Ivy the Kiwi? Review for Nintendo Wii

System: Wii, DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Prope	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: XSEED	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Aug. 24, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-4	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

As with any platformer, things start out easy but ramp up in difficulty after not too long a time. Initially, Ivy’s travels across the game’s first fifty-some stages simply involve getting her from point A to point B without much difficulty. There may be some scattered spikes, but other than bouncing Ivy here or there, it’s relatively easy.

Ivy the Kiwi? screenshot

Things don’t stay that way, though. Soon Ivy begins to encounter enemies within the game’s bite-sized stages, which you either have to block off from the near-defenseless bird or deal with by slingshotting Ivy into them with her drill move. Breakable blocks begin to appear (again, you’ll need to use Ivy’s slingshot). Acid drops appear on the ceiling areas of some stages, which have to be blocked by clever vine placement. Then there are other types that can only be broken by “throwing” large rocks across stages alongside the titular bird, which can be pretty tough at times considering the game’s lack of direct control in any object interaction. In the later stages, the game forces you to do a lot of multitasking, simultaneously shielding Ivy from immediate harm while ensuring her path is also safe a few proverbial paces ahead. It can be all too easy to accidentally whirl Ivy into a bed of spikes or some other danger because you were trying to protect Ivy and, for example, form a bridge for her. Should you let any harm befall such a cute little bird, you may feel like a negligent monster. Thankfully, the game’s controller throwing moments are relatively few, though stages involving the use of rocks may severely tax your patience at times (particularly when Ivy lands in front of a rock needed to take out obstacles or enemies).

I have to say, with all the violence and depravity that’s so commonplace in the industry these days, it’s refreshing to come across a game with such an air of innocence. Ivy may not be without its flaws, the biggest being that a seasoned gamer can blow through it in a couple hours and there’s not a whole lot of replay value, but if you have kids that want a quality platformer or you’re just a fan of puzzle-platformers yourself, Ivy’s a good bet.

By Steve Haske
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.0

Graphics
Ivy’s lush visuals use cel-shading to invoke a sense of child-like wonder.

3.8

Control
Controlling the vines works well enough, although the game’s precise physics can be your worst enemy sometimes. No direct interaction with objects can make moving things tricky.

4.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The music is catchy and vaguely European and sounds are effective if subtle. Also, there’s no voicework aside from Ivy’s adorable “Eee-vee!” sounds.

3.5

Play Value
Ivy is an enjoyable little game, if one that’s a bit too short. An extra mode and collecting each of the ten feathers from the game’s numerous stages adds replay value, though the stages themselves can be short.

3.5

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Ivy the Kiwi? uses a unique storybook presentation to tell the story of Ivy looking for her lost mother.

Compete in a multiplayer mode for up to four players.

Experience unlockable bonus levels with more obstacles to keep the challenge going.