digibutter.nerr

[Yellow Magikoopa]

I've had this game for quite a while now, and decided to start playing through it again after finding it collecting dust in the back of my closet. So, after playing through the game a full 3 times, hers' my review.

Graphics - 8.0

You'd think I would give the game a bad rating in this category since it's sprite-based instead of many other Mario titles on the DS. But no, I'm actually glad they used sprites. The DS's 3D is just too rough, and I really can't imagine a Mario & Luigi games using 3D. Bleh. Anyhoo, this is pretty much sprites at their finest. Looks so much better than the prequel; you can hardly see the pixels.

Gameplay - 9.0

Same old terrific battle system, It combines turn-based RPGs with Action RPGs. Basically, you make your move, given a choice of two methods of basic attack and the option of bros. items. There are also healing items and the "Run away" command. What's odd about this is that there is no MP/SP/whatever in this game, but the special moves come as items themselves. After you're dona attacking, it's time for the enemy's turn(Or vice versa, depending on the combatants' speed). This isn't an old-style RPG where the enemy just attacks and they're done. Far from it. Each enemy has their own means of attacking, and give hints in their movements as to who they're attacking, and how it can be dodged or countered. It can be really complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's really nifty. Heh heh... "nifty".

Then there's the overworld gameplay, which is okay, I guess. Nothing special. It uses the Mario series' specialty, allowing ? blocks and jumping on enemies to get an advantage in battle. Other than that, it's pretty much the same old, same old.

Difficulty - N/A

How easy or hard this game will be depends entirely on the person playing it. If you're a patient person who will be willing to defeat most overworld enemies they see, you'll do just fine. If not, there will be moments where you're completely at the mercy of lady luck. Be sure to train! Oh, and buy lots of items between sections of the game(When you're at Peach's Castle).

Characters - 8.5

The character design in this game was really clever and perky. I mean, Tanoombas, Snoozorbs, Koopaleon, and the Shroobs were awesome enemies. Kylie Koopa and Stuffwell were interesting NPC characters. Although I thought it was lame that Shroobs couldn't speak proper English (Or any at all, for that matter). The bosses were interesting and colorful.

Length - 6.5

The only flaw in this game was that it was too damn short. Compared to the first Mario & Luigi, upon beating the game, I was scratching my head thinking "What? Is that it? Game over?". I mean, the game is broken into sections, a lot like the chapters in Paper Mario except the sections are each a little shorter. Basically, there are 7 parts of the game, including the final battle. But bear in mind that each section is relatively short, and with skill, you'll fly by each with ease. Point spoken, I stand by my opinion that it's just too short for its own good.Even AFTER the bonus epilogue battle...

Storyline - 8.0

Basically, evil aliens called Shroobs have laid their filthy eyes on Plit, and went on ahead attacking the helpless kingdom. Now guess who has to go save the past. If you didn't know by now, you can just stop reading this right now. The whole idea of traveling to the past was just a gimmick, all the characters from the past could just be brought to the present from the start. Anyway, the storyline was meh most of the game through, but around the end of the 6th section (Star Shrine) and the end of the 7th section (Castle Shroob), The game reveals a major plot twist that had me on the edge of my seat. Pretty good compared to the bland story of the first 5 or so sections. This game is also a lot darker than the first one, just for a heads up. Toads actually die in this game. ;~;

Overall - 8.5

This is a great game for long rides in the car, although I'm not so sure you'll still be playing it on the way back, due to length issues. Still, once you start this bad boy up, you'll get sucked in immediately once you start fighting baddies. If you don't have this game, enjoy RPGs, and have about 30 bucks to burn, go ahead and pick this guy up.

And there's my review. Yay for me.

[Alexio]

This game is like Paper Mario, right? I have the game collecting dust, but I don't feel like playing it >_>.

[Bugboy]

You didn't include the music/sound.
I loved the boss music and the Elder Princess Shroob (second stage/form) music.

[Mariofan9]

That's a pretty good review. I really really like this game; better then part two, I must admit.

[MarioMario]

Speaking of the game's predecessors, did anyone get the secret bros attacks in Superstar saga?

[Kirby]

[Yellow Magikoopa]

[Zelnor]

ROM get. *feels guilty*

[Light Prognosticus]

I love that game, but I deleted all my data... Final boss' pretty easy at level 55. All of them: 10 minutes.

[MarioMario]

[Kirby]

[Typhoon™]