The Wii U seems to be the last bastion of the "traditional" multiplayer gaming experience. When we first moved in together, priority one was obtaining a gaming console. As the industry has shifted to online gaming and fewer split-screen titles are produced, we've largely abandoned our dying 360 (the disc tray doesn't work) and temperamental PS3 (now little more than a glorified Blu-ray player) for PC gaming. Many of the titles we previously played together on console, such as L4D2 and the Borderlands series, are now staples in our Steam libraries and we've given little thought to the next-gen consoles.
Nintendo seems to be the only company fully aware of the desire for lounge room gaming. Like most other people, we initially assumed the Wii U to be an addition for the Wii rather than an entirely separate console. Now it's a staple in our household and our library is full of racing, fighting and platforming games (and a couple of dance titles, shh!) reminiscent of the ones from our respective childhoods.
Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush (Rainbow Curse in the US) is an altogether strange experience at first. Similar to Kirby: Canvas Curse on Nintendo DS, you are no longer Kirby - you're his guide, using the stylus and GamePad to "paint" paths for Kirby to roll along. Gone is the traditional Kirby experience. You won't be running, floating and sucking up enemies here. Rather Kirby is reduced to his base form: a ball.
There's definitely a learning curve and I recommend having a full-sized stylus rather than stock one. Tapping Kirby will produce a spin attack and collecting 100 stars will grant him a heavy-duty star dash. Certain levels will also see Kirby turned into a tank, submarine and rocket, similar to Kirby's Epic Yarn. (Side note: how much of an opportunity are Nintendo wasting calling it Yoshi's Woolly World rather than Yoshi's Yarn?!)
Few titles have made what could really be called "excellent use" of the bulky Wii U GamePad. The single-player experience in Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush seems to have the opposite problem to other games in that it treats the GamePad as though it were a handheld device, completely disregarding any need for a TV. A number of times I played while watching TV just because I could and I genuinely wondered why I wasn't just playing this on my 3DS, especially given it has better battery life.
And so we come back to the multiplayer experience. The game allows for up to three additional players with Wii-motes as Waddle Dees to "help" Kirby (depending on your particular family members). While this is a thoroughly laughable experience, we had similar issues to Kirby's Epic Yarn in that the additional player(s) died frequently. Due to the isolation of the GamePad, whoever played as Kirby also felt somewhat removed from the game and some "I'm not psychic!" arguments ensued.
The game itself is stunning. The modelling clay art style is unique, textured and offers the occasional artistic treat (read: gimmick) to players. I bought Epic Yarn years after release purely for the art style and this is just as glorious. Aside from the change of controls, the gameplay is largely the same as most Kirby games with increasingly difficult levels and a boss fight at the end of each stage. If like me you're a completionist, you may find it slightly tedious having to replay levels to collect chests you overlooked or failed to collect in timed challenges.
In particular, I really enjoyed challenge-mode. You are given one minute to guide Kirby through four short levels to collect a chest - simple but frustrating. Again, possibly tedious for those who don't enjoy having to repeat levels over and over but generally quick, simple and thrilling.
Despite being largely typical of the Kirby oeuvre, the changes to controls, multiplayer and art style offer a charming and exciting experience. Discovering new little features keeps the game fresh and mildly frustrating without making you want to throw the GamePad through your TV (mostly). Well worth a look-in if you're a fan of Kirby.
NB: So far we've been unable to test out the Amiibo feature as we do not have any of the appropriate Amiibos.
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