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Aug 23rd, 2009 at 18:20:08 - Super Mario Sunshine (GC) |
SUMMARY
Super Mario Sunshine is a 3D platformer set on Isle Delfino, where a Mario look-alike has been coating the island in graffiti and goop. Assisted by FLUDD, the Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device, you must control Mario to wash off the vandalism and chase down the vandal. The goop covers and hides enemies, island citizens, and even whole buildings. Using Mario's moves and FLUDD's water, explore the entire island, defeat bosses, wash off the goop and defeat the perpetrator who has been making the mess!
GAMEPLAY
I got this game back in 2002, when it was the latest and greatest Gamecube creation from Microsoft. Its graphics still impress me, even today. The graphics (especially of the water) and the mechanics of the goop and water particles are still very impressive, even compared to today's latest games.
One of the first things you see is the novel load screen. Rather than the typical menus, it has three typical Mario floating boxes labeled 1, 2 and 3, and you control Mario by moving left/right and jumping. When you jump up and hit a box, it selects that box to load.
The start of the game has an expected cutscene, followed by a short walk to get accustomed to the controls and then more cutscenes to establish the plot. After that, however, you're left to do as you please on the island. It is never unclear what the next step in the game is, thanks to a cutscene after every major event, but you're never required to take that next step until you want to. I like these types of games, because I am more of an explorer type. I like casually wandering the island, talking to people, figuring out little fun minigames and other activities before going on my way.
For example, there are a few fruit stands. You can pick up the fruit and carry it around, and throw it. If you throw it in the water, it disappears. When you throw it, it bounces against walls and the ground. One type of fruit cannot be picked up, but can be kicked like a soccer ball. So I had a lot of fun taking that fruit and kicking it around, trying to get it across bodies of water and up staircases and even onto roofs of houses. It's a challenge in the game that is not expressly stated, does not have a real objective or checkpoint, but I find fun to explore and play with, like a toy.
But after actually getting to the storyline, I played through a couple stages, defeated a couple bosses... I very much enjoyed exploring the new stages, but the bosses were very easy. It may have been in part due to my past experience of the game (though I didn't remember too much), but I think it's more because the game seems aimed towards all ages, and it should start off easy and get harder as I progress. So in this case, I think the experience will improve in my next game session.
One small note, from a game design perspective: I think the citizens of Isle Delfino should have been made more vital to the story. They stand in one spot, and when you run up to them and press B, they make a small sound effect and then display some text on the screen, usually funky dialog that has no significance to gameplay, like "Oh no! There's goop over there!" I enjoy games where the people actually have something interesting or witty to say, or where you can gain something from talking to them (an incentive to actually talk to them) but in this case, as far as I can tell, they may as well be scenery.
So overall the game is as fun as I remember, and I look forward to the next session!
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