Kirby's Innovative DS Debut
When the Nintendo DS was first released there was a lack of titles that used the touchscreen extensively or in any creative manner. Kirby: Canvas Curse was one of the earliest titles in the DS’s life cycle to exclusively and creatively use the screen. Many feared it would simply be a tech demo to show what could be done on the system, but what emerged was a fully realized and enjoyable addition to the DS library.
The game starts when a witch named Drawcia enters Dreamland and casts a curse. The curse turns Dreamland into a painting and Kirby pursues the witch. When he chases her, Drawcia casts a curse on Kirby removing his arms, legs and the ability for him to suck in any enemy’s abilities. Kirby is left in the form of a useless ball, but as the player you are given a magical paint brush to aid Kirby.
Canvas Curse is a 2D plaltformer, but not in the traditional sense. You do not have any direct control over Kirby in game. The entire game is focused around your ability to help him with your brush which in reality is the DS’s stylus. You are able to draw lines in the form of rainbows on the touch screen, which Kirby can then ride along, and this is the game’s main mechanic. You are able to change Kirby’s speed and momentum in the way that you draw the lines. For example if you draw a loop, Kirby will gain a speed boost after riding through the loop. There is a meter in the game that tells you how much ink you have to draw lines. You can run out of ink the longer you are elevated from the ground, but the meter then refills when you are on the ground.
Just because Kirby has lost his ability to suck in the abilities of enemies does not mean he can’t gain any new ability. You are able to perform a dash move by tapping on Kirby, or you can touch an enemy to stun it. You can use these attacks in order to gain the abilities of different enemies. The abilities include electrical, fire, rock and even rocket abilities. Most of the abilities are necessary for you to use in order to progress through the game. The ability to gain other abilities also helps Canvas Curse feel more like a traditional Kirby game.
Kirby games have never been known for being difficult. They have always easy platform games where gamers of all ages and skill sets could enjoy, and this game is no different. It is a very relaxing and enjoyable experience if you are simply trying to beat the main game. The touch controls make it very accessible for anybody to jump right in and play. It also helps that the controls work incredibly well, and are never really frustrating at any point in the game.
There are also collectible coins scattered throughout the game, and for gamers who are completionists this can give the game some legs and difficulty. Many of the coins are in plain sight, but some are very well hidden and may take some puzzling skills in order to obtain them. These coins can be used in order to buy music, characters, and additional items.
Along with the main game there are also boss battles in the form of mini games and challenge modes. I found these mini games to be boring and they seemed tacked on and uninspired. It seems like the development team could have been more creative in the boss battles, especially since the main game as a whole is imaginative and creative. The challenge modes include timed trials and line trials. Times trials simply have you progressing through a level as quickly as possible, and line challenges limit you ink usage in a level. These modes can actually be very difficult and you need to beat them in order to obtain more coins in the game.
Kirby: Canvas Curse has an extremely charming artstyle, and this is my favorite part of the game. The levels themselves look like water colored paintings and are very vibrant. Each level will sport a different theme with water, fire and cave environments, and they are also more abstract and artistic levels in the game. The art will increase your drive to play through the game because you will want to see all the environments on offer. Canvas Curse could have been a very repetitive game, but the art keeps that from ever happening.
This music and sound in the game is the typical offering of a Kirby game. It is extremely cute, some may say to cute, but it fits the games style. The music is very upbeat and can be enjoyed kids and adults, and this goes for the sound effects as well. The art and sound seem to fit together in an absolute perfect way, and retains the peppy and colorful atmosphere of other Kirby games.
Conclusion
As I was playing Kirby: Canvas Curse I occasionally found myself wishing it were a traditional Kirby game, but that was not what this game is about. The developers wanted to make an innovative, touch screen exclusive game a they succeeded. It also has one of the finest graphical styles I have seen in any video game. The game can seem too cute at points, and if you have played past Kirby games that is to be expected. If you are a fan of Kirby or want to support true innovation on the DS, I urge most any gamer to give Canvas Curse at try. Did I mention I like the artstyle?
