Reviews from

in the past


Worst fucking multiplayer experience ever. This game just fucking sucks for multiplayer, the camera fucking jerks everywhere cause it can't decide who to focus on. *I* can't fucking tell who is who most of the time and lose track of myself and just die. Compound the previous statement with the perspective of the camera in this game fucking sucks and I just start constantly dying. Fucking hate this shit, 2D mario clears.

When 'comfort food' turns into 'fast food': quickly consumed, quickly forgotten. When you've put in the effort to play through Mario's 3D series from the beginning, one can't help but feel disappointed, especially when considering Super Mario 3D World as a follow-up to Super Mario Galaxy: the game feels quite conventional both in its physics, its movement possibilities, and its level design.

I'd almost venture to say it's more of a Mario 2.5D, given how the camera remains predominantly fixed (sometimes offering a choice of 3 viewing angles, and that's it). I can't quite find the words, but it feels like a detachment from the character, creating less immersion.

It also seems like the first game where Nintendo is recycling ideas rather than introducing new ones. Aside from the multiplayer mode (which I haven't tried) and the integration of the Wiiverse (RIP), the game revisits worlds and themes that are overly familiar. It appears to rely on gimmicks rather than innovative ideas. The cat suit is a prime example: it's amusing, it looks nice on the game cover, but in reality, it detracts from the gameplay because it's too overpowered. You end up wanting to have it all the time, which is a shame for other power-ups.

Regarding bosses, even though I know it's not Mario's strong suit, the simplification here seems somewhat absurd. In fact, it feels like the game almost abandons the concept of bosses altogether, turning the Bowser cat phase (final boss) into essentially a platforming segment. They didn't even try.

Now, it's evident that this game has clear strengths, particularly in its accessibility (it could be the ideal first Mario game), its vibrant graphics, and its music. It's from the perspective of considering Super Mario 3D World as a sequel to Mario Galaxy (Super Mario Gravity, I'm counting on you) that I was disappointed.

I don't think a game's camera placement has infuriated me as much as this game. This is a 3D platformer. A fixed isometric camera does not work. I can't count the number of times I have died because its impossible to know where Mario is landing. How did anyone think this is a good idea? The fixed camera is so uncomfortable. It genuinely ruins the levels for me, which are actually really well designed. I don't have the patience to unlock the secret worlds in this game specifically cause the camera makes me want to pull my hair. Also the Cat Suit is not fun to use in my opinion, I much prefer the Tanooki or Fire Flower power up. This game is heavily carried by its level design, I was unsure whether to give it a 2.5 or 3 because of the stupid camera placement, but the levels (and music) saved this game.