This light RPG/ Platformer Hybrid is good fun and has surprising depth to it.
Being a Mario game I thought that it would have little depth and just be a platformer with a nostalgic feel to it, I was proven wrong. As the story unfolds you find a storyline that really makes the game fun to play through. That put together with some well thought out game play makes it a very enjoyable title. Its starts out with what looks like a simple storyline but throws some twists in you wouldn't expect in a Mario game and makes you want to know how the story is going to wrap up. Although it's only a single player game it lasts anywhere from 12-20 hours and doesn't get stale at all. This edition to Mario's long catalogue of games is definitely refreshing.
The mix of different genres into one makes it a very unique game. There is the simple platforming element like back in the early Mario days with the twist of being able to turn 3D to help solve problems and find new entrances. This is mixed with a light RPG element in which you can earn points to level up which in turn makes your attacks stronger and your health greater. You are also able to use many items to enhance your stats and use as weapons. This makes a simple platformer way more creative and different from others out there. There are a number of puzzles you will have to work out along the way too, some are simple but others had me stuck for ages. One or two were a little tedious though which just left me in frustration like having to run back and forth to get to clues to a puzzle then having to type a word to a guy 3 times. Generally the puzzles were great though. Through out the game you can play with a range of Mario characters such as Peach, Bowser and Luigi. Each character has a special ability like super jump or shield which helps overcome gaps, defeat enemies and solves puzzles. This makes bounding from platform to platform more fun and gives you more abilities to figure out those brain teasing puzzles. As well as the range of characters you have creatures called Pixls helping in you in your cause. Each one has a different ability to help you solve puzzles and get past obstacles as you find them along the way. Most are used regularly as well; none were used once then forgotten for the rest of the game.
The dialogue for the game which was expressed in text (like usual for Mario titles) was at times written in slang that made it kind of unpleasant to read. It was like a 10 year old had written some of the script in and put in all the latest slang that they use at school. It really dumbed down some of the characters but over all wasn't too bad.
The art was very visually striking even though very simple in its design. There was a range of different environments which were all drawn in the 2D style of a platformer which enhanced the feeling of the flat world (particularly when you flipped into 3D mode). When entering each world the level would be drawn out in front of you in a kind of Etch a Sketch style which is just fun to watch. Although it was simple it was effective and it really gave a nostalgic and fun feel to it. The soundtrack was also well composed and suited the environments very well.
The controls were set up pretty well and very responsive. You hold the Wii mote sideways like a classic controller and use the D-pad to move. The 1 and 2 buttons are jump and use Pixls and you point the Wii mote at the screen to scan your surroundings for information on enemies and finding hidden doors and items. It was a good way to use the Wii motion controls as well as get the feeling of old school platformers.
There are also items to collect in this game in the form of cards. There is a card for pretty much every character and monster in the game. There are a total of 200 cards and even items to help you called catch cards. I thought 200 was a bit excessive and haven't collected them all to see if you get anything for it.
Overall a very enjoyable single player game with good platforming roots and an interesting story. With 20 hours of solid platformer fun and puzzle solving this is definitely a title to pick up.