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This thread has been linked to the game 'Super Mario Galaxy 2'.
A rabbit has a star, and to get it from him you must chase and catch him. Unfortunately, he is faster than you are, and running around the water-covered planetoid is futile. However, a quick stomp on the handy nearby switch freezes the water, and transforms the planetoid into a ball of ice. Now, you are able to ice-skate, which puts the speed advantage firmly into your hands. (Or, more accurately, feet!) You catch the rabbit, get his star, and take it back to your spaceship.
On a different planet altogether, another star is in pieces. To further complicate the matter, these pieces are inside the planet, buried underground. To get them, you must first pick up the drill. A quick flick of the Wiimote later and you tunnel your way through the soil to collect the pieces. Collect all 5 pieces, and the star re-forms.
A different star requires you to stomp enemies and score 10,000 points in 90 seconds. Yet another star can only be gotten by carefully leading an enemy to a friendly NPC, who then holds it aloft in an obvious nod to the Zelda games. Still further stars come from the furthest reaches of the planets they are found on, or by beating the natives in races, or any number of additional challenges thrown your way.
The stars are fuel for the spaceship of a giant purple Luma. It is actually a meteorite in the shape of Mario's head, and is the means of travelling through the galaxy. Sometimes, a large enemy appears. Defeat this boss, and he will cough up the Grand Star he swallowed. Taking this back to the spaceship opens up deeper reaches of space, where ever more surreal planets await you.
Why are you doing all this, I hear you ask? Is there a point?
Of course there's a point, I calmly respond. This is to rescue Peach from the clutches of Bowser once again. The big green baddie has kidnapped her, as is his wont. Only this time she is not in another castle. Instead, she has been taken to the centre of the Universe. Presumably Bowser thinks that even Mario can't follow him there...
He is wrong. Wonderfully, magically, beautifully wrong!
Bowser's misfortune is to our benefit, as the usual flimsy plot sets the stage for a new Super Mario game. Like the previous Wii title, this one is set across a dazzling myriad of levels, or 'galaxies.' Unlike game 1, however, is the sheer bravado with which Nintendo's designers have approached the task of game creation. The level of invention on display is simply staggering; with new challenges and play mechanics being thrown at you at a rate that few other titles have ever even contemplated. Ideas that could easily carry an entire title are dispensed and then disposed of at breakneck pace, with precious little concern shown to milking the potential of any. Repetition is kept to a minimum, as if the very concept is offensive.
No two galaxies are alike. No two stars feel the same. Mario has access to a huge variety of suits, each imparting special abilities. Old favourites like the Bee suit return, alongside new debutants like the Cloud suit. Each increases the scope for genius level design. The inclusion of Yoshi extends the palette even further, giving the designers the freedom to try more or less anything they feel like. Incredibly, nothing fails to hit the mark. Every single decision is justified in spades!
This barrage of new concepts makes a comfortable bedfellow alongside trips to nostalgia town that may well make you shed a tear of joy. In amongst the spectacular new locales are recreations of levels from Mario 64, Mario Sunshine, the original Mario Galaxy, and even Mario Kart. Sweeping orchestral themes play throughout, but then suddenly you will be treated to jazzy reworks of the classic Mario tunes you know and love. This advent calendar theme, with a new treat unlocked behind practically every door, keeps everything feeling fresh throughout.
In lesser hands, this slapdash approach could well fall flat on its face. The game could lack cohesion, and might fail to become the sum of its parts. Nintendo have shown themselves in this instance to be absolute masters at combining disparate elements into something verging on the miraculous. Rather than being a confusing mishmash of minigames, it all makes total sense and feels like a Mario game should. The new enemies look like they have been part of the franchise since it began; the new power-ups never feel like gimmicks. It all just feels right. At no time in the game do you feel like you are playing filler. At no time in the game are you not smiling. And, most importantly, at no part in the game do you feel like you want to stop!
In a world where games are becoming ever more weaponry obsessive, ever more formulaic, and ever more brown, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a welcome diversion. It stands out amongst the crowd of first and third person Space Marine shooters as an example of what videogames can be. There are no guns, no Quick-Time-Events, no stealth kills, no zombies. All there is is a treasure trove of fun to explore.
Mario games have been evolving ever since it was merely about running left and jumping on turtles. In some ways, there are aspects of Mario Galaxy 2 that feel like steps back from previous titles. One gripe may well be that many of the stars are more about following a path than having free reign over the level, but for every person who wants an open world experience there will be another who is quite happy to eschew the sandbox for something more traditional. (Besides which, this experience is available as a post-game bonus to anyone who collects every star.) Players who just want to get to the end will have a wild ride, whilst players wanting something even more challenging are also catered for, only in a less innovative way. The harder stars in the game place restrictions on you, such as replaying the boss fight without taking any hits, or doing it again with a time limit. But this is never required, it is an optional choice for those wishing to squeeze every last drop of entertainment from the title. A casual play through is an experience to savour, but the more hardcore can indulge themselves with comets and green stars as well. The difficulty in these challenges at times verges on the frustrating, but it always falls on the right side of ridiculous.
Another complaint my be that in this modern market where 3D is king, many of the levels relegate the platforming to a 2D playfield. Again, whilst some will be saddened, there are many others who will rejoice. These sections are possibly the strongest of all, with some taxing challenges requiring dextrous digits. Especially pleasing is the way that gravity is treated as a toy in these parts. Mario frequently falls up, or to the side, but always as indicated on-screen. Enemies can sometimes be removed instead of defeated, and often are the times when you are scratching your head to figure out the next move to make.
Videogames can be many things. They can be narrative-heavy morality tales. They can be devoid of plot and character altogether and made entirely of abstracts. They can be artistic and meaningful, and they can also be disposable and forgettable. But the one thing they should always be is enjoyable. Mario Galaxy 2 grabs this baton, and runs as far with it as any other title has managed to in the past. This is gaming at its finest, and gaming as it should be. Gaming with a huge smile under its moustache!
10/10
On a different planet altogether, another star is in pieces. To further complicate the matter, these pieces are inside the planet, buried underground. To get them, you must first pick up the drill. A quick flick of the Wiimote later and you tunnel your way through the soil to collect the pieces. Collect all 5 pieces, and the star re-forms.
A different star requires you to stomp enemies and score 10,000 points in 90 seconds. Yet another star can only be gotten by carefully leading an enemy to a friendly NPC, who then holds it aloft in an obvious nod to the Zelda games. Still further stars come from the furthest reaches of the planets they are found on, or by beating the natives in races, or any number of additional challenges thrown your way.
The stars are fuel for the spaceship of a giant purple Luma. It is actually a meteorite in the shape of Mario's head, and is the means of travelling through the galaxy. Sometimes, a large enemy appears. Defeat this boss, and he will cough up the Grand Star he swallowed. Taking this back to the spaceship opens up deeper reaches of space, where ever more surreal planets await you.
Why are you doing all this, I hear you ask? Is there a point?
Of course there's a point, I calmly respond. This is to rescue Peach from the clutches of Bowser once again. The big green baddie has kidnapped her, as is his wont. Only this time she is not in another castle. Instead, she has been taken to the centre of the Universe. Presumably Bowser thinks that even Mario can't follow him there...
He is wrong. Wonderfully, magically, beautifully wrong!
Bowser's misfortune is to our benefit, as the usual flimsy plot sets the stage for a new Super Mario game. Like the previous Wii title, this one is set across a dazzling myriad of levels, or 'galaxies.' Unlike game 1, however, is the sheer bravado with which Nintendo's designers have approached the task of game creation. The level of invention on display is simply staggering; with new challenges and play mechanics being thrown at you at a rate that few other titles have ever even contemplated. Ideas that could easily carry an entire title are dispensed and then disposed of at breakneck pace, with precious little concern shown to milking the potential of any. Repetition is kept to a minimum, as if the very concept is offensive.
No two galaxies are alike. No two stars feel the same. Mario has access to a huge variety of suits, each imparting special abilities. Old favourites like the Bee suit return, alongside new debutants like the Cloud suit. Each increases the scope for genius level design. The inclusion of Yoshi extends the palette even further, giving the designers the freedom to try more or less anything they feel like. Incredibly, nothing fails to hit the mark. Every single decision is justified in spades!
This barrage of new concepts makes a comfortable bedfellow alongside trips to nostalgia town that may well make you shed a tear of joy. In amongst the spectacular new locales are recreations of levels from Mario 64, Mario Sunshine, the original Mario Galaxy, and even Mario Kart. Sweeping orchestral themes play throughout, but then suddenly you will be treated to jazzy reworks of the classic Mario tunes you know and love. This advent calendar theme, with a new treat unlocked behind practically every door, keeps everything feeling fresh throughout.
In lesser hands, this slapdash approach could well fall flat on its face. The game could lack cohesion, and might fail to become the sum of its parts. Nintendo have shown themselves in this instance to be absolute masters at combining disparate elements into something verging on the miraculous. Rather than being a confusing mishmash of minigames, it all makes total sense and feels like a Mario game should. The new enemies look like they have been part of the franchise since it began; the new power-ups never feel like gimmicks. It all just feels right. At no time in the game do you feel like you are playing filler. At no time in the game are you not smiling. And, most importantly, at no part in the game do you feel like you want to stop!
In a world where games are becoming ever more weaponry obsessive, ever more formulaic, and ever more brown, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a welcome diversion. It stands out amongst the crowd of first and third person Space Marine shooters as an example of what videogames can be. There are no guns, no Quick-Time-Events, no stealth kills, no zombies. All there is is a treasure trove of fun to explore.
Mario games have been evolving ever since it was merely about running left and jumping on turtles. In some ways, there are aspects of Mario Galaxy 2 that feel like steps back from previous titles. One gripe may well be that many of the stars are more about following a path than having free reign over the level, but for every person who wants an open world experience there will be another who is quite happy to eschew the sandbox for something more traditional. (Besides which, this experience is available as a post-game bonus to anyone who collects every star.) Players who just want to get to the end will have a wild ride, whilst players wanting something even more challenging are also catered for, only in a less innovative way. The harder stars in the game place restrictions on you, such as replaying the boss fight without taking any hits, or doing it again with a time limit. But this is never required, it is an optional choice for those wishing to squeeze every last drop of entertainment from the title. A casual play through is an experience to savour, but the more hardcore can indulge themselves with comets and green stars as well. The difficulty in these challenges at times verges on the frustrating, but it always falls on the right side of ridiculous.
Another complaint my be that in this modern market where 3D is king, many of the levels relegate the platforming to a 2D playfield. Again, whilst some will be saddened, there are many others who will rejoice. These sections are possibly the strongest of all, with some taxing challenges requiring dextrous digits. Especially pleasing is the way that gravity is treated as a toy in these parts. Mario frequently falls up, or to the side, but always as indicated on-screen. Enemies can sometimes be removed instead of defeated, and often are the times when you are scratching your head to figure out the next move to make.
Videogames can be many things. They can be narrative-heavy morality tales. They can be devoid of plot and character altogether and made entirely of abstracts. They can be artistic and meaningful, and they can also be disposable and forgettable. But the one thing they should always be is enjoyable. Mario Galaxy 2 grabs this baton, and runs as far with it as any other title has managed to in the past. This is gaming at its finest, and gaming as it should be. Gaming with a huge smile under its moustache!
10/10
very nice n addictive game lol
Agree, SMG2 is fantastic, even more fun that the first game. Still only just a small way through the game but it's a wonderful experience.
Excellent review. Excellent game. Each and every time I play this game I come away saying "what a game".
"The level of invention on display is simply staggering"... absolutely spot on.
"The level of invention on display is simply staggering"... absolutely spot on.
A rabbit has a star, and to get it from him you must chase and catch him. Unfortunately, he is faster than you are, and running around the water-covered planetoid is futile. However, a quick stomp on the handy nearby switch freezes the water, and transforms the planetoid into a ball of ice. Now, you are able to ice-skate, which puts the speed advantage firmly into your hands. (Or, more accurately, feet!) You catch the rabbit, get his star, and take it back to your spaceship.
On a different planet altogether, another star is in pieces. To further complicate the matter, these pieces are inside the planet, buried underground. To get them, you must first pick up the drill. A quick flick of the Wiimote later and you tunnel your way through the soil to collect the pieces. Collect all 5 pieces, and the star re-forms.
A different star requires you to stomp enemies and score 10,000 points in 90 seconds. Yet another star can only be gotten by carefully leading an enemy to a friendly NPC, who then holds it aloft in an obvious nod to the Zelda games. Still further stars come from the furthest reaches of the planets they are found on, or by beating the natives in races, or any number of additional challenges thrown your way.
The stars are fuel for the spaceship of a giant purple Luma. It is actually a meteorite in the shape of Mario's head, and is the means of travelling through the galaxy. Sometimes, a large enemy appears. Defeat this boss, and he will cough up the Grand Star he swallowed. Taking this back to the spaceship opens up deeper reaches of space, where ever more surreal planets await you.
Why are you doing all this, I hear you ask? Is there a point?
Of course there's a point, I calmly respond. This is to rescue Peach from the clutches of Bowser once again. The big green baddie has kidnapped her, as is his wont. Only this time she is not in another castle. Instead, she has been taken to the centre of the Universe. Presumably Bowser thinks that even Mario can't follow him there...
He is wrong. Wonderfully, magically, beautifully wrong!
Bowser's misfortune is to our benefit, as the usual flimsy plot sets the stage for a new Super Mario game. Like the previous Wii title, this one is set across a dazzling myriad of levels, or 'galaxies.' Unlike game 1, however, is the sheer bravado with which Nintendo's designers have approached the task of game creation. The level of invention on display is simply staggering; with new challenges and play mechanics being thrown at you at a rate that few other titles have ever even contemplated. Ideas that could easily carry an entire title are dispensed and then disposed of at breakneck pace, with precious little concern shown to milking the potential of any. Repetition is kept to a minimum, as if the very concept is offensive.
No two galaxies are alike. No two stars feel the same. Mario has access to a huge variety of suits, each imparting special abilities. Old favourites like the Bee suit return, alongside new debutants like the Cloud suit. Each increases the scope for genius level design. The inclusion of Yoshi extends the palette even further, giving the designers the freedom to try more or less anything they feel like. Incredibly, nothing fails to hit the mark. Every single decision is justified in spades!
This barrage of new concepts makes a comfortable bedfellow alongside trips to nostalgia town that may well make you shed a tear of joy. In amongst the spectacular new locales are recreations of levels from Mario 64, Mario Sunshine, the original Mario Galaxy, and even Mario Kart. Sweeping orchestral themes play throughout, but then suddenly you will be treated to jazzy reworks of the classic Mario tunes you know and love. This advent calendar theme, with a new treat unlocked behind practically every door, keeps everything feeling fresh throughout.
In lesser hands, this slapdash approach could well fall flat on its face. The game could lack cohesion, and might fail to become the sum of its parts. Nintendo have shown themselves in this instance to be absolute masters at combining disparate elements into something verging on the miraculous. Rather than being a confusing mishmash of minigames, it all makes total sense and feels like a Mario game should. The new enemies look like they have been part of the franchise since it began; the new power-ups never feel like gimmicks. It all just feels right. At no time in the game do you feel like you are playing filler. At no time in the game are you not smiling. And, most importantly, at no part in the game do you feel like you want to stop!
In a world where games are becoming ever more weaponry obsessive, ever more formulaic, and ever more brown, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a welcome diversion. It stands out amongst the crowd of first and third person Space Marine shooters as an example of what videogames can be. There are no guns, no Quick-Time-Events, no stealth kills, no zombies. All there is is a treasure trove of fun to explore.
Mario games have been evolving ever since it was merely about running left and jumping on turtles. In some ways, there are aspects of Mario Galaxy 2 that feel like steps back from previous titles. One gripe may well be that many of the stars are more about following a path than having free reign over the level, but for every person who wants an open world experience there will be another who is quite happy to eschew the sandbox for something more traditional. (Besides which, this experience is available as a post-game bonus to anyone who collects every star.) Players who just want to get to the end will have a wild ride, whilst players wanting something even more challenging are also catered for, only in a less innovative way. The harder stars in the game place restrictions on you, such as replaying the boss fight without taking any hits, or doing it again with a time limit. But this is never required, it is an optional choice for those wishing to squeeze every last drop of entertainment from the title. A casual play through is an experience to savour, but the more hardcore can indulge themselves with comets and green stars as well. The difficulty in these challenges at times verges on the frustrating, but it always falls on the right side of ridiculous.
Another complaint my be that in this modern market where 3D is king, many of the levels relegate the platforming to a 2D playfield. Again, whilst some will be saddened, there are many others who will rejoice. These sections are possibly the strongest of all, with some taxing challenges requiring dextrous digits. Especially pleasing is the way that gravity is treated as a toy in these parts. Mario frequently falls up, or to the side, but always as indicated on-screen. Enemies can sometimes be removed instead of defeated, and often are the times when you are scratching your head to figure out the next move to make.
Videogames can be many things. They can be narrative-heavy morality tales. They can be devoid of plot and character altogether and made entirely of abstracts. They can be artistic and meaningful, and they can also be disposable and forgettable. But the one thing they should always be is enjoyable. Mario Galaxy 2 grabs this baton, and runs as far with it as any other title has managed to in the past. This is gaming at its finest, and gaming as it should be. Gaming with a huge smile under its moustache!
10/10
On a different planet altogether, another star is in pieces. To further complicate the matter, these pieces are inside the planet, buried underground. To get them, you must first pick up the drill. A quick flick of the Wiimote later and you tunnel your way through the soil to collect the pieces. Collect all 5 pieces, and the star re-forms.
A different star requires you to stomp enemies and score 10,000 points in 90 seconds. Yet another star can only be gotten by carefully leading an enemy to a friendly NPC, who then holds it aloft in an obvious nod to the Zelda games. Still further stars come from the furthest reaches of the planets they are found on, or by beating the natives in races, or any number of additional challenges thrown your way.
The stars are fuel for the spaceship of a giant purple Luma. It is actually a meteorite in the shape of Mario's head, and is the means of travelling through the galaxy. Sometimes, a large enemy appears. Defeat this boss, and he will cough up the Grand Star he swallowed. Taking this back to the spaceship opens up deeper reaches of space, where ever more surreal planets await you.
Why are you doing all this, I hear you ask? Is there a point?
Of course there's a point, I calmly respond. This is to rescue Peach from the clutches of Bowser once again. The big green baddie has kidnapped her, as is his wont. Only this time she is not in another castle. Instead, she has been taken to the centre of the Universe. Presumably Bowser thinks that even Mario can't follow him there...
He is wrong. Wonderfully, magically, beautifully wrong!
Bowser's misfortune is to our benefit, as the usual flimsy plot sets the stage for a new Super Mario game. Like the previous Wii title, this one is set across a dazzling myriad of levels, or 'galaxies.' Unlike game 1, however, is the sheer bravado with which Nintendo's designers have approached the task of game creation. The level of invention on display is simply staggering; with new challenges and play mechanics being thrown at you at a rate that few other titles have ever even contemplated. Ideas that could easily carry an entire title are dispensed and then disposed of at breakneck pace, with precious little concern shown to milking the potential of any. Repetition is kept to a minimum, as if the very concept is offensive.
No two galaxies are alike. No two stars feel the same. Mario has access to a huge variety of suits, each imparting special abilities. Old favourites like the Bee suit return, alongside new debutants like the Cloud suit. Each increases the scope for genius level design. The inclusion of Yoshi extends the palette even further, giving the designers the freedom to try more or less anything they feel like. Incredibly, nothing fails to hit the mark. Every single decision is justified in spades!
This barrage of new concepts makes a comfortable bedfellow alongside trips to nostalgia town that may well make you shed a tear of joy. In amongst the spectacular new locales are recreations of levels from Mario 64, Mario Sunshine, the original Mario Galaxy, and even Mario Kart. Sweeping orchestral themes play throughout, but then suddenly you will be treated to jazzy reworks of the classic Mario tunes you know and love. This advent calendar theme, with a new treat unlocked behind practically every door, keeps everything feeling fresh throughout.
In lesser hands, this slapdash approach could well fall flat on its face. The game could lack cohesion, and might fail to become the sum of its parts. Nintendo have shown themselves in this instance to be absolute masters at combining disparate elements into something verging on the miraculous. Rather than being a confusing mishmash of minigames, it all makes total sense and feels like a Mario game should. The new enemies look like they have been part of the franchise since it began; the new power-ups never feel like gimmicks. It all just feels right. At no time in the game do you feel like you are playing filler. At no time in the game are you not smiling. And, most importantly, at no part in the game do you feel like you want to stop!
In a world where games are becoming ever more weaponry obsessive, ever more formulaic, and ever more brown, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a welcome diversion. It stands out amongst the crowd of first and third person Space Marine shooters as an example of what videogames can be. There are no guns, no Quick-Time-Events, no stealth kills, no zombies. All there is is a treasure trove of fun to explore.
Mario games have been evolving ever since it was merely about running left and jumping on turtles. In some ways, there are aspects of Mario Galaxy 2 that feel like steps back from previous titles. One gripe may well be that many of the stars are more about following a path than having free reign over the level, but for every person who wants an open world experience there will be another who is quite happy to eschew the sandbox for something more traditional. (Besides which, this experience is available as a post-game bonus to anyone who collects every star.) Players who just want to get to the end will have a wild ride, whilst players wanting something even more challenging are also catered for, only in a less innovative way. The harder stars in the game place restrictions on you, such as replaying the boss fight without taking any hits, or doing it again with a time limit. But this is never required, it is an optional choice for those wishing to squeeze every last drop of entertainment from the title. A casual play through is an experience to savour, but the more hardcore can indulge themselves with comets and green stars as well. The difficulty in these challenges at times verges on the frustrating, but it always falls on the right side of ridiculous.
Another complaint my be that in this modern market where 3D is king, many of the levels relegate the platforming to a 2D playfield. Again, whilst some will be saddened, there are many others who will rejoice. These sections are possibly the strongest of all, with some taxing challenges requiring dextrous digits. Especially pleasing is the way that gravity is treated as a toy in these parts. Mario frequently falls up, or to the side, but always as indicated on-screen. Enemies can sometimes be removed instead of defeated, and often are the times when you are scratching your head to figure out the next move to make.
Videogames can be many things. They can be narrative-heavy morality tales. They can be devoid of plot and character altogether and made entirely of abstracts. They can be artistic and meaningful, and they can also be disposable and forgettable. But the one thing they should always be is enjoyable. Mario Galaxy 2 grabs this baton, and runs as far with it as any other title has managed to in the past. This is gaming at its finest, and gaming as it should be. Gaming with a huge smile under its moustache!
10/10