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Friday 8 February, 2008
GAMEPLAY
The story driving this game is typical Mario Bros. Basically Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach and its up to our hero Mario to save her. This is basically what every Mario Game has been; Saving Princess Peach. Although this game does make it interesting in having to collect stars in order to access different levels in search of the Princess.
But here's a summary of some of the things I've enjoyed:
The easy control Scheme. As I said in the last log, this control scheme is great. Its pretty reminiscint of Super Mario Bros on the NES where only A and B were used. I also believe that using the analog stick is the only way to play a 3D game like Super Mario 64, using the D-pad would be pretty ridiculous. How would I spin Bowser by the tail so nicely without the little stick? So the Control Scheme is wonderful.
The different Caps. There's a Flying Cap, a invisibility/zero mass cap, and a metal cap. The flying cap makes it so you can fly. This is reminiscint of the leaf in Super Mario Bros 3, or the feather in Super Mario World. The invisibility/Zero Mass cap is a new feature, at least I dont remember seeing anything similar to it. You basically are invisible and can go through certain objects with this cap, be it walls, obstacles, or some enemies. With the Metal Cap, you become a metallic Mario with a high density. Metal Mario sinks when in water, doesn't get burned, doesn't get hurt, and doesn't need to breathe. This is important in certain areas, such as the gas maze (where breathing the gas depletes life) in one of the levels.
Some of the things I haven't enjoyed so much:
The Camera. As I stated earlier, and what still remains true, the camera angles suck sometimes. I'm told by the camera crew ingame that I have full control of the camera. If they are truly going to give me control of the camera, give me full 360 degree control. If I can't make the camera face how I want, then give me zero control. Otherwise all that arises is frustration. And that's happened a few times.
The caps have have a limited time period. I was kinda dissapointed by this. But it does make sense. This is the first game to introduce a life system. Where before Mario could be hit depending on what item he had. If he had just a mushroom, he could get hit twice before dying. If he had fire or flying powers, he could get hit a max 3 times. This was of course assuming no items were used before. But now they are temporary. Although this adds a new element where a certain objective must be completed before the times up. But I still like being able to fly as I please.
DESIGN
First and foremost, this is a very well made game. The levels are all varied, and are interesting to play. There are levels in an ice world, water world, lava world, desert world, and combinations of these. There's also a level where you fight ghosts. The earlier levels had levels dedicated to certain elements, but as the game progresses these different levels are combined in certain ways. It could very well be that the first levels served as tutorials, or that as in any good game, they increased difficulty by combining different elements, or rules. Almost like in a game of emergence.
The challenges have been good ones thus far. Each level, or course, is broken up into 6 challenges, seven if you count having to find 100 coins. There's races, having to find red coins, fighting sub-bosses, and other challenges according to the course. My favorite kind so far have been the ones where I get to punch stuff. Be it enemies, or objects.
Aside from Camera angles, there isn't anything I would change about this game. Perhaps making it easier to get extra lives. Since chasing the 1-up mushrooms is a bit difficult. That and make it a two-player game. Sort of similar to Super Mario Bros 3, and Super Mario World. It would be kinda difficult though. Otherwise, I feel this game was solidly made.
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