Rate top gamesI was skeptical of the general consensus on this one since i played it so much as a kid, but I must have been a dumb kid because this is really lackluster.
Exploration is all but non-existent, side quests literally don't exist, combat is so basic and currency so easy that you can load up on Bros Items with no caveats and steamroll every single fight, there's two puzzles repeated over and over across the entire game. I've played this game so many times and always end up at the same points in terms of levels, badges, and play time. Powers from Superstar Saga are split up between the adult and baby bros and the only thing it adds is tedium.
There's potential here between the adult/baby comedy bits and yeah the darker (for a Mario game) implications in the story and bosses. But there's just so much dropped between the plot being a fetch quest and the bosses being mostly forgettable and the few setpieces and linear dungeon design that there's nothing to save it.
And then they end it with a (really easy) Bowser fight that for some reason is only reactions? Completely unnecessary and just more padding for time in such a way that really typifies all the issues of the game.
Exploration is all but non-existent, side quests literally don't exist, combat is so basic and currency so easy that you can load up on Bros Items with no caveats and steamroll every single fight, there's two puzzles repeated over and over across the entire game. I've played this game so many times and always end up at the same points in terms of levels, badges, and play time. Powers from Superstar Saga are split up between the adult and baby bros and the only thing it adds is tedium.
There's potential here between the adult/baby comedy bits and yeah the darker (for a Mario game) implications in the story and bosses. But there's just so much dropped between the plot being a fetch quest and the bosses being mostly forgettable and the few setpieces and linear dungeon design that there's nothing to save it.
And then they end it with a (really easy) Bowser fight that for some reason is only reactions? Completely unnecessary and just more padding for time in such a way that really typifies all the issues of the game.
Other reviews5
Mario and Luigi really is a great series, a solid if not spectacular replacement for whatever Paper Mario is trying to accomplish at the time. Partners in Time is entertainingly light, with great character and terrific humor. The battle system is simple, but the battle items really stand out as ways to get the whole gang involved. Another solid performer in this series.