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Thursday 21 February, 2008
GAMEPLAY:
After playing a lot more of SMB3, I was able to feel out how the gameplay progresses over time. There is actually a lot of depth to the world map. I find this interesting because this is the first time a Mario game has featured a world map, and I would think that it would be a simple design the first time around and get more advanced in later games. As I kept playing, I found what happens when Mario runs out of lives. I am forced to start over at the beginning of my current world and all the levels reset. However, there are a number of items which helped me pass through the world faster without having to play all the levels. There is a cloud item which lets me pass over a level. I can use a pick to break a rock or a key to unlock a door so shortcuts will open up that let you bypass levels. This, along with the ability to start levels with certain power-ups, adds a new element to the game besides simple platforming. This creates a kind of map management system. There is a good strategy to deciding when to use your items for the maximum benefit and when to look ahead if you have to start at the beginning of the level.
Now that I have spent a lot of time with the game, I have a greater sense of the platforming elements. Like I said before, all the classic platforming elements I am used to are present in this game. The problem is I don’t really know how revolutionary these elements are because I didn’t play the game when it was released. What I can say is that this game is a whole lot of fun and its gameplay is both very simple and complex. Like most good games, it is easy to learn, but difficult to master. The levels I played were not that hard. Even as the game progressed, I could still beat the level if I took it nice and easy. The basic idea of continuously moving right and jump on enemies’ head was apparent from the beginning. However, it is almost impossible to resist the urge to try and beat the level as quickly as possible. Even if no body is watching, I like to show off by running through a level without stopping. And SMB3 allows you to do that. A level could be easy if the player is cautious and careful, or that same level could be much more difficult if the player wants to run through as fast as possible. In this way, Super Mario Brothers 3 offers variety in gameplay and replayability, both of which are qualities great games have.
DESIGN
Like I previously stated, SMB3 contains many elements which make a great game. However, what makes this game itself great? I know for one that this game was very built up when it was released. Super Mario Brothers was already a huge success and SMB3 was the true successor. I couldn’t help but note all the improvements from SMB when playing the game. Besides the improvements in graphics and presentation I spoke of earlier, I noted how the gameplay itself evolved. The control and the play itself stayed mostly the same, but the designers added a slew of new objects into the mix which gave so much more to the gameplay. The music note boxes for example allow the player to make huge jumps previously unseen in the past titles. I guess what I am trying to say is, why should the designers change the gameplay that already worked in SMB? Players want to see more of what they fall in love with. But players don’t want exactly the same game either. SMB3 is a great example of gameplay which is not basically modified, but greatly improved. That’s what I define as a great sequel.
But while SMB3 may be a great sequel, why is it a great game? I’m sure there are a lot of people who haven’t played SMB. One difference I noticed is that there is no way to save in SMB3. You can keep continuing if you die, but you cannot save the game unless you are playing a later version. Like I said before, there are a lot of items which can create shortcuts and skip levels and even worlds. One of the great things about this game is replayability. Playing for the first time, I could only try to beat the levels as best as I could. But I do know there are a lot of shortcuts hidden around. By experience and word of mouth, I could eventually find these secrets which increase my skill at playing the game. This increases the social appeal of the game. It encourages players to play in pairs or groups, and share information. Again, this gives the game more and more replayability, unlike other single player games which are played once or twice. What also makes this game great is that it is fun and easy to learn. As said before, the jumping mechanic and the opening levels are very easy to pick up. But what makes this game a masterpiece is how deep it is at the same time. There is a lot to the levels, there is a lot to the world map and there is a lot to the gameplay. There just is a lot to Super Mario Brothers 3.
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