GamerFan
This review contains spoilers
This game is exactly what I heard it out to be. Basically a standalone dlc to the first game. It's practically the same game with a different story and slightly altered combat thanks to Miles' new venom abilities and invisibility.
I will say, the new venom powers were really fun. I liked how u have four different commands for the venom powers and it especially becomes really satisfying around half way through the game where u can chain these attacks 3 times in a row. Launching my opponents around me straight into the air, then immediately smashing the ground causing a shock wave around me, flowed by a venom dash was the kind of satisfactory that wasn't present in the first game. It made the combat flow even better than the first game although it does come at a price. Because of these new abilities, the game is also even easier than the first game.
The main story was for the most part pretty cookie cutter. Phin (his best friend) being the main villain kinda made me role my eyes at first (seriously this trope happens way too often in Spiderman), but I think they do a good job at making her an understanding/sympathetic villian and building up their friendship so that way her sacrifice at the end hit harder.
Miles as a character I thought was done well. It especially hits around halfway through the main story where he does something Peter Parker specifically tells him not to do, but he does it anyways because it was something he needed to do. While he still respects Peter as a mentor, him finding out how to solve problems his own way is what Miles needed and makes him less of just being black Peter Park, but rather his own character.
While the story was just alright, what was more intriguing were the side story of what happened between his Uncle Aaron and his dad. And the post game scavenger hunt Mile's dad made for him was really heartwarming and had me smiling all the way through.
TL;DR: Overall as much fun as I had with it, the game kinda feels like an inferior version to the first game with better combat. Enemy varitaty is very lacking, bosses are vastly inferior compared to the first game, and story was pretty alright. But that didn't stop me from 100%ing it, so it clearly did something right in my eyes.
I will say, the new venom powers were really fun. I liked how u have four different commands for the venom powers and it especially becomes really satisfying around half way through the game where u can chain these attacks 3 times in a row. Launching my opponents around me straight into the air, then immediately smashing the ground causing a shock wave around me, flowed by a venom dash was the kind of satisfactory that wasn't present in the first game. It made the combat flow even better than the first game although it does come at a price. Because of these new abilities, the game is also even easier than the first game.
The main story was for the most part pretty cookie cutter. Phin (his best friend) being the main villain kinda made me role my eyes at first (seriously this trope happens way too often in Spiderman), but I think they do a good job at making her an understanding/sympathetic villian and building up their friendship so that way her sacrifice at the end hit harder.
Miles as a character I thought was done well. It especially hits around halfway through the main story where he does something Peter Parker specifically tells him not to do, but he does it anyways because it was something he needed to do. While he still respects Peter as a mentor, him finding out how to solve problems his own way is what Miles needed and makes him less of just being black Peter Park, but rather his own character.
While the story was just alright, what was more intriguing were the side story of what happened between his Uncle Aaron and his dad. And the post game scavenger hunt Mile's dad made for him was really heartwarming and had me smiling all the way through.
TL;DR: Overall as much fun as I had with it, the game kinda feels like an inferior version to the first game with better combat. Enemy varitaty is very lacking, bosses are vastly inferior compared to the first game, and story was pretty alright. But that didn't stop me from 100%ing it, so it clearly did something right in my eyes.
The fact that Square Enix took on the mantle of creating a Mario game in itself is hard to believe! I can absolutely see why this game was cherished at the time. An RPG taking place in the Super Mario world where u get to play as Bowser, the story being something other than saving Peach, a combat system that's not only strategic, but also having to time your commands and the overworld incorporating platforming mechanics was probably really ambitious... at the time. The game's feel and controls have absolutely held up by today's standards everything else kind had me going, "I've seen this elsewhere before." Its got very cute/unique character designs, comedic writing, incredible ost (some of Shimomora's best work) and an engaging combat system, but it doesn't have much to offer beyond that. Its still a good game, but it's not the "one of a kind" game that it probably was during the 90s. Also the story is surprisingly lackluster considering this was made by the devs who were known for being the king of storytelling in gaming at the time. Overall, I still had a good time w/ it and it's a really good intry point for those who've never/barley have any experience in turn-based RPGs. Same goes for those who are just now getting into the Mario RPG games. I'll always appreciate this game for inspiring the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series and u can definitely feel this game's influence on those series, but I can't help but feel most Mario RPGs ever since have outdone this game.