Like all Nintendo branded games, Kirby and the rainbow brush will not be a date for its scenario, that's for sure. If there is no question here of a kidnapped princess, Kirby is on the other hand asked to save the world, Glaizia, an evil spirit, having decided to steal all the colors of Dream Land, like that, just for fun. But that was without counting on the presence of Eline, a fairy materialized in the form of a paintbrush, who manages to save Kirby and his friend Waddle Dee from a deep sleep by reassigning their respective colors. This theme of a world that has become bland after losing its colors is obviously reminiscent of titles such as Okami or even the game of Blob, both released on Wii. But unlike the latter, Kirby and the rainbow brush will not impose a black & white universe to be recolored but rather a modeling clay look of the most beautiful effect. Don't look for any logic at this crossroads, the idea of Kirby and the rainbow brush is there above all to justify gameplay based entirely on touch and reintroduce the use of the stylus. Yes sir!
FOLLOW THE LEADER
It is therefore with unfailing logic that the gameplay of Kirby and the rainbow brush is based on the use of Nintendo's tablet. The idea is indeed to enjoy its various tactile functionalities, but also its autonomous screen, you will very quickly understand why. So, like Kirby and the Brush of Power released in 2005 on DS, the player will have to help Kirby advance through each level and overcome obstacles by drawing rainbow ropes for him. The peculiarity of this episode is that the player does not really control Kirby, he moves automatically, forcing the player to help him move, either by tapping on him to give him an impulse, or by drawing rainbows so he can move around in peace. Better, by drawing loops, it is possible to offer a launch pad which acts as an acceleration boost, thus making it possible to smash the cracked blocks which block the road. But these rainbow ropes also play a defensive role since they can prevent enemies from hurting Kirby, but also solve the – many – puzzles of the game such as blocking a waterfall, protecting yourself from laser beams or even preventing a wave of lava comes to burn Kirby alive.
The gameplay, simple, sharp and effective plays its score without real false notes, but it is true that we would have liked a little more fantasy since the latter is based on that of Kirby and the brush of power.
Fortunately, Kirby has superpowers, provided he has collected at least 100 stars to benefit from the Star Dash, also known as Turbo Star, allowing Kirby to be inhabited by the Force and therefore to destroy everything on his pass for a short time. Ideal for cleaning up around you quickly. Otherwise, you will have to rely on your ability to transform into anything and everything: tank, submarine, missiles. With each metamorphosis, it will be necessary to guide the trajectories well, Kirby always needing our help. History to spice up the gameplay, the developers of Hal Laboratory integrated an ink gauge which it is necessary constantly to supervise, this one limiting the number of rainbow cords to draw. So don't have fun chaining the tracks to make Kirby rise to the sky, hoping to reach hidden bonuses, our hero can fall violently if you're not careful. However, no need to be alarmed either, Kirby and the Rainbow Brush was developed mainly for young players and the difficulty is never very excessive. Whether it's the enemies to defeat, the platforming phases or even the puzzles, everything is done with sometimes disconcerting ease, thus reducing the life of the game. It will not take more than 7 hours to arrive at the end of the adventure in a straight line, while fans of 100% will have to spend a few extra hours to unearth all the hidden items and then unlock the challenges found in the side missions.
THE CLAY OF SUCCESS?
With its thirty levels and ten bosses to defeat, Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush is in line with Nintendo's latest platformers, with an adventure that can be enjoyed with some pleasure. The gameplay, simple, sharp and effective plays its score without real false notes, but it is true that we would have liked a little more fantasy since the latter is based on that of Kirby and the brush of power. In fact, Nintendo's title fails above all in its lack of risk-taking, like Yoshi's New Island, which we expected to be more transcendent, unfolding a score that we end up knowing by heart after 3 hours of play. Similarly, by offering gameplay solely based on touch and the use of the stylus, the developers force the player to have his eyes constantly riveted on the GamePad, preventing him from enjoying the great realization of the game, made however modeling clay. Playing on the tablet is not unpleasant, but it is unable to render the same rendering as a giant screen on which the colors explode and where the relief effect is striking. In fact, to be able to enjoy the TV in the living room, it will be necessary to launch the co-op games where the friends play as Waddle Dee, while the main player will control Kirby. But for that, you still need to have three Wiimotes on hand…
