Mario & Luigi: Brothership review: Brotherly love

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As a longtime fan of the Mario & Luigi series, I must say that Brothership has truly outdone itself in terms of comedy, character development, and innovative gameplay mechanics. The humor in this game is top-notch, with Luigi stealing the show as always with his witty one-liners and hilarious antics.

For the past year, Nintendo has been revisiting some of its most iconic role-playing games featuring Mario. In November, they released a remake of 1996’s Super Mario RPG, followed by another remake of 2004’s Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door earlier this year. These games are often regarded as the best in Mario’s RPG series, and having them so close together was a delightful experience. It seems that this revisiting of classic games might have been strategically planned. They could have served as a warm-up for the latest addition to Nintendo’s other Mario-based RPG series, Mario & Luigi: Brothership. After investing numerous hours playing the game and even more contemplating it, this new entry might just be the pinnacle of Mario’s RPG adventures so far.

All aboard and set sail

In my gaming world, the adventure of Mario & Luigi: Brothership kicks off in the enchanting Mushroom Kingdom. However, before we could save Princess Peach or collect a single Power Star, we’re sucked into another realm – the electrifying land of Concordia. This vibrant place used to be one unified continent teeming with diverse inhabitants.

In most games from the Mario & Luigi series, players explore a larger interconnected world. However, the islands in Concordia appear to be separate levels that progress linearly. But don’t let this fool you; these islands can become complex and challenging with numerous platforming sections, puzzles, and enemies. The excitement lies in navigating these difficulties using Bros. Moves, such as one that allows Mario & Luigi to spin like a UFO over gaps. The main objective is to reconnect all the islands by deactivating each lighthouse instead of climbing a flagpole, as was done in the past. Mario and Luigi complete an island by jumping on top of a lighthouse this time around.

The intrigue of lighthouses lies in the fact that when power is cut off, they connect the surrounding islands to Shipshape Island’s central network. This enables players to explore a vast sea map, finding interconnected currents to discover other islands on the horizon. As more islands are linked to the ship, the ultimate objective is to reunite these lands under a new Uni-Tree that Connie is nurturing almost entirely from scratch. The joy and fulfillment come not only from adding new islands to this union but also observing as their inhabitants start arriving on Shipshape Island and intermingling with each other. Brothership doesn’t merely instruct players to unite these realms; instead, it demonstrates the progress they make throughout their journey.

As I delve into this captivating game, Brothership cleverly brings forth an array of unforgettable sidekicks to complement our beloved Mario characters. From the adventurous Arc and the brainy Technikki, to the spirited IDLE gang, these companions will join me on my journey, each with their unique personalities. Along the way, I’ll encounter a few lesser-known allies too, creating a rich tapestry of characters that make the adventure even more immersive. To top it off, there’s a pivotal moment where several key characters come together, adding depth to the narrative. And let’s not forget the unexpected return of some familiar faces – friends and foes alike – amplifying the sense of scale in Brothership, making it feel like a grander Mario RPG experience than any I’ve played before.

The brotherly bond extends its reach by making the world feel significant through its additional missions. This is the debut game in the Mario & Luigi series offering numerous side missions, which are typically worth exploring because the prizes can vary from highly valuable items to stockpiles of goods that significantly surpass what a vendor would offer. What’s intriguing is that some of these side missions might tie into the storyline, meaning players will only have a set timeframe to finish them before they become unavailable.

In this game, unlike others in the Mario RPG series, the narrative appears to offer multiple paths. At various junctures, players are given choices, and these decisions can influence the way the story unfolds. Although the overall plot may lead to the same destination, the means of arrival can differ based on certain choices made. For instance, early in the game, there’s a pair of siblings who have gone their separate ways. If Mario and Luigi choose one sibling, another will manage a shop on Shipshape Island throughout the rest of the story. While this choice may not be the most critical one, simply having such choices presented is significant for this series.

Although there are additional aspects to Brothership’s tale, let’s momentarily set aside that topic and instead delve into the intriguing development of the Mario and Luigi gameplay formula.

The logic of teamwork

In Brothership, the gameplay structure is similar to that of past Mario & Luigi games. One button is assigned to control Mario while the other governs Luigi. Unlike in previous titles, Brothership minimizes frequent switches between A and B buttons for player movement. Fortunately, Luigi typically follows Mario on his own, so the dedicated buttons are primarily used for special question blocks or objects marked with a big “L.

In this engaging game, it’s like my brothers and I are teaming up against our foes, each having our unique stats and special Bros. Moves. We can knock out enemies using these moves, or resort to Mario and Luigi’s classic Jump and Hammer techniques. The clever design ensures that we can either dodge enemy attacks or retaliate with one of our signature moves when they strike. I must admit, it’s quite thrilling when a couple of enemies combine forces for a more complex assault as the difficulty ramps up. Over time, players will get the hang of this dynamic, although leveling might feel like a bit of a grind at times.

As a fan, I’ve noticed that once you unlock Battle Plugs, there’s a bit more strategy involved in gameplay. These are like customizable slots where you can insert various plugs, each performing unique functions. Some of these plugs could be offensive, dealing extra damage against airborne enemies; defensive, reducing incoming enemy attacks; or supportive, automatically using items without consuming a turn.

In a dramatic fashion, boss fights often escalate. These formidable adversaries can attack repeatedly, and they may even utilize their surroundings to boost their power. However, players have the ability to counter with a unique gameplay feature that I’ll explain soon! Keep your patience, it won’t be long!

Little brother, big laughs

For those familiar with past Mario & Luigi games, you’re well aware that this series is cherished for its humorous content. In terms of comedy, Brothership certainly holds its own and surpasses its predecessors. This game is a non-stop laughter fest, brimming with witty wordplay, side-splitting dialogue, and an abundance of physical humor.

In many ways, much of the humor in this game originates from Luigi. Historically, he has played the role of the straight man to his older brother, providing a balance of levity amidst the more serious moments. His humorous scenes, particularly in this game where the narrative can be quite intense at times, serve as a welcome relief and never come across as mocking or mean-spirited. Instead, audiences find themselves laughing with Luigi, sharing his amusement rather than making fun of him.

In summary, it’s important to note that Luigi isn’t just there for comic relief. Instead, the concept of Luigi Logic suggests that his character exhibits moments of great intelligence. This could mean having an insight in the gameplay, coming up with an idea during a scene transition, or even formulating strategies during boss battles, which are crucial moments in the game.

In this gaming series, one of the freshest concepts I’ve encountered is using Luigi’s logic during boss battles. When players manage to pull off Luigi’s strategy, it temporarily knocks out the boss and inflicts heavy damage on them. Employing Luigi’s logic can be quite dramatic, presenting challenges through a short, engaging mini-game that usually hits the mark. However, there have been moments when I found myself growing frustrated with a Luigi Logic mini-game, only to later appreciate it as one of the most genius ideas in the entire game.

After completing Brothership, players gain a deeper understanding and admiration for Luigi as a character. Instead of just being the timid one who cautiously navigates haunted mansions, he demonstrates his intelligence and courage throughout this adventure. By the end, it feels like no one is prouder of him than Mario.

Brotherhood is magic

Remarkably, Mario & Luigi: Brothership holds its ground alongside gaming classics like Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Its unique narrative, charming characters, tactically rich battle system, and visually stunning landscapes place it on an exceptional tier. I can barely recall the last time I found myself laughing so heartily or smiling so consistently. The music is equally appealing as it seamlessly transitions from one world to another, and even during fights, though I must admit that there were some discrepancies in sound mixing during regular combat which caught my attention.

Previously, Mario has explored vast universes; he’s even cruised through the cosmos spanning multiple galaxies. Yet, no world in any of his games has ever felt as interconnected as it does in Mario & Luigi: Brothership. This game revolves around nurturing relationships, particularly the special bond that exists between Mario and his dear brother, Luigi.

As a die-hard fan, I’m thrilled to share that Mario and Luigi: Brothership will hit the shelves of my beloved Nintendo Switch on Thursday, the 7th of November. Priced at $59.99 USD, this game promises an exciting adventure, as it is rated E for everyone.

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2024-11-04 15:28