paper mario the thousand-year door review
Paper Mario: The Millennium GateSince Mario Sunshine, the plumber dear to Nintendo has taken a vacation. However, between two rounds of golf, a go-kart race and while waiting to get into tennis, the guy remembered that he was a genre where he excelled particularly, even if he rarely did it: RPG.
Remember, it was in 1996 and Squaresoft released on Super Nintendo a title called Super Mario RPG, the very first role-playing game based in the world of plumber. Unknown to most players because it has never been released in Europe, this title nonetheless served as a starting point for Paper Mario, the second RPG dedicated to the plumber, but this time on Nintendo 64 and also available on the old continent. A title that was strong to integrate several features, most of which have been included in this suite exclusive to GameCube support. And to finish with this little overview of Mario RPGs, we will certainly not forget the release of Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga on GBA, an episode just as crazy as the one discussed on this page.
But perhaps you have never had the chance to try your hand at one of the aforementioned titles. In which case it is certainly useful to explain quickly what constitutes a RPG with Nintendo sauce. Apart from the fact that the adventure is bathed in an atmosphere characteristic of the plumber's universe, which implies the presence of preposterous individuals from the different opus of the series, the game does have its share of turn-based combat. But like a game like Grandia or Tales of Symphonia, the encounters are not really random since the enemies are visible on the ground and it is possible to try to avoid them. On the other hand, Mario being able to jump and hammer not only in combat but also in play environments, one can quite choose to provoke a fight by striking the enemy to benefit from the initiative. Conversely, if it is Mario who gets caught, it is the enemies who will attack first.
All of this adds an action / platform side that sets Paper Mario 2 apart from most other RPGs. Thus, even if the decorations scroll screen by screen, with in each of them the presence of a scrolling, the depth of the plan allows to add some passages mixing address and reflection. A notion which also intervenes during the confrontations since they are not limited to assigning orders of action to its different characters. On the contrary, each given action results in precise manipulation to be executed, more or less delicate depending on its cost. In addition to adding a real suspicion of interactivity in the fights, the idea allows to bring in a random element, since each action is found either optimized or reduced depending on the success of the maneuver.
I would hardly have the place to dwell here on the script of the title nor on its many subtleties, but I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that you will find all of this in the file that was devoted to it a few months ago. The story is linked to a mysterious treasure map that reveals the location of seven star gems that open the Millennium Gate. Of course, Mario must find a way to get his hands on it before his enemies to avoid another disaster. Divided into chapters, the game also offers us the possibility of controlling Princess Peach and the nasty Bowser during certain very delirious sequences and full of winks at the different parts of the plumber saga. The atmosphere is completely crazy and it works all the better as the particular aesthetics of the game reinforces the impression of dealing with a title that never takes itself seriously.
I know you are already dying to get this game but wait a few seconds, time for me to remind you of some of the components of the gameplay. With its realization in cardboard, the software exploits the particular nature of Mario by granting it several transformations in the form of paper folds. Not content with metamorphosing into an airplane or even a boat, the plumber can also put himself in profile to pass through bars, or put himself in a ball to roll in narrow openings. Some textures placed on the decorations can be lifted off with a simple breath of air, and the houses unfold when you enter the interior. Each character who comes to lend a hand to Mario will thus have a particular ability allowing him to solve different puzzles based on this type of interactions.
In addition, the fact that the fights take place on a stage of spectacle brings a theatrical side quite simply brilliant, which adds an unforeseeable datum in their unfolding. The public reacts according to the performance of the player, and sometimes it is necessary to intervene quickly to prevent a spectator from launching dangerous projectiles at us. It happens that a Maskass slips behind the scenes to play a bad trick on us, or that the decor suddenly collapses on the actors causing them damage. All of this encourages you to keep a close eye on what is going on all around you, knowing that good timing can dodge most attacks and even send them back to the sender. But if I refer here to counterattacks, we must not forget that the game also includes a large number of special attacks specific to each character, and some relating to badges that can be fitted on the members of his group. In addition to that, you have to take into account the configuration of the enemies and their appearance to find the most suitable attack, avoiding for example to stupidly jump on the tip of a sharp helmet.
Believe it or not, we are far from having gone through all the subtleties of this Paper Mario 2, and I can not but commit you too much to try the experience for yourself to discover all that this software you reserve in terms of atmosphere and game fun. Far from being particularly short to complete, the game also has its share of side quests and carefully hidden items. Accessible to everyone, the adventure is not as easy as you might think, and the final boss may well give you a hard time. As you can see, Paper Mario 2 is a breath of fresh air on GameCube. At the same time tinged with RPG, action and platform, this title releases an aura of delirium which can only seduce you, whoever you are. This is an inventive, daring and incredibly entertaining game for all players.
The notes
Graphics 17/20
We can expect everything with Nintendo, we can not help being amazed by the originality of the design of Paper Mario 2. The realization in cardboard paste perfectly fits the wacky and theatrical atmosphere of the adventure , the winks to the episodes of Mario are legion and the characters are purely irresistible.
Gameplay 18/20
The concept of RPG works perfectly, with more interaction in combat. The platform aspect is therefore not totally absent and the game system is a real treat.
Lifespan 16/20
Do not think that the adventure ends quickly or easily. Without reaching the lifespan of an RPG such as Tales of Symphonia or Skies of Arcadia, Paper Mario 2 will keep you going for more than twenty hours, or even more if you plan to do all the side quests.
Soundtrack 16/20
You can imagine that the game is bathed in a delirious atmosphere where the music strongly contributes to the ambient delirium. Mario's voices are indescribable but devilishly effective!
Scenario 16/20
The search for the seven gems is a pretext for you to discover worlds as diverse as they are incredible. We are not disappointed with the trip, especially since the adventure even offers the possibility of controlling Peach and Bowser in very special stages of the game.
Taking up most of the ideas of the N64 episode, Paper Mario: The Millennium Gate can only make us regret that Nintendo does not release more titles in the style of Super Mario RPG. The game system works wonderfully and the aesthetic adopted is a delight for the eyes. Add to that a wacky atmosphere and you get an essential title for any GameCube owner.
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