Z Space Blog - Nintendo DS

Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja » Advanced Gameplay Guide

2012-09-23T18:15:45-07:00

Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja is a fun roguelike produced by Success and published by Atlus. Like most roguelikes, Izuna is tough and comes with its own system of advancement. At first glance, it's not clear how to improve one's equipment. A friend and I sat down and tried to locate some more specific information on the game, and came up empty-handed. In typical fashion, I proposed that we figure it out and make our findings available to others. The result is this guide!

Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja » Advanced Gameplay Guide, version 1.2 — updated 2011-10-15.

2022-07-28 UPDATE: I'm quite proud of this guide, and fondly remember the time I spent with said friend.

Mario Kart DS » Game Mechanics Guide

2012-09-23T18:11:25-07:00

When Mario Kart DS was released in 2005, I was impressed by the amount of detail in each kart's stats. As I began playing more seriously and taking part in Nintendo's first global online game, it was clear to me that there was more than meets the eye and somebody needed to cover it. Thus, the Game Mechanics Guide was born. It enjoyed some mild popularity on GameFAQs and Neoseeker while I was a part of those communities.

Mario Kart DS » Game Mechanics Guide, version 1.7 — updated 2011-10-15.

Radiant Historia Review

2012-08-27T23:13:45-07:00

Every now and then, a game comes out that looks unassuming, but has a hidden, interesting side that takes you by surprise. This aspect is true of Radiant Historia, a turn-based JRPG for the Nintendo DS developed by Atlus and Headlock Studio. One of the aspects of Radiant Historia that comes out of left field is the time traveling mechanic, which allows you to explore two different paths of history. If you enjoyed Chrono Trigger and enjoy revisiting the same place in different points in recent history, you'll warm up to Radiant Historia. Gamers who don't care for backtracking or subtle time puzzles will want to skip this one.

Graphics

Radiant Historia sports a neat art style. Environments are rendered in 3-D while characters and obstacles are 2-D sprites. This makes different elements clear to the player without any obnoxious "helper" graphics like black outlines or incessant glowing, etc.

The graphic style is sort of low-key for the environments; they seem to mostly get out of the way. It's a refreshing turn from what's usually present in JRPGs, and is more inviting than the usual "Check ALL the bushes" mentality that's encouraged in some JRPGs. Sprites are animated very well. Aht's swaying in battle, "brandishing" animations when it's the character's turn to receive a command, and the design of the characters themselves are all great. The graphics may become a bit dull over time out of battle, but they remain interesting in-battle. Atlus has some pixel know-how. :)

The concept art is top notch. It shows a strong understanding of character design and use of color. Stocke's red outfit is both stylish and reminiscent of European armor designs. Aht looks like an elegant dancer, and Marco's get-up looks like he really is carrying a bunch of potions and healing items. There are other characters that sport equally solid designs, but I don't spoil games that aren't classics already.

Music

I'm listening to the OST right now. Does that tell you anything? If not, maybe a name drop will: Yoko Shimomura. She's partly responsible for Kingdom Hearts' music, and composed all the music for Radiant Historia. My favorite tracks are Alistel's main theme and the ending credits theme, -HISTORIA-.

The soundtrack as a whole takes on a somber, pretty feel when you're out and about. Seeing as how world is slowly eroding to dust, this theme is fitting. The standard battle theme is unobtrusive and seems to encourage focus and intensity instead of raw power. The boss themes on the other hand, are in-your-face epic and carry a sense of urgency. "The Edge of Green" (mid-chapter bosses) in particular does a very good job of sparking the player's spirit.

Long story short, this game's soundtrack is easily its best aspect.

Difficulty

Once you get the hang of the battle system, I'd say the difficulty in Radiant Historia is decidedly average. A few battles will push you to really think about how to bunch the enemy up to capitalize on combo bonuses, some will use turn order to mess with your tactics, and others will test your knowledge of your abilities and how many turns they last. Veteran gamers will meet this difficulty with only minor issue, while average and casual gamers will have a little bit of trouble. The difficulty's not too harsh, however, and you can always grind to lessen it.

Gameplay

There are two primary phases of gameplay: in-battle and out-of-battle. The former is where you'll be spending a lot of your time, believe it or not. The fights are not overwhelmingly common like they are in traditional JRPGs. You seem enemies on the overworld as you travel, and can choose to avoid the vast majority of them. This makes Radiant Historia a good candidate for low-level runs. However, this also means that if you avoid fighting too much, you'll end up too weak to progress at an acceptable pace.

In-battle, it's closer to a tactical SRPG than a standard turn-based JRPG. Your enemies are laid out in a 3×3 grid and are allowed to move around during the course of the battle. Your characters aren't afforded this mobility, but some of them have skills that will move the enemy around. Put together the right skills and the right turn order (through the "Change" command), and you can wipe out regular enemies pretty handily. It's important to practice this, because it becomes more important as you progress and the enemies get tougher. When it's all said and done, though, the gameplay is still standard JRPG fare with a little spin on things.

It's a welcome spin, but it comes with some nitpicks:

Skills that move the enemy around are rather pricey (5-15 MP)
MP cannot easily be regenerated (the skill costs 12 MP and the item is rare)
Some bosses have far too much HP and needlessly drag out the battle (this may be intentional...)

Overall, battles are fairly enjoyable, but will start to annoy you a bit toward the end, when they introduce more enemies that can't be moved on the grid.

Story

Radiant Historia begins with a man named Stocke, who's been assigned to the Special Intelligence unit of Alistel's army. It seems that Granorg, the country to the west, is the cause of a "sand sickness" which is eroding the world and turning people into sand. What starts out as a clear goal to our friend Stocke turns into a much broader adventure through the continent of Vainqueur and time itself. As it progresses, the story plays around with the player's expectations, questions the rationale of characters, and exposes what most would consider "evil" as merely a different perspective on the same circumstances. It's not necessarily something that I'd sit down with for nights on end, like a book, but the story does a better job than many other JRPGs out there, and stayed interesting enough for me to want to know what happens next. So I'd say it's pretty good.

Final Verdict

Radiant Historia is what most would call a "sleeper hit", which came out of nowhere, introduced a new take on the time-traveling formula, and brought some memorable characters and gorgeous music. It has some tedious points, which delayed me finishing the game for a while¹, but they weren't bad or long enough to kill the enjoyment for me.

If you enjoy JRPGs -- especially ones that question existing formulae -- I think you'll like Radiant Historia. If you want a fast-paced, action-style game that's light on the dialogue, Radiant Historia is not what you're looking for.

Metadata

Platform: Nintendo DS
US Release Date: 2011-02-22
Genres: JRPG, Turn-based
Developer: Atlus, Headlock, Inc
ESRB Rating: E10+

Real life also got in the way... ↩

Shantae: Risky's Revenge Review

2012-07-15T23:14:02-07:00

Shantae is a half-genie who lives on the outskirts of a place called Scuttle Town. Her first appearance was in the GameBoy Color cult hit Shantae. I'll be honest: I don't know why Shantae got the attention that it has, even on the DSi. Between the unclear game progression, a shop that's hardly labeled, and controls that aren't as responsive as they should be, Shantae: Risky's Revenge leaves much to be desired.

Before I begin, keep in mind that this game comes with a 1200 DSi Point price. That's $12 USD. I don't consider this game worth the $12 I paid for it. Its graphics are nice, and the music's decent, but everything else is lacking. It's a shame, because if this game had focused more on replayability or something to make the gameplay more varied and interesting, you'd have a winner.

Graphics

I cover graphics first because it's the first thing you see. The graphics in Shantae: Risky's Revenge are very well drawn; some of which by people I've spoken to on a forum named Pixelation. There's no doubt in my mind that the graphics were produced professionally by people that know what they're doing. Each of the game's locales have detailed, expressive backgrounds that show a strong understanding of light and shape. Scuttle Town looks like an old-styled Middle Eastern town, the plains look open and vast, caves look dank and cramped, and so on.

Animation is equally good, though the design of enemies is a bit lacking. The only enemies that really stick out to me are the archers and mermaids, the latter of which were the only overworld enemy that took a strategy beyond "duck and keep hitting."

Music

Each track in Shantae: Risky's Revenge reflects the locale pretty well. Dungeon music is somewhat repetitive, but everything else fits together. My favorite track is the desert theme, which keeps a peppy tone while you're navigating the various pits and moving platforms. I'm a sucker for those instruments, too.

Sound effects don't stand out (which is a good thing); no complaints there either. You'll hear the "fwip" of Shantae's hair quite a bit, though, so get used to it.

Difficulty

This depends on whether or not you find the shop, where you can purchase spells and upgrades for gems. I didn't discover it until the game was almost over, so the only spell I had available to me for most of the game was the starting Fireball. Even with the unintentional handicap, the game's difficulty was manageable. With the upgrades, it's cake. You'll only have difficulty with bosses.

Gameplay

I'll be frank; this game does not stand up to $12 of value. If it were $5, I wouldn't be so harsh on it. But considering it's the most expensive DSiWare game, it should live up to its price. Cave Story, which is cheaper, is the better game. And that was made by one person in his spare time! It's also an adventure-oriented platformer, just like Shantae.

The gist of Shantae: Risky's Revenge's gameplay is "hit hit hit, jump, dodge, hit hit hit". Enemies have little in the way of AI and are easily predicted. Any difficulty in regular enemies comes in the number of hits needed to kill them. The max being somewhere around 10 (without upgrades). In similar fashion, that's how bosses are difficult, too. The patterns are extremely predictable, yet they have tons of HP. So it's a gauntlet to see how long you can maintain the pattern, not a matter of how well you can predict and punish the pattern. WayForward could learn a thing or two from the Mega Man series. Their bosses have more HP, but not insanely so. They also have multiple behaviors that they can bust out at any time.

There are the spells and belly-dancing forms, but neither of them do enough to break up the gameplay style. If Shantae's alternate forms could be used in combat more often and came with their own set of spells, I could see the game being a lot more fun. Ultimately, the game just needs more of what made it nominally interesting in the first place: more forms, more spells, better AI, and a reason to play again. That last one's the most important. There's a reason I play through Super Mario Bros. (the long way) every month: it has replay value!

Story

It's really not worth mentioning. It's a platformer, not a deep adventure or RPG. The gist of it is "Risky, the evil pirate, has come back for the lamp! You need to stop her, Shantae!" Cue random artifact fetch quest.

Final Verdict

At the end of the day, this game's been done before. It's just another pretty, empty platformer. If you're looking for something casual, pretty, and expensive, Shantae: Risky's Revenge will suit you well. If you're a die hard platformer or a gaming veteran like me, steer clear and get Cave Story instead. It has a much more interesting plot, deeper gameplay, and is also available on the DSi Shop.

Metadata

Platform: DSiWare
US Release Date: 2010-10-04
Genres: Action, Adventure, Platformer, Sidescrolling
Developer: WayForward Technologies
ESRB Rating: E-10+ (Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence, Suggestive Themes)

Etrian Odyssey » Class Skill Trees

2011-10-15T08:09:53-07:00

I've been playing Etrian Odyssey and was looking around for skill trees so I could plan a proper party. Nowhere I looked offered what I was looking for, so I gathered the data and made my own diagrams! After a little sprucing up, it turned into a FAQ.

Etrian Odyssey » Class Skill Trees, ver. 1.1 — updated 2012-08-06

It features fairly easy-to-read diagrams and skill cost highlights so you can plan your skill spreads accordingly. Enjoy.

Pokémon SoulSilver Review

2010-05-19T20:24:04-07:00

The 2nd generation of Pokémon games (Gold, Silver, and Crystal) is widely regarded as the best; it brought gamers two new types, a brand new set of varied moves, breeding, and is the only Pokémon generation to date to sport two regions, totalling 16 badges to earn. In many ways, the 2nd generation brought innovations well before its time, and Game Freak hadn't trumped or matched that success... until HeartGold and SoulSilver.

Make no mistake; HeartGold and SoulSilver are the pinnacle of Pokémon games. Even with the 5th generation Black and White versions on the horizon, I am convinced that Game Freak will not surpass what they have achieved with HeartGold and SoulSilver. If you played the original Gold, Silver, or Crystal, then you owe it to yourself to get HeartGold or SoulSilver. If you preferred the 3rd or 4th generation... you may not enjoy the heavy Japanese influence and classic-but-new feel. Above all, this game will devour your gaming time like a Snorlax goes through food.

Warning: Mild spoilers ahead, for those who haven't played the originals.

Graphics

The first thing veterans of the 2nd generation will notice is that the graphics are greatly enhanced. No longer is the game system limited to 2 layers of 8-bit graphics. Instead, we're treated to a half-3D, half-2D game that brings out the charm that Gold and Silver were known for. As someone who prefers 2-D over 3-D, I still enjoy the graphics of HeartGold and SoulSilver.

The biggest graphical improvement compared to the originals is in-battle. Pokémon look much better than they did back in 2nd generation, sporting sprites with upwards of 16 colors instead of a paltry four (though to be specific, one color is always used for transparency). Backgrounds in-battle reflect the lighting conditions and time of day, and moves are flashier than ever. Every 2-D graphic is well made and smooth looking, from the item and battle menus to the overworld sprites and touch screen buttons.

Needless to say, the graphics are a large leap above what we had back in the GameBoy Color days.

Music

The original Gold and Silver sported many memorable tunes and fun remixes for Kanto. HeartGold and SoulSilver are no different, bringing us a wide variety of remixed music. The Japanese influence is evident in Professor Elm's Lab, Ecruteak City, and the Bell Tower, while most other tracks are the same peppy, light-hearted music we've come to expect from the Pokémon series. Other tracks that stand out are the gym leader battle themes, the wild Pokémon battle themes, and the music that accompanies Lugia and Ho-oh in-battle.

Moreso than any other Pokémon game, the music is pleasant and doesn't annoy at any point. As an added bonus, you can unlock the original sounds after you get all 16 badges. While not being 100% identical to the original music, it's close enough to feel classic, and that's the point.

I put the music up there with the graphics in terms of quality. I've never once wanted to turn my DS's volume down because of the music.

Difficulty

I have one word for you: Gyarados. I don't know what they did to him, but he became MEAN. Hyperbole aside, many monsters have been improved as a result of being in the 4th generation battle system. Monsters such as Yanma, Beedrill, and Sneasel who used to be limited by their lack of good moves or bad typing are now formidable monsters that can hold their own. My Beedrill was able to take down Sabrina's Alakazam after eating a Psychic attack and downed him with Twineedle, for instance. There's no way Beedrill could've eaten a Psychic back in 2nd generation.

That said, the difficulty is slightly increased. Thanks to being in the 4th generation battle system, the game has taken on a more offensive approach, with status inflictions being used before sweeping and a stronger focus on specializing. Also, the levels for gym leaders, the Elite 4, and Red have risen, offering veteran trainers more challenge. As if that wasn't enough, the Elite 4 have a round two, where levels max at 75 or so. Now you'll think twice before challenging the Elite 4 a second time.

Overall, the difficulty is on par with that of Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. Perhaps a little higher. Due to the nature of being an RPG, however, even newbie gamers can overcome the difficulty just by grinding.

Gameplay

Wow... where do I begin? Many, many changes have been made compared to the original games. For starters, the 4th gen battle system means that every type of move has physical and special moves, which adds much more variety to the battle system and makes certain Pokémon more effective.

Gone are the cell phone and item limitations; you can store every trainer's cell number in your PokéGear and can hold as many items as you need to. Also gone are the swarm-specific phone calls; you can listen in on Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk to learn about swarming Pokémon now. The Goldenrod City Department Store now has a daily lottery for special items, and the Goldenrod Radio Tower changes its lottery number every day as well.

Adding to this, there is a complete Battle Frontier just north of Route 40, where the Battle Tower used to be in Crystal. Also present is the Safari Zone, located west of Cianwood City, past two brand new routes. As if that wasn't enough, there's a brand new Pokéathlon Dome just west of the Johto National Park, where you can enter your Pokémon in Pokémon Stadium-like mini-games and earn points to purchase prizes.

You may also get the phone numbers of gym leaders and challenge them again under the right conditions. When you rebattle them, their lineups change and their levels are higher, so they are truly challenging even after you've earned every badge. Another great improvement is the Berry Pots item, which allows you to grow berries on the go without ever needing to revisit a bunch of soil spots.

The sheer number of improvements in HeartGold and SoulSilver is incredible, and veterans of the originals will no-doubt be pleased by all the new content.

I have one complaint, however; as a result of some sort of censorship, the Game Corners no longer sport slot machines. You cannot buy coins anymore, either. Instead, you must play a game called "Voltorb Flip" — a strange mix of minesweeper and picross — to earn coins. That, combined with the insanely priced Flamethrower, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt TMs (10,000 coins) means that the Game Corner is no longer a reliable means to get those moves. You're better off breeding.

Considering all of the great additions in spite of this gripe, however, I cannot say in good-faith that this game has nothing short of awesome gameplay. The variety of things you can do in the game is mind-boggling; if you're bored, it's your own fault.

Story

It's Pokémon.

...Okay, fine. You play as a young person aiming to explore the world with Pokémon and complete a computerized encyclopedia known as a Pokédex. Along the way, you will face up to bullies, bring down a terrorist syndicate, help a sick Pokémon, and learn about the legends surrounding Lugia, Ho-oh, Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. After you prove your worth to the Champion, you are granted access to Kanto, where you can prove that Johto produces awesome trainers as well. At the climax of your journey, you will face off against Red -- the kid who brought down Team Rocket the first time -- in an epic battle set atop a large mountain in the middle of a snowstorm. Only there can you prove if you have what it takes to be a Pokémon Master.

Final Verdict

Just in case you couldn't tell, I like this game. I think it's worth every cent I paid for it and worthy of being called a remake. Game Freak outdid themselves for the second time; so much so that I doubt they will produce another game quite this good. If you played through the original Gold and Silver and hate what they did to the franchise in 3rd and 4th generation, buy HeartGold or SoulSilver; they are a prime example of what modern Pokémon should be like, and should be the standard in which all future generations are compared to.

Metadata

Platform: Nintendo DS
Release date (US): 2010-03-14
Genre: RPG
Developer: Game Freak, Inc.
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Review

2010-01-17T05:42:14-08:00

As the fifteenth entry in the Legend of Zelda series, Spirit Tracks has rather large boots to fill. With each iteration, gamers expect a grander, more immersive and innovative experience as they plod across Hyrule or another interesting world. For those of you who played through Phantom Hourglass, you will find that Spirit Tracks feels a lot like it in play control, but is nothing like it in overall feel. Even if you didn't like Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks may have the right combination of elements to please you. Regardless, it's Zelda. And that means it's worth purchasing.

Graphics

The visuals in Spirit Tracks borrow heavily from the style that Phantom Hourglass established. This shouldn't be surprising, as it's running a marginally upgraded version of the same engine. As far as 3-D games on the DS go, Spirit Tracks is quite large. There are some places where the texture work is blocky due to the limitations in the DS's processing ability. Most models on the overworld are simplified to improve the DS's draw distance, and many repetitive objects (such as trees) are sprites that look the same from any angle. In what I like to call "action areas", the graphics look and feel much more like Zelda. It's clear that more effort was put into the action areas, where it belongs. All things considered, it looks pretty good for the DS. Despite that, any DS fan will tell you that the 3-D on the DS is not spectacular, so don't go into Spirit Tracks expecting high quality visuals. They're simplistic and — in some places — crude, but they get the job done with what little 3-D processing the DS has. My only complaint is that the game could have looked better if they had stuck to regular two-tone cel-shading. Instead, they used 3 to 4 layers of shading, and that really cut into the processing budget for the game. Nitpicking aside, the graphics fit the theme of the game, and that's what's most important.

Music

Sound is one of the more important aspects of a video game in my opinion. Spirit Tracks has a simple and memorable soundtrack, with an emphasis on woodwinds, slap drums, guitar, and violin. The result is interesting, and is the first of its kind in the Zelda series. The game has a strong acoustic feel that no other Zelda has, with its lighthearted but bittersweet title theme, adventurous and catchy overworld music, and Byrne's mysterious, string-heavy theme. While not quite as solid a soundtrack as Majora's Mask or The Wind Waker, Spirit Tracks manages to separate itself from other Zeldas and forge its own identity. I think it's a great musical direction and look forward to more music like it from future Zelda games.

Difficulty

One of the problems plaguing most games today is a lack of difficulty. Unlike its predecessor, Spirit Tracks manages to keep a steady difficulty, occasionally upping the ante when it comes time to push the veterans, such as the Defeat-Them-All Challenge in Hyrule Castle Town, which is like a boss rush mode. I still haven't managed to beat it without using potions. The puzzles in this game were crafted by the programmers instead of the level designers, so they often force players to think in ways that they normally wouldn't, which I think is the point of solving puzzles. I won't give anything away, but when I solved some of the harder puzzles, I felt quite dumb. It's puzzles like those that are the most rewarding and help your creative thinking. Nintendo should let the programmers design puzzles from now on, to keep challenging gamers to think in unconventional ways. Overall, the difficulty is pretty good for the veteran, and somewhat difficult for the newcomer. The game places plenty of hints about for puzzles, but also leaves certain puzzles completely unlabeled, so both levels of gamer should be able to get something out of the game.

Gameplay

What can I say? The game plays in a very straightforward way. While on the overworld, you get speed and direction controls, and the camera is manipulated by touching the screen and moving the stylus in your desired direction, just like in Phantom Hourglass. Tapping an object will fire a bomb at it (provided you have the cannon). Most of the controls in Spirit Tracks are just like Phantom Hourglass. A few things were changed for the better: firstly, rolling is performed simply by double-tapping in the desired direction. I think that was a good fix, since moving the stylus in a small circle to roll in Phantom Hourglass was somewhat tiresome and didn't always work. Double-tapping makes more sense and is easier to execute. Another fix I noticed is performing a spin attack. It's rather responsive this time around, so if you find yourself in a pinch don't hesitate to draw a large or even a small circle around Link. Aside from these fixes, it's standard Zelda fare; you explore towns and areas in the wilderness, open up a temple, defeat the boss, and restore some of the Spirit Tracks so you can access more of the world. Due to the changes in difficulty and setting, Spirit Tracks offers more interesting gameplay than Phantom Hourglass.

There's plenty to do while you're out exploring caves and dungeons, too. When you're riding across Hyrule in your train, you'll come across rabbits hanging out on top of boulders. Once you get to a certain point in the game, you'll be able to capture these little guys and bring them to a sort of bunny ranch, where the owner will reward your efforts at catching them. Also present are stamp stations hidden throughout Hyrule, challenging cavalier explorers to get them all. As if this wasn't enough, you can also carry passengers and cargo on your train once you get the passenger and freight cars. When you're on these quests, you have to be careful and pay attention to what's going on. If you don't drive your train properly by following the signs, your passenger will get angry, and if you let enemies hit your train you'll lose some of your cargo. It's a refreshing challenge compared to the so-so sailing that was present in Phantom Hourglass. The train is a bit slower in the long run, but much more interesting.

Items are another part of Zelda that form the backbone. Without interesting and innovative items, Zelda tends to fall flat. Thankfully, Spirit Tracks brings a few new items to the table. The first is the Whirlwind, which acts similarly to the Gust Jar from Minish Cap. It creates a gust of wind that can move enemies and items a short distance. Another is the Snake Whip, which can snatch certain items and allows Link to swing across chasms. There's one other interesting item, but I don't want to spoil the surprise.

The final piece of innovation in Spirit Tracks is the introduction of Zelda as Link's helper character. It's amazing how it took 24 years for Nintendo to bring us the duo working together to save the world instead of Link always saving her. Giving Zelda a more proactive role better establishes her character and attitude, being Tetra's descendant. Games could do with more sass in their female characters instead of the typical damsel in distress or barely-dressed harlot. Bravo, Nintendo, for better representing the fairer sex. I look forward to seeing more of Zelda and Link working together.

Final Verdict

Spirit Tracks is probably one of the last good games that will hit the DS before a successor comes along. The DS has had somewhat of a drought of good games in the past 6 months; the only other noteworthy games in recent memory being Bowser's Inside Story, Phantasy Star Zero, and Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days. This is one of the games that any adventure game lover should have. If you enjoyed Phantom Hourglass, you'll love this game. If you thought Phantom Hourglass was so-so and a bit tedious, borrow it from a friend and see if you like the changes. I'm confident you'll find something to like about the game, even if you're not a big fan.

Metadata

Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Release date (US): 2009-12-07
Genre: Action, Adventure
Developer(s): Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Review

2009-11-16T02:26:49-08:00

Mario and Luigi are iconic Nintendo mascots who have been through many adventures, both together and separately. Thankfully, the adventures they go on together end up being a lot funnier. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is the third game in the Mario & Luigi series, which started on the GameBoy Advance with Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. Like the two games before it, Bowser's Inside Story has a self-contained plot, a ridiculous and hilarious story, and an engaging battle system that tests your observation skills.

Graphics

Bowser's Inside Story features some of the smoothest animation I've seen in sprites. Everything in the game is colorful and light-hearted, even when you're in the depths of caves, the ocean, even Bowser's Castle itself. Those who "stop to smell the flowers", so to speak, are in for a lot of fun little details. The graphics are largely simplistic, but you can't help but smile when watching Luigi's silly animations or recoil at the gross things that go on in Bowser's belly. Overall, the game practically oozes polish and attitude, just how we like our Mario games!

Music

Most of the music in the game is quite nice, and suits each area well. The music in Bowser's Castle can get a little annoying if you've been stuck for a while (like I was), but aside from that the music is great. The battle music in particular is good, and that's a plus because you're going to be fighting a lot; a given in RPGs. My favorite track would probably be Blubble Lake or Cavi Cape. At any rate, the music won't let you down.

The sound is simply awesome! Mario and Luigi still have their Italian-sounding gibberish, and Peach retains her typical high-pitched, damsel-in-distress voice. New to the scene is Bowser, who sounds a little more "fearsome" than you'd expect. It's still awesome, though. The sound effect for dizziness is very amusing; probably my favorite.

Difficulty

Veterans to Mario & Luigi will find that the timing for actions is a little tighter than in Superstar Saga and Partners in Time. That's good news for us. Those who lack good hand-eye coordination will find it a little difficult to get used to at first, but hopefully will be pulling off Excellent hits like second nature before the end. One of the features I enjoyed, even as a veteran, is the "Demo" arena where you can practice using Special Moves at no expense. Completionists take heed: You will need to master every special move!

Newcomers to gaming in general will be met with a rather large challenge. Enemies start out rather easy to kill, but later on you're going to need the precise timing and complex coordination if you hope to make it against the game's toughest enemies and bosses. Everyone's got to start somewhere though, and this game is a great one to start with. My sister (a newbie to gaming) was able to get through most of the game without help. If she can make it, I'm sure many others can as well.

A handy feature in the game is an item called the Retry Clock, which allows you to restart a battle if you get defeated. This saves players the trouble of having to reload from their last save. Thankfully these items are expensive and rare, so you will still have to earn your keep. :) Ultimately, the difficulty is just right for veterans and, though challenging to newcomers, the developers threw in plenty of helpful features to make the game less frustrating.

Gameplay

The main event! If I had to put it in one word, it would be "satisfying". As a veteran gamer who was pining for something really solid and fun, I greatly enjoyed this game for the 20 hours or so it took me to beat it. Playing as Bowser for the first time since 1995 or so is very fun, and makes you think differently about how you would fight a foe. It was a refreshing take on the same system. The game's also full of little minigames that you use to help Bowser out from the inside, or solve puzzles and complete quests. At the very least, they offer a change of pace. In addition to the established overhead view, Mario and Luigi can travel through the side-scrolling areas inside Bowser, and Bowser has a handful of giant boss battles that are handled exclusively with the stylus and microphone. Those fights were truly awesome and are a great example of what the DS was designed for. The game is truly innovative, and a blast to play. I would play through it again in a heartbeat.

Final Verdict

In an industry that continues to be pumped full of shallow, cheaply made games, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story stands out as an example of what other developers should aspire to create: enjoyable and challenging games that leave a lasting impression. If you own a DS or DSi, what are you waiting for? Buy this!

Metadata

Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Release date (US): 2009-09-14
Genre: Action, Platformer, Turn-based RPG
Developer(s): AlphaDream
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone