Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Bros. takes everything that made its predecessor so majestic and throws in a brand new crazy storyline full to the brim with thrills, spills, and stacks of hilarity. In the midst of such sterling efforts on 3DS lately, AlphaDream's latest really deserves to shine bright.
...while the comparison to its predecessor does it few favours, rest assured that Dream Team Bros’ additions and curiously entertaining battles do enough to reawaken the desire to see this adventure through to the end.
...Dream Team's shotgun blast of diverse gameplay types meld together into a well-crafted, complimentary package, constantly pushing you forward in a quest to find out what next awaits. And the biggest compliment we can pay? That it leaves you wishing all RPG sequels were as ready to ditch convention.
This is an enjoyable but rarely essential entry to the Mario & Luigi suite, then. AlphaDream is to be commended for its willingness to build each new game around a different kernel of an idea, but, perhaps inevitably, some of those ideas will be smaller than others.
Mario and Luigi Dream Team has great moments, but they’re almost always confined to its psychedelic dream sections, which teem with imagination and invention. Consequently I always found myself enjoying these sections far more than its overworld exploration, turn-based combat, and more traditional RPG elements. It's an uneven experience, but occasionally it grasps greatness, making it a worthy addition to an already distinguished series.
In the hands of Mario & Luigi enthusiasts and those up for an epic but light-hearted quest, this is an indispensable must-have for the 3DS. In a universe apart from any other series starring the famous brothers, this once again shows the merits of a studio investing itself whole-heartedly not just in one game, but a whole franchise.
The experience is rock solid, except for the slow burn in the first few hours and a sometimes-disappointing 3D effect. For the rest, you will find great enjoyment in the various gameplay elements, abilities and clever ways the game progresses. It is a fun filled adventure through and through, which should keep you occupied for a long time. Best entry in the series yet? Without a doubt. But it also appeals to newcomers, making it an easy recommendation for anyone.
