Review!!
It may look gentle and peaceful, but you'll soon realise that Ivy the Kiwi is a seriously stressful game! You don't control the feathery little filly, as she pelts along without a care in the world. If there's something in her way, she just bounces off and goes the other direction. Of course, this being a platform game, there are nasty things in her path - Big spikes! Hungry rats! - and it's up to you to steer her past them.
It's easy to get flustered as you move through all 100 levels of the game, but the satisfaction of pinging Ivy past a tricky section is massive. We did find that the DS version was a little easier, just because you have more direct control over your vines. The Wii remote requires a very steady hand!
You might take one look at this cute little yellow bird and his arty painted gameworld and wonder why anyone would be excited about a game that looks like it was designed to help babies fall asleep. But there's a very good reason to be excited. Ivy was created by Yuji Naka, the man who gave us Sonic the Hedgehog!
You keep Ivy safe by using the DS stylus or Wii remote to draw vines on the screen. Create a ramp and Ivy runs up it. Twang a vine as she dashes across and she'll be catapulted into the air. It's fast and frantic, and as soon as you play you'll recognise the same intense gaming genius that makes Sonic such a popular character.
Ivy the Kiwi is one of those great little games that takes you by surprise. It's incredibly simply, but that's what makes it so blimmin' addictive - you'll keep coming back for one more go!
