For those gamers who have never played a Kirby game to date like myself this game is a great introduction to the series/character. Canvas Curse takes an old genre and puts a new twist on it that keeps gamers involved with the on screen action rather than hitting the "jump" button constantly.
Gameplay 9/10
Push a pink ball around and draw rainbows to guide said ball into magic portals. Wow that sounds like something a "stoner" would say. Well I'm here to tell you that even though this game looks "kiddy" and sounds like something conceived from the mind of a high teen it is a great game that a lot of gamers should try out. Kirby has been turned into a ball and only by using the touch sensitive screen on the DS can you guide him through eight different levels. Tapping Kirby and drawing rainbows that defy physics are the only way to move the little pink guy. Draw ramps, loops to gain speed, shields to block projectiles and platforms for Kirby to land on so that he may get to a magic portal, which will bring him, closer to the inevitable showdown with the evil witch Drawicia who cursed him.
Tapping plays a large part in the game as well. Once tapped Kirby will speed up, while tapping his enemies will stun them for a few seconds. If you successfully dispatch an enemy that possesses a unique ability you gain it. Kirby can acquire beam attacks; fireball attacks, freezing attacks and spark (lightning) attacks. Other abilities include changing into a balloon, a spike and a tire. These abilities prove useful and Kirby will be called upon often to use one in order to complete a level or find a hidden coin.
Audio 9/10
Catchy tunes and good sound effects really breathe life into this game. A whole slew of sound effects are always in progress due to the constant tapping and drawing that takes place. These sound effects are functional and well done however the real winner in the audio section is the music. Everything from the main menu to the final boss is complimented by catchy music and what is better is that this music can be heard at any time from the "sound" menu. There are several levels that I felt had memorable music and reminded me how fun it was to play simple games that have great little jingles to them.
Video 8/10
Like most 2D platform games Canvas Curse sports clear and crisp graphics. The colors used to bring the various levels alive are bright and look like standard fare for the genre. Overall the art direction comes off as very simplistic which is quite evident in most levels and the graphics themselves don't really push the envelope for the DS. Even as a 2D game the visual experience comes off as average and the saving grace for Canvas Curse is the good use of colors.
Replay 9/10
The replay factor for Canvas Curse is a mixed bag. I took my time and fooled around in the game yet I still finished it in seven hours. This resulted in me getting a 37% completion rating so most gamers will find this game very short. Conversely you could go back and try for 100% but that just means you're going to be hunting down collectable coins.
You earn these coins by finding them in levels, beating time trials and line trails in "rainbow run". This "rainbow run" is a feature that allows you to play any completed levels again and challenges you to beat a time or draw as few lines as possible.
Lastly you can play three different mini games once you've beaten a level in the main game. These mini games consist of "Block attack" where you must defeat enemies and destroy blocks to win. "Cart run" where you race against a mini boss by guiding Kirby into food for power ups. Lastly you have "Paint panic" where you must draw specific shapes or objects within a few seconds to win. The cart run was my favorite mini game and I felt these games helped keep things fresh and entertaining when I was playing the main game.
The coin collection can be justified though seeing as how you can unlock special levels, music and game features with the coins. For those gamers who don't feel the need to get 100% you can access the three mini games from the main menu once you've beat them in the main game and have a blast. The only failing I think Canvas Curse has is the replay value for the main game. With the amount of time and effort you'll put into the time and line trails you won't want to go back through all the levels again. Lastly the story like all platform games is almost none existent so you won't feel the need to experience all the levels. Instead you'll probably play a few levels that really caught your eye in the main game.
Rent or Buy?
Rent this game and beat the main game. If you feel you can deal with collecting coins and doing trials then I suggest buying it. The game feels so "fresh" and unique that everyone with a DS should at least try this game if only to revisit an old genre that has finally learned a new trick.
Score
Gameplay 9/10
Audio 9/10
Video 8/10
Replay 9/10
Overall (it is an average) 8.75 rounded up to a 9 for innovation and fun factor.
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