It's always nice to see someone trying something different in the platformer genre. With Ivy the Kiwi, Yuji Naka – the man who created Sonic the Hedgehog – has melded puzzle elements with more standard platforming action to create a title that, while not an instant classic, is certainly worth a look.
Over 100 brief levels, the aim is to guide the flightless bird of the title past various obstacles to reach the level exit. Ivy is constantly on the move, only changing direction when she hits a wall, so speed is frequently of the essence as you intervene to prevent her running off a platform or into one of the rodent enemies dotted about the place.
The principle tool for aiding Ivy's progress is the DS's stylus, which is used to draw vines directly on to the levels. These vines may act as bridges, walls and catapults, and learning to use them speedily and effectively is key to negotiating your way to the exit before the timer reaches zero. It's a satisfying and intuitive game mechanic, giving the impression that the title was created specifically for DS – it was, in fact, originally released for Windows Mobile before being ported to both the DS and Wii.
Its mobile origins are apparent from the off – as with many of the best mobile games, there's no real depth to it. Each level passes very quickly; for the most part it's very easy, and it's all geared around short bursts of gameplay. This shallowness doesn't mean it's in any way bad, although one might feel it's a bit of a swizz to shell out £25 for a such undemanding fare (there's a cheaper DSiWare version available for download, with 50 levels instead of 100).
The graphics are just about adequate; there's a lot of muddy brown in evidence, and while they were probably shooting for an atmospheric storybook feel, they've sadly fallen a bit short. Moreover, little effort has been invested in imbuing Ivy with any real personality – a petty gripe perhaps, but given that Ivy comes from the same mind as Sonic one can be forgiven for expecting a bit more substance in the lead character.
Shortcomings aside, Ivy the Kiwi is a solid, above-average casual game that's likely to have platformer fans hooked, for a few hours at least.
• Game reviewed on DS
