Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is a platformer game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Wii U console. It was released in 2015 as a sequel to Kirby: Canvas Curse, which was released on the Nintendo DS in 2005. In the game, players control Kirby, a pink, round creature, as he embarks on an adventure to save his world from an evil sorceress named Claycia. The game's unique art style is inspired by claymation, with all the characters and environments appearing as if they were made out of clay. The main gameplay mechanic revolves around drawing rainbow-colored lines on the Wii U GamePad to guide Kirby through levels. Players must navigate obstacles, defeat enemies, and collect items while maintaining a steady flow of rainbow lines.
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is an adventure game that features some mild fantasy violence. Specifically, the pink protagonist can transform into a couple of vehicles (tank, sub, rocket) that can shoot missiles at enemies that disappear when struck; it should be known that combat isn't the primary focus of the game. Although it does feature a tutorial that explains the controls very well, interacting with Kirby isn't as intuitive as it could be, which could increase frustration in players. Kids also might ask parents to buy amiibo characters, which are optional action figures that can be used in the game to unlock special abilities. Designed for preschoolers and kindergardeners, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse can help them learn the colors of the rainbow. Recommended for ages 3-8 years WARNING: This game is designed for preschoolers and kindergardeners (Ages 3-6). although This is also for 1st and 2nd graders.
It doesn t take long to feel déjà vu -- but bringing in friends helps make the experience better; one or more Waddle Dees can time their jumps and slash at enemies to help Kirby do his thing. Elline tries one more time to reason with her before the fight starts, but Claycia callously slaps her away with her Grab Hands, prompting Kirby to step in and fight.
Players must navigate obstacles, defeat enemies, and collect items while maintaining a steady flow of rainbow lines. The game utilizes the Wii U's touchscreen controls and the GamePad's gyroscopic sensors to allow players to interact with the level directly. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse features a variety of levels, each with its own unique challenges and puzzles.
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse Review
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is a brisk, gorgeous platformer that has no qualms with taking off the training wheels. Built on the same tenants as 2005’s fantastic Kirby: Canvas Curse for the original DS, this Wii U sequel places all of the power in your stylus, which makes for a refreshing experience that feels different than most 2D platformers. Its dependence on touch controls make it a slightly awkward fit for the Wii U, but this beautiful world looks and plays great on the GamePad.
Like in the DS original, you don't directly control Kirby in the traditional platforming sense. Instead, you rely on the stylus to draw a track using a finite amount of rechargeable ink for the little pink puff to roll on. It’s sort of a weird concept to wrap your head around at first, but once I settled into a groove, I was avoiding enemies, building momentum downhill, and completing levels without ever letting Kirby touch the ground. More complex tactics, like blocking projectiles with hand-drawn walls and collecting 100 stars to transform into a giant bullet make control of Kirby a deep, and rewarding endeavor.
Loading PlayAnd you’ll definitely need to hit your groove, because Rainbow Curse quickly bares its adorable fangs. One-hit kill enemies, tricky bosses, and levels littered with traps make for some really tough, but ultimately rewarding challenges. That might be a little scary if you were hoping to share this cartoonish-looking game with a more novice gaming partner, but the good news here is that 1UPs are in abundance, so having to replay a particularly tricky section isn’t the end of the world.
Rainbow Curse’s 28 stages, which took me about seven hours to get through, keep you moving at a brisk pace. Levels change in style and layout all the time, and throw in some much-appreciated variety like these vehicular stages. That said, I felt that the average level by and large was a bit too long. Canvas Curse kept stages to brief, tight challenges that brought back shades of Super Mario 3's brevity, whereas this follow-up tends to deliver a few too many levels that outstay their welcome.
While I loved making my way through the levels for their visual variety and beauty -- going from sunken ships to cloud kingdoms to fiery volcanoes made the adventure fly by in a breeze -- I never really felt the urge to stop and collect the wealth of doo-dads scattered across the world. Where a game like Yoshi’s Island encouraged 100% completion in order to unlock some of its finest stages, Kirby’s in-game trophies, statues, and music samples didn’t really entice me to dig into every nook and cranny.
So let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is absolutely gorgeous. The entire world and all of its inhabitants have a unique, hand-molded look to them that makes it unmistakable among its peers. It joins the ranks of Tearaway, Okami, and a handful of other fantastic experiences that truly feel like you’re playing inside of a tangible world. Small touches, like fingerprint indentations on character models, separate Kirby from any other game out there. Particularly impressive are the bosses. The iconic Whispy Woods huffs and puffs like a stop-motion creature ripped straight out of a Laika movie.
Loading PlayThe tactile nature of the world doesn’t just come across aesthetically, but also in the way you interact with the each level. Chip away at blocks of clay and using your rainbow powers to shield yourself from waterfalls really helped solidify the bond between my hand and the game world.
That said, the stylus-focused nature of the mechanics means you have to keep your eyes on the Wii U GamePad at all times, meaning that you miss out on the full beauty on your television. To soak in all the detail, I’d rather watch someone play than play again myself. Speaking of, Rainbow Curse supports up to three additional players, each of which can control their own Waddle and help maneuver Kirby around the world. It doesn't really add a whole lot to the experience, but the drop-in, drop-out nature of the multiplayer makes it a nice experiment to test out.
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is a brisk, gorgeous platformer that has no qualms with taking off the training wheels. Built on the same tenants as 2005’s fantastic Kirby: Canvas Curse for the original DS, this Wii U sequel places all of the power in your stylus, which makes for a refreshing experience that feels different than most 2D platformers. Its dependence on touch controls make it a slightly awkward fit for the Wii U, but this beautiful world looks and plays great on the GamePad.
The game also includes a multiplayer mode, where up to three friends can join in as Waddle Dee characters to assist Kirby in his adventure. The graphics and art style of Kirby and the Rainbow Curse have been highly praised for their beauty and originality. The claymation style brings a unique charm to the game, and the vibrant colors and detailed environments make the world of Kirby truly come to life. The gameplay is also well-regarded, with many praising the innovative use of the Wii U's GamePad and touchscreen controls. Overall, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is a delightful and creative addition to the Kirby series. It combines charming visuals, engaging gameplay mechanics, and a catchy soundtrack to create a memorable gaming experience. Whether playing alone or with friends, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse offers hours of fun and adventure for players of all ages..
Reviews for "Kirby and the Rainbow Curse: A celebration of friendship and loyalty"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with Kirby and the Rainbow Curse. The gameplay was tedious and repetitive, as you spend the entire time controlling Kirby by drawing rainbow lines on the Wii U GamePad. It quickly became monotonous and lacked the excitement and variety I was hoping for in a Kirby game. Additionally, the limited use of color throughout the game was a missed opportunity to create a visually stunning and vibrant world. Overall, I found the game to be lackluster and not worth the time or money.
2. Mark - 1 star
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse was a major letdown for me. The game felt more like a chore than an enjoyable experience. The constant need to draw rainbow lines to navigate Kirby felt like a gimmick that quickly lost its charm. The levels lacked creativity and variety, and the repetitive gameplay became boring very quickly. The lack of challenge was also disappointing, as I found myself breezing through the game without any real sense of accomplishment. Overall, I found Kirby and the Rainbow Curse to be a forgettable and underwhelming addition to the Kirby series.
3. Jessica - 2 stars
I found Kirby and the Rainbow Curse to be a frustrating and unfulfilling game. The controls were clunky and imprecise, making it difficult to accurately draw the rainbow lines for Kirby to navigate. This led to countless instances of frustration and unnecessary restarts. Additionally, the level design felt uninspired and lacked the charm and creativity that is usually associated with Kirby games. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend this game to other Kirby fans or anyone looking for a fun and engaging gaming experience.