Daniel Solomon

One common mistake people always make when talking about Paper Mario games is “It’s not TTYD or 64”. That’s 100% true. However, you cannot keep making reiterations of the same game without it eventually becoming stale. Those older games will forever be etched into our minds and hearts for how good they were, but it’s because of titles like this that we feel that way. It’s a shift from the series’ traditional combat system and a completely different Paper Mario game all in all. That’s the MOST important part about this title and something you have to keep in mind. Now about the gameplay itself. Battling: It was solid. I thought that the battle mechanics were well thought out. However, I wish they threw some more curveballs at you during gameplay. Much like the Vellumentals causing disturbances in the board you were working with, I wish they added a bit more of that diversity with common enemies. Nothing nearly as disruptive as say the Fire Vellumental, but something that makes you say “hmm...how do I work around that...oh!” This would’ve made combat more engaging and feel less like choosing between three options to attack over and over again: hammer, boots, and iron boots. The last gripe I have with the battle system is the limited item pool. Too little with too many similar effects. Again, more diversity would’ve been preferred. Overworld: WOW. Now this it what I call immersion! Everything around you catches your eye from the start and because of that, you find yourself checking every nook and cranny until you eventually reach the end. It was gorgeous to look at and really displayed what the Nintendo Switch can do (even if it’s a simple Mario game). I do yearn for a couple more side quests to REALLY test your battle skills. I only died once (at the very end) and it was more me not paying enough attention than it was the difficultly. However, back on topic, the overworld and cutscenes are often times jaw-dropping and you can’t help but respect it. The Story: Touching. That’s one thing this game does really when. It pokes at your emotions really well to, again, immerse you. Whether it’s the humor, the entertainment, or the heart-wrenching moments (BOBBY NOOOOOO), this game keeps you hooked. There are plenty of games I play and don’t think about until I say “eh, I should prolly finish x game”. Everyday, I woke up wanting to come back and play just to see what the story had in store. Probably the strongest part of the game. Conclusion: This game is beautifully good, but not great. It’s visually stunning, emotionally intelligent (and destructive...Bobby :( ). However, it has some mechanical flaws that hold it back a bit such as limited battle, item, and accessory variation. Regardless, this game is well worth a play. Especially if you’ve been yearning for a enjoyable and heart-felt game like many of us have been during these hard times. A solid 4/5!