Mario Galaxy 2 -Wii-
Mario Galaxy 2 -Wii-
Review by Pete
This encore presentation of Super Mario Galaxy 2 is like finding a 20 dollar bill as a 10 year old and knowing that you’re going to spend the whole thing on candy. Unless you’re heart is made of stone, you will be helplessly charmed by what Nintendo has conjured up for Mario’s newest adventure. There’s enough gameplay changes and dozens of new world to explore in Mario Galaxy 2 to separate it from the first one.
Nintendo builds on the foundation of the first Mario Galaxy by keeping all of the great innovate gravity use and adding some subtle additions. The most noteworthy is the empowerment of the second player. In the first Mario Galaxy the second player could only collect and then shoot the stars to stun enemies. And with the value that these stars held, the second player would seem more like a nuisance unless they resigned them self to simply collecting stars. In Mario Galaxy 2 the second player still have the ability to manipulate stars, but now they can attack and freeze every enemy but bosses. Fireballs can be frozen still, enemies can be held for bopping or some can be killed outright. Even with a second player taking care of most of the baddies, Mario Galaxy 2 still offers up plenty of challenge throughout.
Mario Galaxy 2 is a direct sequel to the first one. The stage and premise of its events are almost the exact same as the first(and every other Mario game for that matter). The Princess has been taken by Bowser for whatever reason and you’re off to rescue her. What I love about this formula is that these Mario games don’t let the story get in the way of the fun. Each level tells its own story through the artistic design. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good story. The Mario RPG franchise is wildly funny for its writing. But the classic Mario formula is time tested and player approved.
Mario Galaxy 2 plays exactly like Mario Galaxy 1. You’ll be using the same control scheme too. The analog stick on the nun chuck moves him around while the A button on the Wii remote will have you jump. All of the fun Mario abilities like just three times for a big triple front flip, wall jumping, and stationary back flips from Mario 64 are usable too (I wish they would bring back the tummy surfing from Sunshine, oh well).
In Mario Galaxy they went back to the over world navigation style used in Super Mario Bros. 3. There is still a planetary /spaceship like hub that you can call home, but you won’t be able to launch directly into levels from it like in Mario Galaxy 1. I really like the home planet feel they create, somewhere you can come back to after fighting through level after level. Throughout your journeys you’ll have dozens of people/things join you on your planet / spaceship.
Now onto the game: this is one enormous adventure. There are 6 worlds with 7 levels each (Also there is 1 special world). Each level is a unique experience. I won’t be able to explain properly how fun and exciting each one of these levels are. Each level can consist of up to a dozen individual planets.
As you make your way through these world on your way to defeat Bowser, You’ll have the aid of 9 different power ups. All of the original power ups are back, but now with the addition of the Rock, Ghost, and Cloud mushrooms. You’ll keep these powers until you are injured (of course!) several of the levels will continually keep giving you a certain power to insure that you finish a level, but others are a one time deal and you’ll have to cherish it.
One big addition is that now you can ride Yoshi. Adding Yoshi isn’t as game breaking as he was in Super Mario World for the SNES, but he’s a welcome recruit who keeps things fresh feeling. At first I thought riding Yoshi in 3D would feel bulky and unwieldy, but it was not at all like that. Handing Yoshi feels just as good as Mario. Yoshi also has the ability to eat most things. To eat you have to point with the Wii remote and press a button.
After you’ve beat the game, in Mario fashion, A new special world opens up with all new challenges. These levels are pretty difficult and will require you to go back and collect some rogue stars you missed your first time through. Emily and I are up to 115 stars. I say Emily and I because this is a 2 player game. It can certainly be played single player, but I have had some of the best of times maneuvering my way through world after world while Emily stomps out most all my enemies and gives me direction. The 2 player action is very fun for both players.
Mario Galaxy 2 shines with greatness. Too often do game developers churn out a quick sequel to a great game in attempt to make some extra cash. Mario Galaxy doesn’t suffer from this problem in the least. Nintendo isn’t squeezing the lemon for some last drops of juice, Nintendo put their nose to the grindstone and has planted an orchard of lemon trees for us. Go out and play you some Mario Galaxy 2, I can guarantee a good time to anyone.
-Review by Pete June 29 2010
