"Is this a game drawn to amuse? I believe not."

These days, it is clear that the Nintendo DS is one of the most original handheld consoles ever created. Featuring wireless functions, a microphone and, perhaps even more important, a tactile screen, most of the original games released for this console tend to be rather unique, presenting players with possibilities that just couldn't be happening in any other system. ”Drawn to Life” is one of those unique games.

As soon as the game starts you're asked to play as god, meaning that you should draw a round world, some trees and some more things, as part of a creation plan. This sequence was included a simple introduction to the actual adventure, but it provides a small insight on what you can expect from the rest of the game - a lot of drawing, which you should perform using this console's lower screen.

Shortly after that introduction sequence, you'll get to draw your main character (which you can change later on) and hear all about the storyline. Basically, “The Creator”, a god-like figure that is constantly referred to, appears to have abandoned the inhabitants of this planet, generally called Raposas (which means “foxes”). So, after being introduced to the game, it is easy to understand that you'll be playing as such divine figure, trying to solve the many problems that Raposas seem to have, improving their living conditions and trying to retrieve the many inhabitants that have left the (initially unnamed) city.

So far, this may sound like one of the most original experiences available in this console, but this is exactly where things start to decay. Apart from the many drawing moments that the game has to offer, it is filled with uninspired gameplay moments. Sequences taking place in the main town serve as nothing more than an excuse for more platform levels, which have usually nothing to do with the actual requests. You need a sun to light your town? Complete a certain level to gather a page from the “Book of Life”. You need clouds? Complete some other level, and so on.

Once in a while there are small deviations to the stated formula, but usually you're merely asked to do tasks that, in one way or another, lead you to collect four pieces of paper that originally came from the “Book of Life”. This could be mildly interesting, if each stage wasn't too big and uninteresting. Be aware that even though each stage is three or four times bigger than those available in classical “Super Mario Bros.” titles, they are way easier, merely making you jump a few times on top of some enemy's head, hitting foes with projectiles, tapping doors to open them or climbing on top of the many platforms and pieces of scenario available.

Once in a while, you're asked to draw things that allow you to proceed further in a level, such as clouds or big plants. However, unlike it happens in many other platforms games, here the required switches (which, in this game, come in form of drawings that you need to make) are placed too near the points that require them, making it easier for everyone to figure it all out, turning these stages into astonishingly easy areas. Apart from up to four pieces of a particular “Book of Life” page, which are needed to complete a stage, you can also save three missing Raposas and gather three secret items, but part of such appeal is lost when you notice that all of these things are basically put in your path, requiring barely any exploration at all.

Town sequences, which take place between stages, aren't very interesting either, and they are a strong hint that this game may be aimed at less experienced players. When the character you've designed walks around down, he simply has to accomplish very basic tasks, such as heading to a particular place or finding where a certain character is. There are also times where you have to perform minor tasks using the stylus, such as knocking on a house or dragging certain objects, but those are rare and not that amusing. Probably since this (still) wasn't easy enough, creators even added short messages after each conversation, which tell you exactly what you're supposed to do.

Concerning the few mini-games available here, they suffer from the same problem as the previously mentioned sequences, constantly failing to capture the player's interest. One is seen shortly after completing the first few levels, and it turns out being quite disappointing – you just have to hit each member of your town with three snowballs, while attempting to dodge their own attacks on your character, which is harder than it may seem.

Ultimately, this game's biggest appeal turns out being the ability to draw most of the game's environment by yourself. Usually, you get to draw platforms and plants (among many other things) in any way you like, but there are also times where you simply have to colour what's already drawn. This mostly happens when you have to use any kind of vehicles to get somewhere else, such as submarines or a whale, which are already drawn but still need to be painted. With this title's appeal relying only on such details, the final result tends to be harshly conditioned by how much you like to draw. One can simply paint every area with a narrow pallet, composed by unappealing blocks of the same colour, or design every part of the scenario as an incredible masterpiece. It all depends on the player himself, one what he wants to do and how good he is at such a task.

While there a few templates you can use for the main character (not everyone is a perfect artist, and they seem to have thought about that), like Santa Claus, random humans or weird creatures, all other parts of the game require you to draw and/or paint, which may be hard if you're not as skilled as they want you to be. Eventually, those who aren't very skilled in the area may end up colouring all areas with a single pattern, making this game lose part of its appeal.

Such dependence in the drawing factor tends to be even more important when it comes to replay value. It may take you quite a while to complete the game, mostly because of the long (and boring) platforms levels, but once you do it I doubt you'll feel any interest in ever replaying this game. This is a common problem in most titles of the platform genre, but relying so much in a single of the game's functions doesn't make it any more pleasant, and those who want a long, enjoyable, gameplay experience would better stay away from this game.
Sure, there's a small multiplayer mode, but since it requires several copies of this cart, it may be hard to find someone to share your experience with.

Graphically, the game has no major flaws. All animations are fluid, there are barely any glitches and the resolution is more than fair, with a few minor problems coming from the things you have to draw – it turns out being possible to walk across some of your drawings, and the main character, a 2D figure, constantly looks at the screen while moving in a strangely rigid way, which looks bad and seems unfitting to the overall environment of the game.

While there are no voice overs included in the game, it has incredible music and great sound effects. Unlike what happens with many titles released these days, here you'll actually feel compelled to listen to the music. Besides, every sound effect appears to perfectly fit the place it is included in. This is probably the game's biggest feat, as it exceeds all expectations in terms of hearable content.

Unfortunately, this original title turns out being one that only appeals to a very limited group of people. Unless you're a skilled artist who wants to put his skills into an unusual game, I strongly advise you against purchasing this game, since you may find its most important feature to be rather disappointing. If you're looking for a platform title, this same console has quite a few that may better suit your needs.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 09/28/07

Game Release: Drawn to Life (EU, 09/21/07)