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ucscdude's Super Mario 64 (N64)
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| [February 23, 2007 10:52:58 AM]
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For my second entry I will discuss some aspects of the game play that expose themselves after more then an hour of play.
First most, I realised that there is a considerable amount of puzzle solving. I felt like the first few stars I recieved were based just on my ability to control Mario, for example the race with the Koomba in level 1.
Now, I need to determine where the additional stars are and its starting to force me to think.
# How does the game create conflict?
In my first log most of the conflict was between me and the controller. I found the hardest part of the game to be making Mario do what I wanted such as avoid falling rocks and jumping. Now that I have become better at controlling Mario the trouble is finding the stars.
# How does the game keep the player interested?
I am still very interested in the game because I really want to unlock the next levels so that I can play and experiance the new worlds. I know there really fun because I played this game years ago but I still am eager to try them again.
# What would you change about the game? What was frustrating?
I honestly think this game is nearly perfect. If I was to change something I think I would add the ability to selected more then one Characters for game play. I would like to be able to play as Luigi or Toad. Also I would like it if Yoshi played a larger role in the game. I like how Yoshi was involved in Super Mario for the SNES.
# What ideas does this game give you for your own game project?
This game reminds me of how fun it is to just play with a game rather then always be pursuing your goals. Im my own game I think I am going to work on and give the players more of a ability to play with the mechanics of the game rather then be so bombarded by enemies that they have no time.
# How did you respond to the game's reward structure?
I really enjoy the reward structure of the game. Not because I wanted to get more stars. I really do not care about the stars. I enjoy being able to access new levels. I also really want to gain the ability to fly and I know I can do that If I keep playing.
# What kind of social interactions did you have with other players? With bystanders?
No other people played the game with me and so I did not experience any social interaction. This is one aspect of the game I dislike. Its very much a single player game. While Mario 64 achieves this very well I think that if It was a split screen 2 player game then it would be much more fun.
# Your thoughts on the game's use of cutscenes
I felt like the cutscenes were just a way of showing off the N64s 3d graphics and so I ignored them.
In the end this is a great game that I will continue to play. 2 hours of game play is not enough to fully enjoy this great game.
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| [February 23, 2007 10:41:29 AM]
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After watching Super Mario 64 being played in class I just could not resist the temptation to try the game out for myself.
# our thoughts on the characters in the game
The first thing I noticed upon playing the game is that in the introduction menu there is a large 3d image of Mario. This image is animated and appears to show off the N64s 3d capabilities while also allowing me to feel some kind of connection with Mario. As the game play went on I noticed that I really wanted to avoid injuring Mario. Not because I didnt want to lose life but because it just seemed wrong. I guess I care about Mario.
# Your thoughts on the game's story, and narrative progression
I sort of ignored the story although through the interactions with Toad I was able to discover a little bit. I think the game presents the story in a nice quite way that does not burden the player with having to understand it.
# Your thoughts on the gameplay
The game play is amazing. The court yard area infront of the castle entertained me for the first 25 minutes of game play. The phyics of the game are realistic and yet still fun. I love just jumping around and making Mario do tricks. I also like swimming. In the levels with in the game I found the gameplay to be so fun I was a distraction from level completion. I honestly have as much fun making Mario jump around and shoot out of the cannon as I do gaining a star.
# Your thoughts on innovative elements of the game
As I mentioned before, an interesting aspect of the game I found enjoyable was the cannons. There is just something cool about being shot out of a cannon. I also liked how the game allows you to aim the cannon in a special view. Its funny becuase everything in the game is fun to me because I have alot of experience with the Mario series. The game presents features such as Goombas and Toad in a nice 3d way and this is really cool.
# What design elements make this a good (or bad) game?
The open ended way the game is played to be makes it a much better game. I really enjoy playing games where you have the option of doing almost anything. Linear game play from level to level such as that in Super Mario Brothers 1 is much less fun then the open ended style exhibited in Mario 64.
# Your thoughts on the level design in the game
I suppose level design is where the game really shines. It is in fact a platformer and this becomes appearent from the level design. Some aspects of level design seem unrealisting such as floating islands but I forgive it. Its a Mario game after all.
And so after a solid hour of game play I have just scratched the surface of this complex and very enjoyable game.
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ucscdude's Super Mario 64 (N64)
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Current Status: Playing
GameLog started on: Friday 23 February, 2007
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