Out in relative obscurity, the Kiwi Ivy? is typically the kind of game that quite often does little attention … It would be wrong here, as the freshness of its concept and its realization charming offer an experience of great value.
In the long procession of games of the season, it sometimes emerges that manage to delight us with the advantage that some of the big hits expected; Ivy the Kiwi? is definitely one of them. Making the most of limited resources, however, the developer, Prope focuses its attention on an idea of gameplay truly innovative , amid lovely story for children. The pitch assures cute as seduction: a small Oiselle half stuck in its shell goes in search of his mother in a world full of dangers. A nice little story well served by a simple idea and fresh, which is an impressive wealth. Let it be said, that Ivy is one of the pleasant surprises this season!
But then, dammit, it’s a Kiwi or not?!
The first contact with the game is not yet dramatic. With its palette of colors desaturated to dull the edge of the repeated use of the same textures and models, the Kiwi Ivy? leaves an impression of poverty, which does not help by typing in the eye . Do not be deceived: behind this apparent blandness lies a title that makes a discreet and effective seduction. From the appearance of textures sketched backgrounds drawn in charcoal and pastels , everything here is part of a personality and atmosphere an elegant aesthetic coherence. Adapting to its modest means, the track takes a sketch assumed as not to attract attention by the authority of a garish design. A wise choice since in addition to being highly sympathetic to the eye, this economy from the effects allows the game to serve the gameplay , his heart pounding.
Like lemmings, the Oiselle ahead of itself, first to the right, without having to press any direction button . It does turn to the left until it encounters an obstacle, rushing headlong into danger. The interaction occurs through so that the player draws climbers to the screen in a limit of three simultaneous plants, new shoots erasing the old ones. To do this, simply press the button to create the starting point of the branch, then draw a line while maintaining the pressure. Release the button anchors the plant: you can change the direction of the bird go-getter, slow it down or the speed by varying the steepness of the slope . The first steps are basic: You can generally avoid the hole and climb the stairs.
“Perpetual motion of the bird becomes a kind of” raw material “open to our creativity to work as a paste”
Very quickly, invite each other dangers, even more formidable: the slightest contact with sharp peaks, drops of water deadly rats and other proves fatal. To get out of certain situations, you can also count on elasticity of the plant to project on Ivy foes and crumbling walls in the manner of an arc. Satisfaction play significant, we discover all the wealth of gameplay as a “surprise” in emergency situations tense, lianas mutating into protective wall, launching ramp, runway or trampoline according to the needs of the moment .
The tables themselves are relatively short and will play in a limited time to 300 seconds . This time more than sufficient at the outset offers a real challenge at the last worlds, especially if one wants to collect all the scattered feathers. The fingering becomes paramount in the success of the passages more twists later, some of them requiring a fast racing and nervous where else require a gentle accompaniment. Similarly, we soon learn that we should not necessarily “give up” the vine and it is sometimes better to keep a piece to use as a racket to absorb or propel the bird: the game practiced in this way leads to a lot of attention to physical behavior of the character, and allows complete control of its trajectory; especially as the handling very responsive and reliable can do pretty much what it wants naturally.
Little bird gets big
What distinguishes the Kiwi Ivy? and makes it so special for us is that it detaches from the static approach of hybrid platform / thinking, preferring to it the momentum of a process remains dynamic. The perpetual motion of the bird becomes a kind of “raw material” open to our creativity to work as a paste. When choosing classics thought the level design as a focal point and does not provide direct contact with the character, Ivy the Kiwi? revolves around his only interception of the displacement principle . Here, it is not so much to complete the decoration by drawing the missing parts that capture the kinetic energy of the bird go-getter to the sculpt and retouch constantly. In a joint entirely new between the player and the character, there is a fascinating passage relay, a unique form of collaboration. Far from being a minor modulation, this change of perspective invites a new provision vis-a-vis the platform: that of a creative contribution to the progress.
Through its gameplay alone, the title comes, moreover, to induce the desire to be another than oneself (that in which the game takes us back to Ico and its gameplay warning). Ivy was clearly identified as a separate entity, the only concern of the player is to ensure its survival at all costs. The relationship between obsessive stubbornness of the bird (its incessant march forward) and the principle of protection that is at the heart of the gameplay , the product throughout the progression of a fine effect of concern for the character . The final adventure is even more engaging and memorable, without ever missing coating narrative will be felt.
The lifespan of the title will depend on the use that is in fact: if the time needed to complete the 10 worlds totally does not exceed four hours , levels suffer after the end of the adventure solo recast to more robust. In the same spirit, the multiplayer offers to share the same screen and teamwork (multiplying the number of vines by two), or to race in split screen , with the ability to block the road to the another player. A thoughtful adaptation of the solo mode, which is easy to imagine if you try it ourselves. We could possibly make one regret about the repetition of blocks of textures and lack of richness patterns , and dream of a more opulent … but also, paradoxically, what makes the consistency of this game, perfectly suited to his means.
Conclusion
Finally, although the Kiwi Ivy? never departed from his appearance really short game, it does not appear less completely consistent. Its gameplay innovative, first single, became increasingly rich and blends harmoniously with a charming achievement, despite limited resources. Even more, his new angle on the platform genre, focusing on the dynamics and physics of the character who really stands out. Ivy is one of those titles “researchers” whose findings are sufficiently promising to fertilize many future games. But for now, it simply offers a pleasure play halo of sweetness, the more advisable it is findable new for 25 euros.