Recurring RPG Review #3

That's right! Another Recurring RPG Review! In favor of covering games I've fully beaten and/or really close to beating, I've decided to come in and review an incredibly recent RPG! Today, I'm going to talk about the newest RPG in the Mario & Luigi RPG series! Mario & Luigi: Dream Team.

This game is limited to the Nintendo 3DS, so I'm already hitting a small crowd. However, it's easier to get than the first Recurring RPG Review game! Let's get past the title card, and then I'll go into details.

Recurring Fantasy Presents Recurring RPG Reviews

#3 - Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

For those of you who don't know, Mario & Luigi Dream Team is another entry in the long running Mario RPG franchise. To be technically correct, the Mario RPGs started with the very first one titled Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. However, this title follows in the vein of the offshoot series going with the naming scheme of Mario & Luigi *Insert secondary title here*. This includes the following games on the following systems:

• Mario & Luigi - Superstar Saga (Game Boy Advance)
• Mario & Luigi - Partners in Time (Nintendo DS)
• Mario & Luigi - Bowser's Inside Story (Nintendo DS)
• Mario & Luigi - Dream Team (Nintendo 3DS)

I've played through three of the four above. (I missed out on Bowser's Inside Story.) And I'd like to say... They're all really great games in so many ways. The main goal, as far as I'm concerned, has always been a Mario RPG experience that's light on the RPG elements and high on good story, fun times, and great challenges. I could go on and on here, but let's get right into the review.

For this title, the review format returns to the classic style with...

• Aesthetics
• Gameplay
• Characters
• Story

Let's hit the ground running with the AESTHETICS! It's a straight-up Nintendo title, so the game looks pretty good. It's not "cutting edge 3D!", but the 2D graphics are quite beautiful at times. I could go all out on details, but screenshots are going to say more than that so...

SCREENSHOTS!

Just a small screen from the very beginning. Nothing special.

A view of the Dream World with Luigi sleeping on the bottom screen.

A boss battle with Bowser in the Dream World.

Luigi in his giant form for a Giant Battle!

Mario and Luigi run across a falling bridge! OH NOES!

Example of Mario and Luigi running from a boss during a special scene attack!

Another screenshot of the Giant Boss Battle!

Mario and Luigi doing a Bros Attack on some enemies.

A view of the Dream World with Dreamy Luigi becoming a dream object.

Mario in a Dream World battle. (Dreamy Luigi fuses with him.) 

I borrowed these images from Nintendo Life. You can see more here. 

However! The look and style you see is the same basic one that the game has used since it's original conception. It has been improved for 3DS, but it's really just... The graphics are good and all, but they aren't really "WOW!" all the time. They're easy on the eyes without going crazy with any creativity beyond the general Mario style. Going to be honest, that pretty much covers my opinion of it. It's a great looking game, but it isn't really INSANE WITH BEAUTY!

Of course, aesthetics isn't all looks. I've got to talk about the audio as well. For me, the music and sounds surpass the graphics by quite a bit. While adventuring throughout Pi'illio Island (the game's setting), you are going to go through a lot of different areas with different music. That's RPGs and games in general I realize, but what that means is the music has to be enjoyable or every area will eventually turn into annoying music that you want to turn down/turn off. For Dream Team, this isn't the case.

They've brought to life another world in the Mario universe, and the music is just fantastic. It's generally upbeat and popping as you play throughout. Most of it's just good and enjoyable, but I'd say my favorite music in this game (and most series) is the boss battle theme! Enjoy this Youtube link of the main boss battle theme. It's gooood stuff!

It might seem like I'm hitting this section fast because! I don't want to mess around here. I don't really have anything to truly give you here since it's the most straightforward part. Overall, I like it all. The music is great, graphics are good, and it's all enjoyable. Definitely gets an A for the section. Why no plus? Because it really isn't risky or new for Mario. Seems pretty Mario generic style. Enjoyable but generally the same. (If I'm confusing you with that wording, just look over every Mario game, and you'll see the general trend.) Now it's time for my favorite (and generally longest) part... THE GAMEPLAY!

Now as far as gameplay goes, the basic idea is this... adventure platforming with battles that involve precision and timing on top of RPG elements. Another thing to keep in mind here is that for a handheld game, it's pretty darn long. I spent over 30 hours playing the game! It's pretty lengthy considering it's a handheld title. That's a lot for one game, so I'm going to break it down as I explain how it goes and get into reviewing it.

Exploring the world around you is basically a platformer. You run around jumping and hitting blocks, much like a regular Mario title. However, the true exploration is unlocked slowly but surely as you learn new and exotic platforming moves like the Spin Jump, Drill Dash, Ball Bounce, and other moves that I can't remember the exact names for. It's the basic style of limiting where you can go by simply saying "You can't open the gate without the hammer!" or "You can't jump that high without the SUPER DUPER JUMP!"

No complaints there. It's just how this kind of game goes. There were a few times where I wish I could access the different jumps faster/easier. You have to click through them rather than being able to select them on the bottom screen. It is dedicated to being the RPG menu, but they could have made a quicker method of ability changing if they wanted to. Not a real complaint, but I kept scrolling too fast and having to go through it. GETTING BACK ON TRACK.

The exploration style is a classic in its own way though. It leaves you wanting to return to previous areas because you remember that one spot you couldn't get to. The backtracking is generally well rewarded with stat boosting items (Beans) and equipment. However, I can't say that I just loved walking around. After a while, exploring an old area can get old because you have to jump through hoops (almost literally) to go from one spot to another. They do add Warp Pipes, but those have a limited use and range. It's not bad, but it's still something worth mentioning.

Now, in a more regular style of RPG, this would be insanely annoying with all the random encounters getting in your way as you simply traveled from one side of the map to the other. For Dream Team, this isn't a problem because the game has visible enemies on the map. With the enemies visible, you're able to get a preemptive strike by either jumping on them or smacking them with your hammer. As you advance to later game, enemies from earlier on can be killed by simply jumping or hammering them. You do still go into battle, but it'll end immediately from the preemptive strike.

When you aren't exploring the overworld of Pi'illio Island, you are deep within the depths of the Dream World. (Aka the reason it's called "Dream Team") Dream World exploration differs from real world exploration in that it's a flat 2D world rather than a 2D one. Alongside that is the fact that Mario is real in the Dream World, but Luigi is actually "Dreamy Luigi". (Long story short, Luigi is the dreamer whom is used to enter the Dream World.) The main elements of the Dream World involves using Dreamy Luigi and his dream abilities to solve puzzles and pass through areas. It does change things up ever so often, but it's really more of the same in the end.

If the "adventure platforming" is the first half of the game, then the rest of the game is the "battles that involve precision and timing on top of RPG elements". The battles are definitely one of the biggest parts of the game, and they're easily the most challenging (as they should be). The precision and timing required throughout for battles gets progressively harder and harder as it goes. This was probably my biggest problem with the game because in the end... I suck.

Battles are turn based affairs, and Mario and Luigi are separately controlled by the A and B button. This is major part to remember as A and B control the duo whenever they do special Bros Attacks or needing to dodge enemy attacks. This is where the precise timing element comes into play. Now, in all honesty, you could probably beat the game without doing well on the timing elements, but I would like to say that the game will be two or three times more difficult if you can't.

I won't reveal any true spoilers, but the final boss has a way to heal up while you deal with underlings. If you can't deal with them quickly or effectively, he heals everything you threw at him since the beginning of battle... I got very frustrated at this, and I was honestly on the border of just quitting then and there. I was satisfied once I finally pushed past it and won, but it was a very, very annoying battle. It's one part more difficulty than I am used to (for an RPG), but another part makes it feel frustrating to have so much trouble because of what seems like a cheap tactic. You fight a lot of battles, and if you can't get the timing down, the game is going to just make you frustrated.

Now, beyond that blatant complaint of mine, I'd say that gameplay is pretty much golden here. Of course, I still need to cover the RPG elements. Realistically? They're pretty simple in this game. You have HP, BP (Bro Points), Attack (affects Jump and Hammer), Defense, Speed, and Stache (Luck). Stats go up as you level, but you have the ability to boost a single stat via roulette at each level. Doing well at this allows you to boost a stat an extra +1 to +5! Of course, they have a system in place to keep you from constantly boosting the same thing. Long story short, the roulette changes to lesser values as you focus on one, but the others gain higher values as you ignore them. (If that makes sense...)

Kinda throwing this here at random, but I'd like to mention that there is one kind of battle that truly stands out in my head... Giant battles! Dreamy Luigi summons multiple Luigis and forms a GIANT LUIGI. You then use this to battle other giant foes. It's the best parts both graphically and battle-y. The battles are fun and challenging, and they're just fun to watch and interact in. The only bummer is that... There are only five or six of these "Giant battles" in the entire game. Beyond that fact, the part I liked the most.

And in the end, it's a good and simple system going on here. The RPG elements are strong enough to keep in old RPG-ers but don't feel so complex as to be off putting to others. Battles are fast-paced and challenging, but they can be frustrating at times with the button timing required. Exploration is rewarding but can get tedious when trying to just find a few things. I'd definitely say the gameplay is both well done and great fun. If you aren't in for action RPGs though... I'd probably stay away.

But if it's story you are looking for! Then I'll say that Dream Team does deliver here. For me, the best part of the story was that it's pretty straightforward and simple. With everybody trying to be "deep and meaningful" all the time, it's nice to find a story that's light-hearted and cheerful on the outside and inside. There is plenty of plot going on, but every character doesn't need to have a life story. (Although in this case, if you don't know their life story, I can say they don't have much of one. lol)

Yes, in general, the story to the game involves Bowser capturing Peach and trying to take over the place, but there are more elements to the story that come before and after that. The Pi'illio people, their island, and their history intertwines with the adventure and fate of our two heroes. You explore the island and learn more and more about its backstory and the people.

When you start up, it doesn't look like Bowser will be the main enemy for the story. You learn about an evil bat who took the power of dreams and tried to conquer the place. The Pi'illio people managed to seal him away in the dream world, but at the same time, they were also sealed as stone artifacts around the island. You spend a portion of the game hunting those down and restoring them opens paths and other various things. It's enjoyable story with lots of background information and such for the area. Every game in the series does something like this. (Exploring a foreign land and what have you.)

Had they kept with the evil bat, Antasma, as the main villain, I'd have liked the game quite a bit more. Don't get me wrong, Bowser is an enjoyable villain, but then he shows up to take the spotlight. It's kinda... overly expected? I'm not saying it's bad so much as I want a change. I thought Antasma was the better villain here, but then he ended up getting overshadowed by Bowser in the end. (Moreso in that Antasma is the next to last boss battle whereas Bowser is the last but in a SUPER FORM mode.)

In the end though, that's really my only complaint about the story. If you look over/ignore/don't give a crap about that, then you'll enjoy the generally light-hearted but still serious story. It's a typical story for the Mario RPG series, but it's still enjoyable nonetheless. But of course, you can't have a good story without good characters!

As you may realize, this Mario game stars many of the large and ever-growing cast of Mario regulars. There's the main star, Mario, of course, and he brings along his often under-appreciated brother, Luigi, as well as Princess Peach. As you realize at this point, Bowser also comes into the game and makes sure that he claims the villain throne. Apart from them and the usual cast of secondary characters (Toads, Toadsworth, Yoshis, specialized Bowser minions), we also bring in a rather enjoyable group of new characters.

The new group of characters are definitely among the most enjoyable too! Probably my favorite character in the game would be Prince Dreambert.

Prince Dreambert - Full Body look (Usually just floats around as a pillow...)

 Prince Dreambert is the leader of the Pi'illios and your guide and helper as you traverse Pi'illio Island and Dream World. Most instances involve him suggesting where you should go or try to do next. However, as you explore more and more, you start to gain a better look at his personality. There were many points in the game where I couldn't help but laugh at the situations. (Keep in mind, Mario & Luigi RPGs keeps pretty easy going and tends to use a lot of slapstick, puns, and awkward situation jokes.) I really liked Dreambert overall, and he was probably my favorite new character for the game.

Now if I had to list a second favorite, I'd definitely point at Antasma.

Antasma - Full body look (Usually just a bat)

He's an evil bat that changed himself into a full villain through the power of dreams and nightmares. Even though he got overshadowed by Bowser in the end, I felt he was the better villain in the game, and the final battle against him was waaay better than the one against Bowser. Of course, SPOILERS!, as with most of the games in the series, Bowser ends up being the final enemy/boss somehow, or he becomes directly intertwined in the story when he previously wasn't. Regardless, I'll still have a place for Antasma in my heart.

Of course, the overall main characters of the game are Mario and Luigi. The two brothers are a great time and a hilarious duo throughout the game. The best part of this game is that Luigi gets a bigger spotlight than usual. Between the two brothers, I've found myself liking Luigi more and more. Why so? Because Luigi has about ten times more personality than Mario has ever had. In the end, Mario is just the leading hero man who is always brave and willing to face down Bowser.

Luigi on the other hand has a bit more to him than that. He's more than just "Sir Brave Face" because he generally acts quirkier than Mario. He tends to act cowardly. He's clumsy and forgetful. Despite it all though, he's always willing to suck it up and fight for justice! This isn't saying Mario's characteristics are bad, but I feel they're kinda boring compared to Luigi. Considering Nintendo has had their "Year of Luigi", this game is pretty much a perfect fit in that slot. Luigi shines in his spot as the "almost" lead character. GO LUIGI!

If I had to name a weakness of the characters... It's probably that they aren't thought-provokingly deep. If you want a deep character with ties to things and SUDDEN TWISTS... then you won't find that here. Much like the story, the characters are pretty much what you see and what you get. The characters are still enjoyable for what they are though, and lots of hilarious little bits that take place throughout make them that much more fun. So all in all, the characters get a pass!

Now, as you may remember, every portion of the game has passed my standards, but will the game get a perfect score? All my points, so it's time to look through the major pros and cons!

PROS

• Good looking game with enjoyable and awesome music.
• A fairly lengthy game for being of the handheld variety.
• Great combination of platform adventuring and turn-based battles with timing elements. 
• A style of battles that are both fun and challenging.
• RPG style and stats that are simplified enough for newbies but enough meat to bring in an old veteran.
• Giant Battles are awesome!
• A light-hearted story full of the lovable Mario cast.
• An interesting new setting at Pi'illio Island with the Pi'illio people. 
• Overall, another entry in the fantastic Mario & Luigi RPG series.

CONS 

• The setting is enjoyable, but it's really heavily Mario-style. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it's getting kinda old if you ask me.
• Backtracking is generally okay, but it gets annoying in the larger areas.
• If you're unable to get the timing and precision right in battles, the game just gets a lot harder from there. 
• The story and characters aren't the deepest portions of this video game pool and may leave you wanting more. 

And for the final score...

My Rating - 8 out of 10.

I greatly enjoyed my experience with the game, but I never felt like it was quite perfect. I admit that part of the score is the sheer difficulty and annoyance that the battles brought me late game, but there wasn't really any way to soften those battles other than avoid them. Avoiding battles in an RPG is almost always a mistake when you get further on so... Moving on!

It's still a really great game, but it's never really evolved from what the original games did. This is both a good and bad thing. Evolving how a game works can possibly make a series better, but too much change can easily break the series back down. In this case, it could definitely use some sort of change to spice it up a bit. I'm not sure what it could be, but I feel like it needs a big change, much like every Nintendo series since forever. (But I'm not going to argue anything about that here.) ANYWAYS!

The main questions you should ask if you are interested in this game are...

1. Do you own a 3DS? YES or NO
2. Do you want an RPG for your 3DS? YES or NO
3. Are you a fan of Mario, Luigi, and cohorts? YES or NO

If you answered YES to any of those, then I'd say GO FOR IT! (The first one takes the most precedence of course.) Mario & Luigi Dream Team is a great action-y RPG with challenging gameplay that's fun and easy to pick up for anybody. Go check it out now and enjoy!

~May the Crystals Guide Me~