Zen Davis
04-24-2007, 07:34 PM
www.gamerslives.com (http://www.gamerslives.com/) - "If we don't review it, it's not worth playing."
Released throughout the United States on 04/09/07, Super Paper Mario is the newest game in the Paper Mario series that started out on the Nintendo 64. The previous games in the franchise set a high standard for witty dialogue, inspired locations, and great characters. Does this Gamecube game reinvented for the Wii make its predecessors proud?
WHAT’S GOOD
The platforming in the game is among the best since New Super Mario Bros. came out on the D.S. almost eleven months ago. Between the four characters that you're allowed to work with, the controls are tight and intuitive and the gameplay is addictive. You'll spend a few hours simply dawdling around, hopping on enemies to see how many style points as you can score in the game. Each character has their own range of speed and jumps and you'll quickly find your staying with a preferred character of choice.
The game is absolutely hilarious. Between the cast of heroes and villains, everyone shines. Personally, I would reset the game if I came to a portion of text and I was playing as Bowser. His spuer jerk responses are laugh-out loud funny and in my opinion, the best in the game. Mario plays the part of the stoic hero, ala Link, and has no real dialogue in the game apart from the occasional "Okay."
Another great part of the game is the story, which plays in stark contrast to the humor. Although I won't get into spoilers, towards the end, it actually becomes quite moving and interesting. If only there was more...
WHAT'S BAD
Technically, in almost every way, the game is worse than its previous Nintendo Gamecube iternation. The graphics aren't quite as good as Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door, the visuals aren't quite as interesting, the characters aren't quite as memorable, and locations just aren't as inspired. Between Rawk Hawk, TEC, and the Great Gonzales, Super Paper Mario just doesn't have the imagination behind it that Thousand Year Door had and it suffers for it.
Additionally, the game is over before you know it. I wish they would have fleshed out the story a bit more and given us something more to work with. At the end of the game, yes, they've made us care about the characters, but the adventure on the whole feels partially vapid, like there was something more they could have done (and I'm not talking about the ending).
WHAT ELSE
There isn't nearly as much text as people would have you believe., especially if you've run through the previous Paper Mario games. In fact, they might even seem a bit sparse on dialogue if you're huge fans of the Nintendo 64 and Gamecube versions of the franchise. Nevertheless, this is easily the best game currently available on the Nintendo Wii and you should pick it up. I can't wait for the sequel.
GAMEPLAY - 9.5
Tons of fun. Each character offers their quirks of gameplay and they're all interesting in their own way. The puzzles are also quite inspired in conception.
AUDIO - 8.9
I really wished they busted out some of the old-school tunes because it really just is a tease. Otherwise, it's good stuff that helps pull you in the Paper Mario world.
GRAPHICS - 8.7
Great style. Not as great as Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door however and that is inexcusable for a system like the Wii. And man those 3D graphics are bland!
REPLAY - 8.8
Between the cards and hidden recipes, there is still enough to do once you finish the main storyline to warrant a purchase of the game.
OVERALL - 9.2
Released throughout the United States on 04/09/07, Super Paper Mario is the newest game in the Paper Mario series that started out on the Nintendo 64. The previous games in the franchise set a high standard for witty dialogue, inspired locations, and great characters. Does this Gamecube game reinvented for the Wii make its predecessors proud?
WHAT’S GOOD
The platforming in the game is among the best since New Super Mario Bros. came out on the D.S. almost eleven months ago. Between the four characters that you're allowed to work with, the controls are tight and intuitive and the gameplay is addictive. You'll spend a few hours simply dawdling around, hopping on enemies to see how many style points as you can score in the game. Each character has their own range of speed and jumps and you'll quickly find your staying with a preferred character of choice.
The game is absolutely hilarious. Between the cast of heroes and villains, everyone shines. Personally, I would reset the game if I came to a portion of text and I was playing as Bowser. His spuer jerk responses are laugh-out loud funny and in my opinion, the best in the game. Mario plays the part of the stoic hero, ala Link, and has no real dialogue in the game apart from the occasional "Okay."
Another great part of the game is the story, which plays in stark contrast to the humor. Although I won't get into spoilers, towards the end, it actually becomes quite moving and interesting. If only there was more...
WHAT'S BAD
Technically, in almost every way, the game is worse than its previous Nintendo Gamecube iternation. The graphics aren't quite as good as Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door, the visuals aren't quite as interesting, the characters aren't quite as memorable, and locations just aren't as inspired. Between Rawk Hawk, TEC, and the Great Gonzales, Super Paper Mario just doesn't have the imagination behind it that Thousand Year Door had and it suffers for it.
Additionally, the game is over before you know it. I wish they would have fleshed out the story a bit more and given us something more to work with. At the end of the game, yes, they've made us care about the characters, but the adventure on the whole feels partially vapid, like there was something more they could have done (and I'm not talking about the ending).
WHAT ELSE
There isn't nearly as much text as people would have you believe., especially if you've run through the previous Paper Mario games. In fact, they might even seem a bit sparse on dialogue if you're huge fans of the Nintendo 64 and Gamecube versions of the franchise. Nevertheless, this is easily the best game currently available on the Nintendo Wii and you should pick it up. I can't wait for the sequel.
GAMEPLAY - 9.5
Tons of fun. Each character offers their quirks of gameplay and they're all interesting in their own way. The puzzles are also quite inspired in conception.
AUDIO - 8.9
I really wished they busted out some of the old-school tunes because it really just is a tease. Otherwise, it's good stuff that helps pull you in the Paper Mario world.
GRAPHICS - 8.7
Great style. Not as great as Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door however and that is inexcusable for a system like the Wii. And man those 3D graphics are bland!
REPLAY - 8.8
Between the cards and hidden recipes, there is still enough to do once you finish the main storyline to warrant a purchase of the game.
OVERALL - 9.2