Super Paper Mario is the latest console title in a long running Mario RPG line. As far as the series goes, this is definitely the best not including the recent handhelds. It mixes platforming, with a story and puzzles that make wining actually feel rewarding.
Story: The main difference between the regular Super Mario line and the RPG line is the story. With the exclusion of perhaps Mario Sunshine, the basic goal has always been to save your princess. You get an intro, a final scene, and a whole lot of gameplay in between. With Paper Mario you are going to get a real story worth reading, at least until about hour 30. The game is funny and it will make you laugh, but by the end of the game, all you want to do is play not read.
Gameplay: The gameplay here is the real reason to pick this game up. Nintendo has been interested in all forms of 3D for years and this game shows it. The game takes play on two different planes. Most of it plays like a 2D platformer, but with the push of a button you can temporarily switch to “3D” and solve puzzles that before couldn’t be solved. If you have ever done any drafting you will know what I mean. A line in one plane can be a wall or a door in another. Sometimes secrets can be hidden behind rocks or walls. It takes a little getting used to but it is amazing fun!
Art Style: The art here is beautiful. Everything looks like a cross between your typical Mario games and a story book. It’s interesting to look at, and really works with the type of humor and story found here.
Difference: You have never played anything quite like this game. Even of you have played the Paper Mario titles of the past; the switching view element adds a whole new twist that everyone should experience.
Buy it? Yes! This game is unique, funny, and challenging. The only major problem with the title is that it is just too long. Without giving away anything there are about 8 major zones. I had fun up until zone 6 and after that there was just too much reading. I still enjoyed the game but my need to be a completionist killed the ending for me. If you don’t mind not finishing, you’ll still enjoy around 30 hours of gameplay doing something fun and unusual. I give it an 8/10 because of the length of dialogue. If they ended things sooner it would have be a 9/10. Either way, it’s a great game and one that you need to own if you have a Wii.
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