-----Intelligent Systems is one of the most important companies affiliated with Nintendo and it's history. Most people may not be aware of their many contributions to Nintendo's history. Most will know about their Fire Emblem and Advance War games, but what about their support on games like Metroid, Mario Bros., Wario Ware, or even Duck Hunt? There's also the multiple contributions they've made to Nintendo hardware as well. Intelligent System is as essential to the Nintendo cannon as any named staff member of the company you could think of. In the midst of their many credits sits the 2000 classic Paper Mario.
-----Some history first. The first Mario themed RPG can be credited to Square Soft with their SNES game Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Swords. Super Mario RPG has it's own legacy, and is highly regarded and sought after by those in the know. This is as true now as it was back then, as Super Mario RPG was a great success. So much so that a sequel was planned. However, Square would back out of that, instead setting their sights of the optical disc consoles of the future rather than deal with Nintendo's new cartridge based 64-bit console. The job for the follow-up to Super Mario RPG 2 would instead go to Nintendo's reliable long-time partners, already discussed in the first paragraph.
-----Thus Paper Mario, or "Mario Story" as it's called in some parts of the world, was developed and released as it's own standalone product rather than a straight follow-up to it's SNES predecessor. What resulted has become one of the most well regarded games in the Nintendo catalog. People still pine for this game and it's sequel to this day. So, what makes this game so alluring to those who've played it?
-----Let's start with charm, because Paper Mario has plenty of it. As the name suggests, Paper Mario takes on a more flat, cartoony aesthetic. It's world is purposefully jaggy, it's characters; animated sprites standing upright, animated to move around believably. The colors of Paper Mario are extremely vibrant. Meanwhile the dialogue, and especially the characters are always memorable. Whether it be an island of Yoshi's, a desert town with shady secrets, or a frozen murder mystery, the environments of Paper Mario are never boring. In fact, Paper Mario pulls a lot from the Mario lore that's been established up to this point to provide a wide range of creatures for NPCs and enemies.
---Speaking of enemies, the battle system of Paper Mario is something truly unique feeling. Battle scenes in RPGs can often feel derivative of the Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior roots of the genre, but not here. Paper Mario does have a strong foothold in RPG staples. Long time players of the genre won't be lost here. However, Paper Mario does bring delightful twists too. For example the action commands brought over from Super Mario RPG offer great real time action type gameplay. There's also the satisfying badge system that can add abilities and buffs to each battle. It's often surprising how much depth is brought out of the only two attacks Mario himself can do: jumping and hammering. Of course I can't forget to mention your allies, which can bring their own unique abilities into the fold.
-----These allies have their uses even outside of battle. Each one has a special ability that can be used in Paper Mario's various fields to do things like provide alternate routes, puzzle solutions, or helpful information. Mario can also provide his own field abilities with those aforementioned jump and hammer actions. There's even a spin move that adds speed into the movement mix. Speaking of movement, Paper Mario doesn't quite offer the same robust platforming mechanics of it's parent franchise, but the Mushroom Kingdom you explore is often designed with some great 3D layouts. The scenes flow up and down. Each feels as important and thought out as the last.
-----In terms of story, Paper Mario's high concept is very familiar. Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach and her castle using the power of the Star Rod, and item stolen from Star Haven; the home of the wish-granting Star Spirits. Mario is easily overwhelmed at the start of the game, and is ejected out Peach Castle, which sits in the sky for the majority of the narrative. Mario regains consciousness back in the Mushroom Kingdom, and must traverse it's varied lands to free the trapped Star Spirits from the clutches of Bower's most power minions. While I've heard criticism of this story for not breaking new ground, I can't help but ask if it needs to, or if it even matters. There's so many turns and events in the meat of Paper Mario that I can't but fall in love with each story beat.
-----Overall Paper Mario is one of the favorite RPGs. In fact I think it's one of the most well made RPGs you could play. It's mechanics are unique and engaging, it's look is colorful and vibrant, and it's story is so lovable it's insane. While Paper Mario is often eclipsed by it's successor, I will always have a special place in my heart for this childhood classic. It's a game I always think about, and a concept I hope sees the light of the day again at some point in the future. - [VOID: Nostalgic Bias]
-----Some history first. The first Mario themed RPG can be credited to Square Soft with their SNES game Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Swords. Super Mario RPG has it's own legacy, and is highly regarded and sought after by those in the know. This is as true now as it was back then, as Super Mario RPG was a great success. So much so that a sequel was planned. However, Square would back out of that, instead setting their sights of the optical disc consoles of the future rather than deal with Nintendo's new cartridge based 64-bit console. The job for the follow-up to Super Mario RPG 2 would instead go to Nintendo's reliable long-time partners, already discussed in the first paragraph.
-----Thus Paper Mario, or "Mario Story" as it's called in some parts of the world, was developed and released as it's own standalone product rather than a straight follow-up to it's SNES predecessor. What resulted has become one of the most well regarded games in the Nintendo catalog. People still pine for this game and it's sequel to this day. So, what makes this game so alluring to those who've played it?
-----Let's start with charm, because Paper Mario has plenty of it. As the name suggests, Paper Mario takes on a more flat, cartoony aesthetic. It's world is purposefully jaggy, it's characters; animated sprites standing upright, animated to move around believably. The colors of Paper Mario are extremely vibrant. Meanwhile the dialogue, and especially the characters are always memorable. Whether it be an island of Yoshi's, a desert town with shady secrets, or a frozen murder mystery, the environments of Paper Mario are never boring. In fact, Paper Mario pulls a lot from the Mario lore that's been established up to this point to provide a wide range of creatures for NPCs and enemies.
---Speaking of enemies, the battle system of Paper Mario is something truly unique feeling. Battle scenes in RPGs can often feel derivative of the Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior roots of the genre, but not here. Paper Mario does have a strong foothold in RPG staples. Long time players of the genre won't be lost here. However, Paper Mario does bring delightful twists too. For example the action commands brought over from Super Mario RPG offer great real time action type gameplay. There's also the satisfying badge system that can add abilities and buffs to each battle. It's often surprising how much depth is brought out of the only two attacks Mario himself can do: jumping and hammering. Of course I can't forget to mention your allies, which can bring their own unique abilities into the fold.
-----These allies have their uses even outside of battle. Each one has a special ability that can be used in Paper Mario's various fields to do things like provide alternate routes, puzzle solutions, or helpful information. Mario can also provide his own field abilities with those aforementioned jump and hammer actions. There's even a spin move that adds speed into the movement mix. Speaking of movement, Paper Mario doesn't quite offer the same robust platforming mechanics of it's parent franchise, but the Mushroom Kingdom you explore is often designed with some great 3D layouts. The scenes flow up and down. Each feels as important and thought out as the last.
-----In terms of story, Paper Mario's high concept is very familiar. Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach and her castle using the power of the Star Rod, and item stolen from Star Haven; the home of the wish-granting Star Spirits. Mario is easily overwhelmed at the start of the game, and is ejected out Peach Castle, which sits in the sky for the majority of the narrative. Mario regains consciousness back in the Mushroom Kingdom, and must traverse it's varied lands to free the trapped Star Spirits from the clutches of Bower's most power minions. While I've heard criticism of this story for not breaking new ground, I can't help but ask if it needs to, or if it even matters. There's so many turns and events in the meat of Paper Mario that I can't but fall in love with each story beat.
-----Overall Paper Mario is one of the favorite RPGs. In fact I think it's one of the most well made RPGs you could play. It's mechanics are unique and engaging, it's look is colorful and vibrant, and it's story is so lovable it's insane. While Paper Mario is often eclipsed by it's successor, I will always have a special place in my heart for this childhood classic. It's a game I always think about, and a concept I hope sees the light of the day again at some point in the future. - [VOID: Nostalgic Bias]