This streamlines the game's flow by being shorter (though I think a respectable length), and I actually think it's better for it. There's less time mucking about in the overworld, and most of the puzzles are for the optional goodies. That actually made me want to do the puzzles more, since they're not an obstacle in your path but a fun diversion if you want it. (Though I do question one of the mandatory puzzles literally being Simon Says.) And when I wasn't feeling a particular puzzle, I could just move on.
That's not what we're here for, though - it's all about the strategy RPG gameplay, which adds a lot of new mechanics that make the game feel fresh. (A positive sign for a sequel, in the off chance it does ever happen.) Donkey Kong is a really cool character, who's able to use a cargo throw and a long-distance jump to transport teammates or enemies vast distances, with the characters themselves still being able to act afterwards. It opens up movement a lot, which means that you can shuffle around the board very freely instead of simply plodding along to the end. There's a bunch of new objectives to match that, too - having to retrieve parts from enemies that are running away from you, or defeat a bunch of enemies that summon other enemies. Rabbid Cranky is a fun unit, too, who gets Yoshi's ground pound but also freezes enemies in the process, while having a unique set of weapons that make him useful at a variety of ranges.
The main story is considerably easier than the main game's story wound up being, and there's a weird sense where certain things seem geared towards entirely new players while others expect you to be familiar with the general mechanics. The reward system - where you get more bananas (currency) for a clearing the chapter in few turns without casualties - is very generous in its criteria for the first three worlds before really tightening the criteria for the final world, so maybe they are trying to easy players in. Still, there's always the post-game challenges (which I assume are more difficult, but I figured 30 hours between this and the main game was plenty for me), and even when the game's easy there's joy in planning out your moves. Fun DLC, well worth the purchase! (At least when it's on sale, as I got it.)
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