It's an adequate 3D platformer. The best part of the game is the controls; satisfying, easy to understand, and it never feels like you're shortchanged when it comes to movement options.
Nintendo clearly modeled this game to be a spiritual successor to Super Mario Odyssey-which is its biggest downfall. Just like Odyssey this game falls flat when it comes to replay value. The initial run is great, but like Odyssey It's a 12-hour game that's only truly refreshing for those 12 hours. After the story it's a prolonged scavenger hunt that feels repetitive, with no true reward for your troubles. Not an $80 experience.
The music is alright. Like Odyssey its composer is Naoto Kubo, who does a decent job, but this entry in the Donkey Kong series is sorely missing David Wise and it doesn't feel as good as his work.