Super Paper Mario

Content review for this game:
Pertaining to the ESRB rating and My age rating.

Content-wise: This is perfectly suitable for kids 6- to watch, and in some parts even play. The main problem for this age group is that the game's entire story is told exclusively in text, and this goes for explanation on control and gameplay too. Which means, if they do play this, they'll have to have someone read them the game while they're watching and/or playing it.

Gamplay-wise, the button setup is pretty simple to master, and many of the early levels are fun and not too challenging. So, I could see kids 6- play early parts of the game with some help. But, the entire thing while alone, no.
Difficulty-wise: The controls are very simple, and although the gameplay is deeper and more complex than the older 2D Super Mario platformers, it's also more accessible and far easier, the early level design and enemies are very forgiving, and there's no time limit.

However, it does start to get pretty tricky about half-way through, but I could see kids 7+ completing at least half of this game with no problems (if they do get stuck, you could always go to gamefaqs.com and use a FAQ/Walkthrough).

Fun for: Although this game is on the easy side, and the graphic style looks kiddie, the gameplay is very deep, and it will take you over 15 hours to beat (not counting extras).

The script is also very clever, with a light sarcastic tone, and sometimes uses big words. So, although kids will like the colorful and zany characters, only adults are fully going to get the well done and subtle humor.

Pros & Cons: This is a great and unique game, and in some ways rivals the older 2D Super Mario Bros. It has a sharp/colorful graphic style; excellent, deep gameplay; takes a long time to complete; and the story has a fantastic sense of humor.

The only downside to this game is that it can be a little on the easy side for older gamers, but not enough to spoil it for adults--and it's definitely worth playing.

Comic mischief: The overall tone of the story is cleverly sarcastic, but only lightly so. The worst dialog consists of the word idiot, but it's all done in text so you don't hear words. All of the characters are basically paper cartoons, so many of the situations they are put through could be considered comic mischief, and could be lightly compared along the lines of Looney Toons and such. But, beyond this, there's nothing to worry about.

Mild cartoon violence: When Mario and Luigi receive news that Princess Peach has been kidnapped and her castle ransacked, Bowser immediately comes to mind. As they reach Bowser's residence and confront him, Bowser surprisingly informs them he was only just about to kidnap her when they arrived, but hadn't yet set the plans in motion. Stunned, Mario and Luigi stand with puzzled looks and mouths agape, waiting for a more logically satisfying answer. Instead, the true perpetrator appears (with Princess Peach bound by him) and introduces himself as Count Bleck. Mario tries to free the princess, but Count Bleck stops him with strange powers, sucks Bowser and his minions into a black hole, and then disappears. What's going on? Time to find out...

Well, violence-wise--as the name implies--the characters are made of paper, so the worst it gets is when Paper Mario jumps on paper mushrooms' heads, resulting in them disappearing in a puff of white, stylized pixel smoke. Other than this, there's nothing to worry about in the least. Very mild stuff (unless your child thinks everyone around him/her is a mushroom made of paper--then you have a problem ;P).

Difficulty-wise (full explanation): You start out in the city of Flipside, which is the main hub, and leads off to the game's levels. Flipside also has many useful facilities, like a shop where you can buy health and items; an inn where you can pay to sleep and regain your health; a fortune teller's, whose purpose is to give you hints on where to go and what to do next in the game; and a save block where you can save your game by jumping underneath and hitting it with Mario's head. There are many more cities scattered between the game's levels with the same facilities.

The main objective is to collect the game's 8 Pure Hearts (8 chapters split into 8 levels, each with 4 stages), and by doing so, you'll stop Count Bleck from destroying all worlds. Unlike the previous Paper Mario games (which were full RPGs), This game's levels play out like updated versions of the original Super Mario Bros, but with a hint of the Paper Mario RPG system.

Like the original Super Mario Bros, all the gameplay takes place from a side scrolling perspective as Mario jumps on mushrooms, shelled turtles, over chasms, and onto bricks. He can also go into certain pipes scattered throughout the levels and collect useful items. Unlike the old 2D Super Mario platformer, not all items take effect immediately, and are instead stored in your inventory for later use.

There are also many power-ups, like mini retro pixel Marios, who will follow and protect you; a flower power-up which will send coins falling from the sky for a limited time; and the Mega Star, which will turn Mario into a huge retro Mario (from the original SMB), as you storm through the level destroying anything in your path for a limited time.

In addition, Mario has the ability to level up like in an RPG, and by stomping on enemies you'll get a few experience points for each destroyed enemy. Soon, you'll level up, which in turn, makes your health and skills also increase to a greater level. More experience rewards you with specific badges, which can then be equipped, resulting in certain enemies being weaker to your attacks.

Another new addition to this game is the 3D flip power. At the end of the first level, Mario is imbued with the power to flip between dimensions. You press the A button to activate it, which results in the screen flipping, and you now see the previous horizontal plain in 3D. With this perspective you'll see new paths and items. However, you can't stay in this mode forever, as it will start to suck your health once time runs out. So, you'll have to manage your time wisely while watching the limit bar on screen. This 3D power plays into everything in the game, and is one of the main gameplay elements, and you'll constantly be using this to get past 2D deadends and solve the game's many puzzles.

The controls are simple enough, with the Wiimote held sideways the entire time to control Mario (and friends). The directional-pad is used to (move) open doors and talk to people. You press up, down, left or right--depending on what direction you're facing--to activate a door, item, puzzle element, or speak to the game's characters. The 2 button is used to jump, and the + button is used to access the game's menu and inventory screen.

You also have your butterfly guide, Tippi, who will follow you throughout the game. Tippi will tell you about objects in levels, by pointing the Wiimote at the screen, and clicking the desired object. If you select Mario, she'll remind you about your current objective. You can also use Tippi to reveal hidden items and doors, by pointing at the screen and clicking on them, which will make them permanently visible. Later on, you acquire more characters like Tippi, who will imbue you with new powers, like the ability to pick up and throw objects/enemies, and the ability to blow up walls with bombs and more as you progress through the game.

Last but not least, later in the game, you gain the ability to play as Princess Peach, Bowser and Luigi at will (which you can switch at any time in the pause menu). Like Mario, they, too, have their own unique abilities, like Princess Peach can hover a short time in the air with her umbrella; Bowser is the slowest, but can spurt flames from his mouth; Luigi can jump higher than anyone, and also use a super jump to reach normally unreachable places, and Mario is the only one able to use the 3D flip ability. As soon as you gain use of each character, you will often be switching between them to use their specific abilities and solve the game's puzzles.

© 2008 Lindenville Publishing. All Rights Reserved. | Advertise | Link exchange | View my Portfolio