Super Mario Galaxy 2!

[MinisterofDOOM]

I've been playing this for a few hours now. It's fantastic. I'm on world 2 (not level 2, obviously) and every single level save one has been excellent.

Yoshi works really well, which is something I was kind of worried about. As in Mario 4, he eats anything that moves (and plenty that doesn't) making your life much easier. He doesn't feel tacked-on at all...he's very much a core aspect of the gameplay and feels very well integrated.

The new World Map is a huge improvement over the "where was I supposed to go again?" sprawling hub from SMG1. SMG2's world map basically takes the same form as those from 2D mario games (specifically NSMB DS). You still have a hub world, but you travel with it along the world map path, which still expands as you gain more Power Stars.

Gameplay's a lot like SMG1...but it's clear that the developers didn't come anywhere close to exhausting their supply of ideas in the first title, because the content in SMG2 feels fresh and definitely not rehashed.

I think Nintendo realized no one cared about the story or other interruptions in SMG1, too, because what little backstory there is makes light of itself and otherwise stays out of the way. There's a thin excuse for Mario to be exploring the galaxy alongside the Lumas again, and other things like the return of the Toad Squad don't even really bother with explanations. They're here again, now go stomp some Goombas. As it should be.

[Captain Slow]

I still haven't even played SMG1. I bought it and opened it, but have never had the time to play it/played my NES/ did something else.

[HashiriyaS14]

I just bought this yesterday and it's PHENOMENAL.

I do miss the larger hub world though, even SMG1 was too small IMO, I preferred a much larger one like SM64 or Sunshine. The gameplay in SMG2 is the best Mario gameplay I've ever seen, however.


I wish there was a little more relaxed exploration, the first few worlds are so linear they almost feel like Sonic Adventure 2 or something, but way way better engineered.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I wish there was a little more relaxed exploration, the first few worlds are so linear they almost feel like Sonic Adventure 2 or something, but way way better engineered.

Agreed. And I'll add a little to that:
I wish the progress along the overworld map wasn't so controlled. I'm not a fan of the "star gates" (for lack of a better term) that require x stars to open, which in turn requires revisiting old worlds for unobtained stars. I'd prefer to do my "backtracking" at my own pace. I really liked the setup of New Super Mario Bros. for the DS, which encouraged you to get to the end and THEN go back to re-explore old worlds. Part of the reason going back to re-do old levels bothers me is that most of the time, if I haven't done a mission, it's because I don't like it. The stupid monkey and his challenge levels are not fun. I don't want to complete them. And the downhill race levels aren't particularly fun, either...I didn't care for them in Mario 64 and I don't care for them now. Even aside from all the minigames-in-disguise (I'm looking at you, prankster comets!), some of the "feed the luma" bits are just tedious.

Let me complete the game at my own pace. Quit adding restrictions where they aren't necessary. I fail to see a single benefit to the star gates.

As for the linearity, supposedly the team behind NSMB: Wii was brought on for some of the level design (including the sidescrolling-ish levels), so I suspect they are responsible for some of that.

[HashiriyaS14]

I'm getting close to the end of World 2 and I just can't get enough. Half of me wants to quit my job so I can go home and play Mario.

[mattblancarte]

My roomie has a game going and he's on World 5. I've clocked maybe 3-4 hours.

All in all, it's the same experience as SMG1. I have no clue how this was rated a 10.0 on IGN when they gave Mass Effect 2 and Red Dead Redemption 9.x .

SMG2 is a fun game, though. Can't go wrong with Mario platformers.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I have no clue how this was rated a 10.0 on IGN when they gave Mass Effect 2 and Red Dead Redemption 9.x .

I would assume they gave it a higher score because they liked it more...that's usually how it works.

Sarcasm aside, SMG2 demonstrates a degree of whole-package polish that is very rarely seen in ANY game. Sure, it might not be a modern extravaganza of the latest fads in action gaming, but that doesn't mean it isn't an exceptional game. There's very little about the game that doesn't shine with the glow of ultra-perfection. ME2 can't claim that, thought it is excellent. RDR can't. SMG2 can.

Review scores are stupid anyway. And most reviews as a whole are stupid anyway. No game should EVER get a 10/10. Every game has flaws.
But when I have to ask myself which game I had more fun with between ME2 and SMG2, there's no contest. SMG2 is a well-assembled fun-machine. It does what it does well. Whether or not what it does is your particular thing has no real bearing on that fact.

[mattblancarte]

Haha well if you read some of the news I do, you'd argue that it really isn't just who the game reviewer likes. It's about ad dollars and industry connection. If you watch the IGN vid review, they just gush on and on about things that really aren't revolutionary or that cool (IMHO, of course).

SMG2 is a nice, polished experience for sure. I think you've inferred that I don't think it's an exceptional release or one of the better games on the Wii. I think it's a great game, and said you can't go wrong with Mario platformers in my previous post. I'd still give Mario an A+ or a 9.x.

I was just pointing out a skewed ratings system, to which you have agreed that 10.0 is a fail rating.

Anyways, that's interesting that you had more fun with Mario. RDR and ME2 rank much higher up my list than SMG2. I'm a sucker for shooters with great stories (with great voice acting) and mechanics.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I was just pointing out a skewed ratings system, to which you have agreed that 10.0 is a fail rating.

Definitely on the same page, then. I agree ratings are misused, and related to who knows who. Ratings are openly manipulated as marketing tools these days (especially with the marketing focus on metacritic scores). It's pretty disgusting.

I really, really liked ME2. I just like SMG2 even more.