A kids’ game for everyone

I seem to say this a lot when I write my reviews, but it holds true with this one – there’s a lot of games that come out that I had never heard of before, but when I play them, find myself wondering how I stumbled upon such a simple but fun experience. In all instances, Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan is not meant for me, but I still found myself enjoying most of it and all the life lessons the game had to offer.

Billy finds himself having to bring color back to the World of Imagination after the villainous Leviathan sucks all the color out of it turning the inhabitants into angry, self-doubting beings that Billy must encourage and befriend in order to have them accept their faults and feelings to color them back up. He teams up with an entire gallery of friends from the talking fishing pole named Rodrigo to a tugboat named Friend-Ship.

Platforms: PC, Xbox, PS, Switch
MSRP: $29.99
Price I’d pay: $29.99

If this sounds like something out of a Nickelodeon cartoon, you’d be right. In fact, everything about this game screams children’s show. It’s kid-friendly in every aspect. Players control Billy as he platforms his way through different areas and getting into turn-based confrontations with enemies he will turn into friends. It gives off a very Paper Mario feel while also conveying an Undertale tone. Battles play out with figuring out what is bothering the enemy. Billy can listen to what they have to say and use that information to “Talk” to them. Picking the right thing to say will reveal the colors that are required to fill up their color meter to talk them down from fighting. Billy then uses his friends to “attack” and recolor the enemy. These attacks are then played out via a short minigame like a rhythm action game, a slot machine, or even a breakout style game. They’re short and simple and never too difficult. The battles get more complex as the game moves on especially in the boss fights, but it is never something that is too complicated.

This is for a good reason. This is a game targeted towards kids. The art style pulls in that direction, but the story and situations really nail it home. Enemies are not evil; they’re just going through something like one may want to not show weakness because they want to protect the ones they love. Another may be self-conscious of their appearance and don’t want to get close to anyone in fear they will be made fun of. Of course, Billy and Rodrigo are there to reassure them that its ok to feel the way they do and that no one is going to make fun or judge them. They push this Mr. Rogers stance in every situation, and it really feels genuine. There are some thoughtful and good moments here to actually warmed my heart.

Aside from the confrontations, Rainbow Billy also has platforming and puzzle solving while running around the world. Billy travels the land via Friend-Ship and explores areas with Rodrigo solving issues and puzzles. All of which are never difficult. There are some decent puzzles that require some timing, but I was never stumped while playing. This is perfect for the younger players. If there was an issue I had, it would be that some of the platforming can be spotty when clipping with a ledge and not being able to see when I would land at times. The game has a 2.5D look to it and there were times I missed some jumps, but since the game is so forgiving, Billy was just transported back to when he jumped off.

Rainbow Billy took me by surprise. The art style was cutesy, the combat was simple, the puzzles never overly challenging, and the story content was very warm and fuzzy and they were perfect for me. It was a breath of fresh air I didn’t know I needed, and this is easily one of those perfect games that a parent and child can sit down together and have a great time while learning some of the great golden rules of friendship and acceptance. It’s crazy to think this game hooked me the way it did, but I really can’t suggest it enough. Even if you’re like me, a 35-year-old childless husband, you may very well find yourself have a good time with it.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.