So have you ever had an interesting idea for something, only to have it turn
out disappointing and not quite as expected? If so, then you will be able to
really relate to Graffiti Kingdom. The game is ostensibly a platformer, but in
reality it is a concept in search of a game.
The concept in this case is the ability to design your own character, and I
don’t mean by mixing and matching a few hair styles and outfits. The game comes
with its own set of drawing tools that let you create a character out of a
connected geometry of shapes that you draw and color as you like. There’s not
really a need for much artistic talent here as the game starts you off with
creatures such as bears or little bouncing balls that you can expand upon with
your own additions or customizations. Add an extra arm, spikes, or a big flower
just by drawing them on your creature. The game even presents you with several
objects that resemble the one you just drew in case one of them is closer to
what you actually tried to draw. It’s all actually pretty easy and I was able to
quickly turn my walking teddy bear into a cuddly version of Wolverine, complete
with claws and a belt with an X on it. As the game progresses you get access to
new abilities, allowing you to add wings to make your creature fly or wheels to
allow it to scoot along at high speed. Once you’ve made your way deep into the
game, the creature design options are really varied and give you plenty of
variety to design a really unique creation.
OK, that’s the pretty cool part of the game. Things start to go downhill when
you actually get to use your creation. Surrounding this character creation
utility is a bizarre (but not in a good way) and really pretty basic platformer
that won’t keep you playing the game once the novelty wears off.
Let’s start with the game’s story, which is a mix of the standard “kingdom in
trouble” platform storyline and an attempt to somehow work the drawing aspect
into the game. It seems that there was a peaceful kingdom that was one day
sieged by a demon and his forces. Special wizards used the “power of graffiti”
to save the day and imprison the demon within the castle. (Next time you get
angry at a tagger for defacing public property, remember that he may one day
save you from a demon.) Fast-forward to the present and all is well in our
kingdom until the mischievous princess finds an old graffiti wand and uses it to
create something that looks like a cross between a cat and a blackboard eraser
that will be your constant companion and guide through the game. The princesses’
next creation is a bouncing ball which through a series of misfortunate bounces
lands on the demon – who seems to have been relegated to the role of a
wall-hanging in the basement. The ball frees the demon of course and he
immediately sets off to rule the kingdom again. In short order he transforms the
peaceful kingdom into a twisted realm and plops his very own castle into the
middle. Now you won’t see this next part coming: it is up to you to go into the
castle to defeat the demon and his minions, thus restoring your kingdom.
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