Here’s one to put a dopey smile on your face on an overcast Friday afternoon. Originally released in 2006, but apparently forgotten by everybody, Scribble is an adorable platformer by Japanese indie outfit Sketch-Board. Heavily inspired by HAL’s classic Kirby series, you play as Pen, a cartoon dog on a quest to restore color to the world, and a firm believer that a picture is worth a thousand words. Rather than devour your foes like Kirby, you gain new abilities through far more peaceful means – by getting out your sketchbook and drawing the likeness of your foes. Easier said than done, as they’re trying to kill you as you draw.

As you can see, the art is bright, clear and charming, the music is catchy and the whole thing rather likable. While the game is still in Japanese, all the most important options and menus are thankfully in English and the gameplay is intuitive enough for you to dive right in without any major problems, especially if you’ve ever played a Kirby game. The in-game tutorial and the above video should tell you almost everything you need to know. It’s a pretty sizable romp, too, with 7 worlds each with several levels and a boss to get through.

While there’s some additional complexities along the way – you can change your starting skill loadout at your house/studio and upgrade powers by finding hidden golden paint tubes – it’s a simple, easygoing game and an easy recommendation for anyone who wants something bright and breezy to dig into. Not too hard, either, although you don’t get any abilities as wildly flexible as Kirby’s near-unlimited flight. Oh, and if you’re having trouble finding the download link for the game? Sixth link along on the bottom navigation bar on the site… Or just click here, really.

Thanks to Shark Tower on the Something Awful forums for bringing this game to my attention, and Vysethedetermined2 on Youtube for providing a story translation (see the description page on the video above) and the comprehensive gameplay footage. It’s sad to see a game like this go completely unknown for so long, especially when it’s as polished and universally appealing as this

[Scribble]

-

DIYGamer Holiday Give Away! For each and every article we post we’re giving away an indie game.

This article’s game is A Valley Without Wind for the PC (code is redeemable on the official site), by Arcen Games!

Leave a meaningful comment below to enter into the drawing.