An overlooked and satisfying old-school platformer with outstanding graphics.
Don't let the license fool you - this game could easily stand on its own without the cutesy characters. It requires skill and rewards thought and perseverance, while still allowing a way out for those who want to muddle through the game at a minimum level of competence.
The game map is reminiscent of Super Mario World and New Super Mario Bros. There are four main worlds (seasons), each with its own themed levels and touch-screen minigame.
The minigames I've seen so far are good for what they are, but what raises this game above the crowd are the ordinary levels.
Each of these levels holds various Mario- and Sonic-style environmental hazards, along with a lower enemy count than is usual in those games.
This is because Strawberry is a pacifist - foes must be avoided, not disposed of.
In lieu of an attack, she has a standard platformer jump and the ability to blow bubbles. These bubbles are aimed a-la Bust-a-Move, and are used to allow access to various parts of the environment - most often by shooting them at a peppermint 'peg' to form a makeshift trampoline.
One catch is that you can only hold three bubble charges at a time, and bubble refills are few and far between.
Make no mistake - this game can be difficult. It's not exactly Contra 4, but it has absolutely no hesitation about dropping you back to the beginning of the level if you make a mistake... or chase a strawberry in the wrong fashion.
That's the secondary goal of each level, see - not just to get to the end, but to collect all the strawberries in each level. What's more, unlike the recent and more forgiving Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, you have to get them all in one go for it to count. Missed one strawberry out of twenty? Too bad. You'll have to get the other 19 as well, on the next run through, if you want a perfect score.
The same holds with lives - three strikes, and you're out... or back to a halfway marker a-la Super Mario World, at best.
The environmental hazards can be very clever, and the levels have a puzzle-like feel to them.
This is a very pretty game. That's a compliment, AND a warning. I did say pretty, not 'nice' or 'handsome'. There are a lot of pastels in use here, and you'll spend much of your time bouncing off candy and jumping over adorable woodland creatures. (Okay, so the piranha isn't adorable.)
Still, if you can get past that, this is one of the best-looking 2D games on the DS, in the same league as New Super Mario Bros.
Sound is... okay. Sweet and non-intrusive. Fans of the license might wince at the game's take on the new theme song, but it's better than the MIDI of yesteryear.
All in all, this game reminds me of the original Prince of Persia - in its own time, that was a beautiful, thoughtful platformer with few enemies and unforgiving environmental hazards. The prince didn't have that many tricks up his sleeve, but it was incredibly satisfying to use those that were available, and triumph over the castle's puzzles.
The same is true of Strawberry Shortcake: The Four Seasons Cake.
If you are a DS owner and have been missing that sort of gameplay, at its current price point buying this should be a no-brainer... as long as you don't mind pink.