As a longtime fan of the Mario & Luigi series, I must say that this latest installment, “Brothership”, has truly captured the essence of camaraderie and teamwork that has always made this franchise stand out. Having played through numerous titles, I can confidently say that each new game manages to add a unique twist while maintaining the core values that make it so endearing.
In my gaming world, I’ve found that the Mario & Luigi series hasn’t quite grabbed the widespread fame that Nintendo’s other plumber-led RPG adventures, like Paper Mario, have enjoyed. At the minimum, it’s been overshadowed by the reimagined Super Mario RPG, which set us off on our separate role-playing paths.
As a gamer, I’ve always wondered if the handheld-only nature of the series has held back some games from getting more attention. But with Mario & Luigi: Brothership making its debut on a home console, and specifically the Nintendo Switch, I believe it’s going to turn heads for sure! The enhanced technology of the Switch allows Brothership to showcase stunning visuals and a larger-than-life world teeming with eccentric characters.
After attending a press event where I tried Mario & Luigi: Brothership, I can confidently say that long-time fans should be satisfied with Nintendo’s latest venture. The writing remains as witty as it has always been. The combat is more action-oriented now, but it still retains the core turn-based mechanics. In essence, it’s entertaining, humorous, and delivers the combination I was hoping for.
I played through the game in two separate parts, starting with the main characters blasting off from a cannon towards their newly discovered island. The initial section took place on Twistee Island, supposedly an early stage of the narrative.
The central idea is subtly suggested by its title – some of these individuals are passionate dancers, so much so that their lead dancer is known as Groovemaster Dyode. Unfortunately, his assistant, Emmit, is in a state of distress because Dyode has misplaced his hair pomade. Without it, Dyode can’t dance to the funk, and the situation is quite critical. If Mario and Luigi don’t find this missing item quickly, there could be disastrous results.
At this stage in the game, the combat system is quite basic; however, it wasn’t until the vibrant Merrygo Island, which was the second one I visited, that I could delve deeper. Although we’re only about 15% through, it seems like a sufficient portion to get a good sense of what’s to come.
Encountering an opponent in the open world usually triggers a battle. In my less-experienced gaming history, it’s often me getting ambushed rather than the other way around. If your adversary attacks before you, they will strike first. The attacks I encountered during both parts of the demo can be dodged or their impact lessened with quick and well-timed reflexes.
What’s truly remarkable about Mario & Luigi: Brothership is that despite each character being distinct, the game manages to keep things engaging by introducing various attack patterns that you need to master. Not only do these moves require your attention, but often both characters are in danger from multi-hit combos. It’s not overly challenging, but it ensures there’s always a bit of a brain workout each time you play.
Changing roles can demand equal care. Performing consecutive jump attacks necessitates synchronization among the brothers, as the one whose turn it is leaps first, but their resilient ally helps them re-enter the fight to strike the enemy repeatedly on the head. At every instance, pressing the button at the right moment adds extra damage.
When it’s Mario’s turn to attack, you’ll find yourself equally engaged. Here, Mario takes a swing at your chosen opponent. A moment later, you should press the B button to align the shots correctly. After a brief pause, press the A button to time it perfectly so that Luigi, who swings from behind Mario, can collide hammer-to-hammer with Mario and send him flying towards the same target for an increased impact.
In the beloved Mario & Luigi series, the iconic Bros. Attacks make a triumphant return. Longtime fans will notice familiar moves like the Green Shell, where the brothers swiftly kick the shell towards an adversary. After it bounces off them and returns to your side of the battlefield, they kick it again. The shell can hit multiple targets unpredictably, making it an effective method for managing crowds.
Amongst all the game elements involving fights, it was the Battle Plug system that particularly caught my attention. If you’ve played earlier games, you might recognize its resemblance to Badges, but there seems to be a wider array of options available compared to what we’ve seen before. Based on my observation, I would estimate that there could be as many as several dozen different ones. You create these using a unique currency, and you can use a set number of them at once.
Some are straightforward: a healing item is automatically used when a party member’s HP gets low, for example. Some, like Anti-Flying Specialist, are designed for deployment against specific types of enemies. Others, however, can really change the flow of battle. With Surprise Iron Ball, getting an “Excellent” rating with a Jump or Hammer Attack causes an iron ball to drop on the target for more damage. Surefooted Guard prevents the Trip and Dizzy status effects. Empower Counters turns jump counters into ground pounds, and charges up hammer counters by 30%.
Furthermore, in Mario & Luigi: Brothership, there are Plug Combo options such as Ka-Specialist, which amplifies the critical-hit damage inflicted on an enemy and spreads it across the entire team when you unleash the Kaboom Attack using a Specialist-type Battle Plug. This adds another layer of strategic decision-making, similar to choosing what equipment to use, which bonus rewards to pick during level-up (including one that allows for more gear at any given time), and deciding which character’s shop to prioritize unlocking first between Maykit and Billdit, whose names perfectly describe their respective roles.
Adventuring and problem-solving often highlight the bond between Mario and Luigi that has consistently added charm to the series. Intriguing elements scattered across the islands sometimes spark unusual ideas from Luigi, usually leading to favorable outcomes. The narrative also employs this concept; on Merrygo Island, I had to maneuver a large rotating labyrinth, locating gaps in each layer to advance further.
Standing on top of a central tower in the labyrinth provided me with a bird’s-eye perspective, yet to rotate it as needed, I had to rely on Luigi’s assistance from below. He was tasked with striking a switch using his hammer while I did the same from atop the tower. Such seemingly minor actions had a significant effect on Mario and Luigi’s overall gaming experience. The game mechanics were straightforward: each brother required a separate button press for their hammer swings, thereby effectively emphasizing the teamwork concept that lies at the core of the Mario & Luigi series.
Essentially, Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a game centered around bonds – these could be between siblings and their equipment or between a large body of water and its numerous islands. Connecting an island adds it to your brothers’ boat, which serves as the main objective for the game and also brings non-player characters (NPCs) into your hub where they can provide ongoing services.
It seems that people playing Mario-themed RPGs generally aren’t searching for a grand narrative, instead they prefer something more intimate, charming, and heartwarming. However, the series has a knack for taking this approach and developing it in unique ways; the standout example being Bowser’s Inside Story, which might be as small-scale as a game can get, since much of it takes place inside the antagonist’s body. Yet it’s overflowing with unforgettable moments.
The expanded scope of Mario & Luigi: Brothership is truly impressive, with its console-quality graphics adding to its aesthetic appeal. The RPG elements have been amplified significantly yet retain the familiar charm that keeps me engaged. I was delighted to see Groovemaster Dyode’s hair wax return, and I eagerly anticipate assisting more unique characters when the game releases on November 7th.
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2024-10-10 19:26