As the end of the year approaches, Nintendo offers us its latest game and not the least. Coming from the universe of its famous plumber, Super Mario RPG is a remake of the eponymous title released almost 30 years ago. A very good idea given the success that the title had at the time, but also the success of the recent remakes of the firm. Except that Super Mario RPG comes out in a context that can be a double-edged sword.
Since the beginning of the year, it is the entire Super Mario license that has been in the spotlight thanks to the animated film that broke all records, but also thanks to Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the latest installment of the franchise that literally revolutionized the genre. This one is even in the running to win the title of GOTY at the Game Awards. After all that, does Super Mario RPG succeed in establishing itself with the right audience? The answer in this test.
Check the price of Super Mario RPG
So far, so good
Nothing is going well in the Mushroom Kingdom. Princess Peach has just been kidnapped (yet another time) by the terrible Bowser. While Mario tries to save her, he is thrown out of the castle by a giant sword named Exor, which destroys the path leading to the damsel in distress. Then begins a familiar quest in which Mario throws himself headlong. To find his girlfriend, he will need help, which he will ask from the Toads, but will also find in unexpected allies.
The characters evolve in a world divided into levels that each have their share of challenges. Far from being as linear as any Super Mario game, the title takes its role as an RPG very seriously, and this from the first minutes. There are many differences to note, such as the absence of dialogue (except written), turn-based combat, and the fairly free exploration of the world. The player is not taken by the hand, which is a good thing.
Exploration is fairly free, no quests are assigned, and sometimes you have to be patient before understanding what the title expects of you. For once, a Mario game doesn't infantilize you, and you don't deny yourself the pleasure. In addition, the truly unique mechanics of Super Mario RPG reinforce its charm in the long term.
Everyone has their turn!
Strategy and reflection are essential in the game, which focuses on turn-based combat. Two difficulty levels are possible, although even the easy one isn't that accessible. The entire dynamic of the clashes is actually based on a question of timing, which is crucial to avoid losing face. When you block an attack or provoke one, you have to manage to create coordinated actions to do even more damage or activate your protective shield.
Be careful, a moment of inattention and the blows can easily be fatal to you. You also have to juggle special moves, which require a particular and exhaustible resource, and objects that affect your team or only one of the characters. It's always more fun with several people, and Mario's companions are extremely useful throughout the adventure. Their abilities make up for the plumber's shortcomings and can adapt to the weaknesses of each of the opponents.
Finally, we love the way he interacts with enemies, especially during the start of combat, which can sometimes be difficult to avoid. Nothing is ever too serious in Super Mario RPG, which has a certain humorous and rather mature side. From gestures to dialogue, everything is mastered by Nintendo, which once again knows how to play with its universe to give it a modern feel. The French location, also a new feature, is very pleasant and will surely please Anglophobes.
Nothing new under the coconut trees
To sum up, Super Mario RPG is an excellent game for those who like strategy, but there is a catch. Almost everything that makes the game a success today was already present in the original title. It is certainly a remake, but very few changes are at work, in terms of story, environment or gameplay. Nintendo focuses more on graphics and visual modernity, values specific to our time that we must follow for any production of the genre, but does not add anything significant to differentiate the two opuses which now bear the same name.
We would not have said no to new characters or even designs that are out of the ordinary, especially after the thunderous success of Super Mario Bros. Wonder which brings it a lot of new features. The music also remains in the same vein. In a way it is so much the better, the score is catchy, sometimes epic and above all joyful. Despite everything, a bit of renewal could have allowed Super Mario RPG to really make an impression in an innovative way compared to the first title.
A few flaws also remain, evidence of another era of video games. For example, we note the presence of a certain number of invisible walls, a technique that has not been used for years in games to delimit the playable space. It's a shame that they didn't add some cosmetic elements to hide them, after all the work already done on the 3D environment and animations.
Nothing that completely ruins the experience either, although for a remake Nintendo should have aimed for higher standards. The level of investment in the rest of the franchise's works for some time now puts Super Mario RPG in a regrettable shadow, which does not prevent players from enjoying an entertaining and funny game as we like them.
0 Comments