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[Dr. Wilkinson]

It's time to ditch the numbered score and go with Karack's review system that doesn't allow for divisive politics by abusing scores.

Yes we should change the paradigm of how we approach review scores because of one low review score for a Mario & Luigi game, from a single outlet.

 

[tkscz]

I'm surprised it's reviewing so badly -- sure, the start was quite slow for my liking, but the animations have been quite good and the characters have been interesting so far. I've been enjoying my time with it a lot and I just defeated the first major boss.

We have really got to stop thinking anything lower than a 8 is bad. Hell, even 8 is starting to be considered not that good. An overall 79 is still a great game.

 

[FoxMcChief]

Time to make the “Mario Brothers” trans!

 

[Feel Like I'm On 42]

This suffers from the usual modern Nintendo approach to nerfing difficulty in every Mario game releases on Switch. Could be solved with a hard mode but Nintendo wants every gamer to easily complete these games and so, typically only the last 15% of a game has any challenge at all.

Every Switch Mario including the Mario Rpg and tTYD Remake has been easier than Mario's from past generations....pikmin 4 was too easy as well.

 

[mckmas8808]

How is it “reviewing badly”? It’s at a 79 Metacritic. IGN is one score. Out of several dozen. There are always outliers.

Good point.

 

[TintoConCasera]

Looks like comfy fun, probably not near as good as the first one on the GBA but still, might grab this later on once it's discounted.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Yes we should change the paradigm of how we approach review scores because of one low review score for a Mario & Luigi game, from a single outlet.

Dude, why do you overreact to everything? The numbered score is outdated trash and we all know it. You can't look at games in the last ten plus years and tell what's good from just looking at numbers. Sure, it's fun to predict the score or say x game is better than y game because so and so gave it a higher number, but it's in no way an accurate assessment of the quality of a game.

If they truly were good enough, then why do we have YouTubers who have made careers out of deep dive reviews that frankly don't exist within the so-called game journalist media? Remember the point of reviews? Inform the public about the quality of a game, not all this other stuff that has popped up that taints them.

Take away the score and guess what? The writer has to live or die on their words. Now look at that review for this game that has praise for the important elements of any given game, but weaponizes the score. Without that arbitrary number the whole dynamic of that review changes.

 

[Fbh]

The Metacritic is 79. Why is everyone making such a big deal about one score out of dozens and dozens? There’s always outliers with any game launch, this is no different. Other than some making such a big to do about it. Very odd

I don't really want to defend gaming media but It feels like reviewers can never win around here.
If they give everything high scores it's bad, but if they give a well known game a 7 or lower it's also bad. If every outlet gives a game a similar score it's bad but if some outlets give a certain game a significantly higher or lower score than the average it's also bad.

This one has me confused AF too

Wait that sounds like a good game to me WTF?! do these reviewers even reread what they wrote?

The quote is incomplete and lacking context.
They are saying that in their opinion instead of delivering an iterative sequel with a well written story Nintendo focused more on adding unnecessary gimmicks that don't really enhance the experience, and often end up making it worse. Earlier in the review they say they found the story surprising in how socially relevant it feels but also badly paced and with flat writing.

 

[Danjin44]

it looks fun, I wouldn’t mind getting this game but it’s too close to DQ III 2D-HD which I’m way more interested in playing.

 

[protonion]

I got it today and played through the first island.
Fans of the series will not be disappointed.
And it's a very pretty game. Excellent animations and very vibrant.

 

[Robb]

I got it today and played through the first island.
Fans of the series will not be disappointed.
And it's a very pretty game. Excellent animations and very vibrant.

Good to hear! My copy is arriving later today. Hopefully I’ll be able to make some time to play it this weekend.

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

I got it today and played through the first island.
Fans of the series will not be disappointed.
And it's a very pretty game. Excellent animations and very vibrant.

How does it run?

 

[LavitzSlambert]

Gimme a story with that level of fun and personality please!

Have you played The Messenger?

 

[Dr. Wilkinson]

I got it today and played through the first island.
Fans of the series will not be disappointed.
And it's a very pretty game. Excellent animations and very vibrant.

Good to hear! My copy is arriving later today. Hopefully I’ll be able to make some time to play it this weekend.

FYI The performance is very choppy. Like it consistently happens anytime you enter a new area. I guess eventually you get used to it, I’m ~5ish hours in, but it’s annoying. It’s at least as bad as the Link’s Awakening remake. Not sure what the cause is, data loading or what. Mario Odyssey is absolutely gorgeous and runs at 60 fps, and this game is far less visually beautiful, runs at 30 fps, and has constant hitching. (Again, I assume it’s something to do with loading in data).

I’m playing docked. Haven’t tried it in handheld.

 

[Robb]

FYI The performance is very choppy. Like it consistently happens anytime you enter a new area. I guess eventually you get used to it, I’m ~5ish hours in, but it’s annoying. It’s at least as bad as the Link to the Past remake. Not sure what the cause is, data loading or what. Mario Odyssey is absolutely gorgeous and runs at 60 fps, and this game is far less visually beautiful, runs at 30 fps, and has constant hitching. (Again, I assume it’s something to do with loading in data).

In playing docked. Haven’t tried it in handheld.

Yeah, I saw that mentioned in a few reviews. Sounds very unfortunate, but hopefully I’ll be able to get over it.. If not I guess I’ll just have to leave it be and hope “Switch 2” solves the issue by default/without needing a patch next year.

 

[Dr. Wilkinson]

How does it run?

It’s very hitchy basically every time you enter a new area. Reminds me a lot of the issue with the Link’s Awakening remake.

But fun factor wise I am quite enjoying it, it’s much more elaborate than any previous Mario & Luigi game. They’re doing a lot more than they’ve ever done before, that’s for sure.

 

[Rran]

Have you played The Messenger?

I have not, is it good?

 

[LavitzSlambert]

I have not, is it good?

It’s excellent, and like $4 on PSN right now (and often goes on sale on Steam and Nintendo eshop). It’s a 2D Ninja Gaiden style side scroller, so it plays nothing like Mario & Luigi, but it’s absolutely dripping with fun and personality. Dialogue in the game is great and you really feel the dev team’s (Sabotage Studio) personalities come through. One of the funniest games I’ve played.


Highly recommended unless you hate the genre. It can be challenging at times, but never frustrating. Try not to look up info or reviews about the game if you want to be surprised and delighted.

 

[Robb]

I should be playing this now expect the postal service screwed up my delivery.. Might have to wait until Monday now.

 

[Dacvak]

Lol I love that there’s just a fuckin “Luigi button” that makes Luigi do all the menial tasks, like breaking blocks for coins or picking turnips, while you walk around and talk to people. It’s literally just a “no u lol” button

 

[Dacvak]

You can tell pretty early on this game is Nintendo-levels of easy. I’ve decided I’m gonna do a “no healing item” run. I’ve made it 2.5 hours without using a healing item so far, so we’ll see if I can do the whole game like that.

It’s nice that you don’t auto-heal after leveling up. It actually makes conserving health a lot more difficult. I Game Over’d three times on a fight where I had 1hp with both bros, so I had to play it perfectly. The game is a lot more fun for me playing like that.

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

You can tell pretty early on this game is Nintendo-levels of easy. I’ve decided I’m gonna do a “no healing item” run. I’ve made it 2.5 hours without using a healing item so far, so we’ll see if I can do the whole game like that.

It’s nice that you don’t auto-heal after leveling up. It actually makes conserving health a lot more difficult. I Game Over’d three times on a fight where I had 1hp with both bros, so I had to play it perfectly. The game is a lot more fun for me playing like that.

Sounds like my type of game since I'm a lazy gamer

 

[Dacvak]

Sounds like my type of game since I'm a lazy gamer

 

[Robb]

Actually got my copy this morning!

Let’s go!

 

[Andyliini]

Just beat the first boss. Feels like the the game just opened up for real, since I got the first bros moves as well. These battles feel somehow more dynamic than before, thanks to Luigi logic.

Liking it so far.

 

[Robb]

Early impressions are kind of mixed for me. It’s a huge shame this only runs at 30fps given all the wonderful animations.

It’s pretty choppy in terms of performance, but nothing unbearable so far.

Artstyle is great, but the visuals looked better in the trailers than they do while playing imo. At least on a big TV.

Battles are super fun, I really like the dynamic between Mario/Luigi. And how they use elements in the backgrounds in some cases.

The biggest issue I have so far is that there’s a loading screen after every single battle. That stuff needs to be super smooth with quick in/out transitions. I’m kind of baffled that wasn’t ironed out before release.

 

[Robb]

Finished the first lighthouse yesterday. The game has really grown on me. Great humor and puns, boss battles are great, and I’ve already seen lots of Easter eggs/references to past games.

Haven’t had any issues with any platforming which I saw mentioned in some reviews. If anything I’d say the platforming in this one is way easier than in past games since you don’t have to keep track of Luigi.

This seems like a great return to form for the series!

 

[_g h 0 s t]

Finished the first lighthouse yesterday. The game has really grown on me. Great humor and puns, boss battles are great, and I’ve already seen lots of Easter eggs/references to past games.

Haven’t had any issues with any platforming which I saw mentioned in some reviews. If anything I’d say the platforming in this one is way easier than in past games since you don’t have to keep track of Luigi.

This seems like a great return to form for the series!

i will second this - i feel the exact same. i havent had a single performance issue either.

 

[Robb]

Did anyone else pick Luigi

Spoiler

as the captive?

Kind of sinister of the devs to hand out

Spoiler

two bros. moves afterwards.. I can’t use any of it.

The cutscene was funny though.

 

[Lokaum D+]

 

[PendekarRajawali]

5 from IGN

This game ain't woke enough.

 

[Dacvak]

So, I decided to not use items throughout my entire run just because so many people said the game was way too easy. And not only is it pretty hard this way, but I feel like there are parts of the game that are genuinely hard regardless.

I just fought one boss, was near the end of the battle with full health, then the boss did a new attack, and I didn’t know the timing to dodge. It stunned Mario (meaning I couldn’t block or dodge), and the boss attacked two more times, which took me to zero health from full. Then the exact same thing happened to Luigi, all somehow in the same turn.

So the boss effectively one-shotted both Mario and Luigi in one turn with a brand new move. Maybe I just got bad boss RNG or something, but I was shocked that two mistakes could immediately lead to a game over.

Did anyone else pick Luigi

Spoiler

as the captive?

Kind of sinister of the devs to hand out

Spoiler

two bros. moves afterwards.. I can’t use any of it.

The cutscene was funny though.

I picked peach, just because I thought her offering was hilarious. “Oh, I’m an old pro at this” or whatever lol.

I’m really enjoying the game a lot.

 

[Robb]

I’m really enjoying the game a lot.

Same, it’s really good. I’m baffled at some of the scores. This is waaay better than Paper Jam. And the performance being compared to something like Pokemon Scarlet/Violet is absolute insanity.

I had more performance issues in Echoes of Wisdom than I am having here, and I must be nearing the end.

I haven’t noticed much difference in difficulty compared to previous titles other than that platforming is easier due to Luigi having some actual AI. But that’s just a positive in my book.

Biggest complaint for me is still the loading between fights. It’s worse now when I’m exploring old areas and just want to run from some fight. It’s just 2-5s loading screen after 2-5s loading screen.. And enemies are so quick you can barely run away from any of them in the overworld.

 

[Dacvak]

Same, it’s really good. I’m baffled at some of the scores. This is waaay better than Paper Jam. And the performance being compared to something like Pokemon Scarlet/Violet is absolute insanity.

I had more performance issues in Echoes of Wisdom than I am having here, and I must be nearing the end.

I haven’t noticed much difference in difficulty compared to previous titles other than that platforming is easier due to Luigi having some actual AI. But that’s just a positive in my book.

Biggest complaint for me is still the loading between fights. It’s worse now when I’m exploring old areas and just want to run from some fight. It’s just 2-5s loading screen after 2-5s loading screen.. And enemies are so quick you can barely run away from any of them in the overworld.

Fully agree with all of this. The game is great, but it definitely would have benefited from being on the Switch 2. The frequent loading is really annoying, as is the bad frame pacing.

But big shoutouts to a lot of the QoL stuff, like Luigi’s AI (and the “Luigi Button”), being able to fast-forward all animations during regular dialog, and stuff like the ship’s fast mode. Details like that have kept me coming back.

There’s still too many battles for my taste, but I also famously hate RPGs lol. But overall most everything has been great, especially the soundtrack and the animation style. And it’s always fun to play a game that doesn’t take itself seriously at all. Hopefully we get a 60fps patch on the Switch 2.

 

[Impotaku]

So far cleared the second great lighthouse and I’m finding it fun. The battles are enjoyable and so is the story. Still failing to see where this supposed performance problem is I haven’t seen anything jarring at all, unless it’s at a certain island of the game I have yet to reach.

Easily as fun as any of the previous m&l adventures and I have played them all. The only thing I could think of that needs improvement is maybe shave a few seconds loadtime off battle transitions. They aren’t super long going into and leaving a battle but not as snappy as I’d like. Game does look pretty though, it’s nice to see the in game art finally match the box illustrations perfectly.