mountain to seek help. Upon arrival, however, they are ambushed by the robotic clone of the duo, who proceeds to suck the moves right out of them, before returning to Grunty with Mumbo in tow. Recovering, Kazooie notices Mumbo's Wand and proceeds to pick it up. They follow the robot to Gruntopolis, before losing sight of it. Looking around, they realize that this is their next big adventure.
A little ways into the game, the group of three will run into Juddy Buddy, a shaman-in-training who agrees to look after Humba in exchange for transformation training, and he takes on the role of the shaman.
Gamemodes
There are three Gamemodes presented to Players of the game: Story Mode, Multiplayer Battle, and Multiplayer Mission.
Story Mode presents a singleplayer experience in which they play as both Banjo and Kazooie in an attempt to stop Gruntilda Winkybunion from stealing the magic powers of both Humba Wumba and Mumbo Jumbo, with assistance from Juddy Buddy. Players are not presented with alternate characters, unless Transformations are taken into consideration.
Multiplayer Battle is a mode in which up to two local, and four online, Players may battle each other on various maps. Each map is either a pure or re-arranged segment of one of the Story Mode's fifteen levels. Players can use any ability, regardless of whether or not they have actually unlocked it. Additionally, the Breegull Blaster replaces Egg Aiming. Players can choose to play as Banjo and Kazooie, or a recolor of them, among various other characters.
Multiplayer Missions is a mode in which two local, or up to four online, Players use teamwork in order to solve collect various Jiggies that do not count towards the grand total. The number of Players changes the available set of Challenges. For example, two Players will have different Missions than three Players, and four Players will have the most challenging set. Players can choose to play as Banjo and Kazooie, or a recolor of them, among various other characters.
Controls
Locations
Spiral Mountain and Gruntopolis
Full Information: Spiral Mountain and Gruntopolis
Spiral Mountain is the home of Banjo, Kazooie, and Grunty; a new entrance has opened to Bottles' House, where Jamjars is also staying. Goggles, Bottles' son, agrees to teach the duo moves in place of his father. The bridge to Grunty's Lair has now collapsed.
Gruntopolis is a large, metropolitan city crafted by Grunty in order to trap the duo in a game of her own design. The "poor district" is home to the ten Jinjo families: White, Orange, Yellow, Brown, Green, Red, Blue, Purple, Black, and Gold. Only one Gold Jinjo may appear per level, one cannot appear in Fulgore's Fountain, and one must appear in Galactaventure. There are many common site within the city, such as a City Hall, Park, Mechanic, Factory, Harbor, Sky Scraper, Graveyard, Power Plant, and Sewer. There are fourteen Jiggies scattered throughout.
Fulgore's Fountain
Full Information: Fulgore's Fountain
Fulgore's Fountain is the very first level in the game, and as such, is very small. It is the only level without a set of Warp Pads, and re-introduces Banjo and Kazooie to many of their original abilities. The level is located within City Hall, and Juddy Buddy's House is to the immediate right. A massive fountain stands at the center, dedicated to Fulgore, who stands in front of it. There is a Shock-Jump Spring Maze, Natural Cavern, and Quarry Zone circling the fountain.
Tree-Tall Trunk
Full Information: Tree-Tall Trunk
Tree-Tall Trunk is the second level level in the game. It takes place at the very top of a tree, which later turns out to be the very same tree from Click-Clock Wood. It has grown much larger, and it is now inhabited by a community of Breegulls. A level in which it is easy to fall off and die, Players are advised to take caution while traveling across the branches and leaf canopies. The inside of the tree contains a giant maze, as well as entrances to Eyrie's New Nest, Terry's New Nest, and Vultree's Nest.
Creeper's Mansion
Full Information: Creeper's Mansion
Creeper's Mansion is the second level level in the game. A huge, unexplored mansion located outside of the Gruntopolis Graveyard. Unlike Mad Monster Mansion, however, it is proportionally correct when compared to Banjo and Kazooie. It holds many rooms, and is haunted by ghosts. Some of the rooms contain illusions, such as false walls, false floors, distorted air, etc.
Surf-Foam Fracas
Full Information: Surf-Foam Fracas
Electrocen Islands
Full Information: Electrocean Islands
Fogbottom Swamp
Full Information: Fogbottom Swamp
Magma Flows
Full Information: Magma Flows
Icicle Canyon
Full Information: Icicle Canyon
Sugarock Mountain
Full Information: Sugarock Mountain
Timezora
Full Information: Timezora
Mushroom Mayhem
Full Information: Mushroom Mayhem
Blockatopia
Full Information: Blockatopia
Computor Bombutor
Full Information: Computor Bombutor
Minten 4DS
Full Information: Minten 4DS
Galactaventure
Full Information: Galactaventure