Just for the record I am a huge Nintendo Fan, Mario, Zelda, Metroid anything that has Nintendo’s name on it, I am a fan of. This being a game published by Nintendo as well as a game in the Mario series, I do expect a lot from it. For those of you who do not know or have never played a game in the Mario RPG series (Superstar Saga, Partners in Time) this is defiantly not a series that takes it self seriously;
it will poke fun at itself and has always had a sense of charm that made me really enjoy the series. Will this game have the same charm and uniqueness the previous titles had?
Synopsis
Due to unknown reasons toads form the Mushroom Kingdom have been getting infected by the mysterious blorbs, this causes the toads to inflate to monstrous proportions. Eventually you find out that the cause has been the evil Fawful feeding the toad’s blorb mushrooms. As Bowser is on the way to Peach’s castle Fawful feeds him a different mushroom that makes him able to inhale immensely. One thing leads to another and Bowser eventually ends up inhaling Mario and Luigi, while Bowser tries to get back to his castle to save it do to Fawful’s threats, Mario and Luigi try to figure out a way our of there greatest enemy of all.
The Good
The first thing you notice in this game is something that is a standard to all Nintendo games – great music, it is refreshing and has a kind of variety that you will never get bored of. Some of the beats are remixes of the classic Mario songs where as the new ones are catchy and cheerful.The main gameplay feature is obviously the dual element of the game. While playing as Mario and Luigi it is a side scrolling platformer but while playing as Bowser on the land it is more of an adventure game. This keeps the game fresh and I never found a time where I felt playing it was a chore. It also combines the two elements in the game in a way that the Mario Bros and Bowser will have to work together. For example when Bowser has to pull an island to shore, Mario & Luigi must go to Bowser’s arm muscles in order to give him enough strength to pull it.
The battles use the same active/turned based battle system that we saw as early as Paper Mario. If an enemy attacks you, depending on your timing you can end up damaging the enemy and be left without a scratch or pressing the A button at exactly the right time in order to inflict more damage to your enemy. My favorite aspect of the battle system is that you get to fight as Bowser, which is one of the best experiences I have had in a Mario game. It adds something and new and unique and find my self purposely trying to find battles while I’m playing as him. The action commands really make the person playing the game have to pay attention, which is a good aspect if you are the type of gamer who does not have the patience to play a regular turn based RPG.
Another thing that complements the battle system very well is that while Bowser is in a battle he has the option to inhale some enemies, when he does this its switches to Mario & Luigi Fighting the enemy in Bowser’s body. You can use a very strategic approach and inhale an enemy that you thing the Mario Bros. would be better against then Bowser is.
One thing this series has always had was its great dialog; it manages to make jokes that will appeal to adults and kids alike. Some of the jokes in this game genuinely made me laugh and that is a very rare thing especially in a game that is rated E.
Finally, the characterization in general is great in this game. The new characters you meet in the game fit perfectly in the Mario world and always make you laugh in a direct way or indirectly all together.
The Bad
The one bad thing about this game has very little effect on the experience of the game. The minute problem is that while exploring as Bowser there is little challenge at all, but the fact that there are puzzles while playing, as the Mario Bros. inside Bowser is completely satisfying. Also you’re playing as Bowser, how many puzzles could he possibly solve?
Recommendations
So does this game have the same charm and uniqueness the previous titles had? The answer to that would be a resounding yes. This game holds up to what the previous titles did and exceeds them; this game aims for what it wants to be and hits the target right on. This game manages to appeal to both the casual and the core gamer, which is an amazing feat in the gaming industry these days. AlphaDream managed to make a game that could be seen as directed to children but appeals very well to adults as well.
I would defiantly recommend you pick up this game if you are a fan of RPGs, Mario or if your looking for a genuinely fun and unique experience on your DS. With the hilarious dialog, the jokes being executed at the exact right time, a story that keeps you at the edge of your seet and the amazing gameplay you will not be disappointed.
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