Kung Fu Rabbit / Version Played: WiiU
Neko Entertainment / WiiU / April 18th / RRP $6.50
Kung Fu Rabbit was originally released on iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows 7 devices last year. Neko Entertainment have now ported the game to the WiiU eShop. The story surrounds itself around a rabbit who practises Kung Fu who goes on a quest to save all the baby rabbits who have been abducted by unknown invaders. There isn’t much narrative going on but the premise is pretty easy to grasp.
The game was praised heavily for its graphics when it originally came out on mobile devices. The graphics are even better in HD on the WiiU. Everything is extremely vibrant and crisp and the variety of level locations is easily the best thing about the game. It is a visual treat from start to finish and will melt your heart with its cuteness.
Kung Fu Rabbit features 3 worlds consisting of 20 levels each and another bonus world which is made up of harder levels which also features 20 levels. The goal of the game is to get through a number of obstacles to rescue a baby rabbit. Early on in the game this seems like an easy task but as the game rolls on, it grows extremely hard due to the fact that you do not have any checkpoints within levels unless you purchase them.
The main challenge comes in the form of collecting carrots. Each level features 3 small carrots and 1 golden carrot. The golden carrot is always the riskiest to get and the game plays greatly on the risk vs reward mechanic. The carrots you collect are used as currency to buy things such as single use items which include things like being able to set a checkpoint and another slot for artefacts which are new abilities such as being able to jump higher. Whilst this adds a bit of depth to the game, these are not required to complete the game which makes it a tad pointless. I wish that the game integrated new abilities into the progression of the game to keep things fresh.
The game controls very loosely. Whilst this is frustrating at times, it adds to the tension and definitely gives the game a steeper learning curve in in being able to control Kung Fu Rabbit. I think that a lot of people will not enjoy the controls however i’d urge you stick with it as I found it extremely satisfying when grabbing that final carrot. Off TV works without any hitches and the game controls better than it ever did on mobile devices.
I can’t help but feel that this game would’ve been better suited to the 3DS. Whilst it plays and looks amazing on the WiiU, I just can’t help but feel that I would’ve enjoyed the game so much more if I was able to flip open my 3DS, play a few levels and then come back to it a few hours later. I’m not sure that you will want to turn your WiiU on just to play a few levels. It definitely feels like the game was created with short bursts of play in mind.
Kung Fu Rabbit is definitely rough around the edges in most regards except the graphics department. However for $6.50, the simplicity of the gameplay and it’s quirky, charming art style draw you in from the first second and will keep you hooked to the point where you will definitely have that just one more level attitude. I just wish that there was a bit more substance to the overall game but it’s some of the best fun you will have at this price.
