It's a really nice feeling game, but unfortunately I don't think the polish and craftsmanship that went into it's controls went into the rest of the game. Structurally it's very messy, the majority of shines are either fodder or just tedious, there are 120 shines but I genuinely feel like only 40 or so of them are worthwhile, which is unacceptable considering that there are only about 96 unique shines.

Some of the levels feel like they've been meticulously crafted to be as unfun to traverse as possible, having roadblocks nearly everywhere to slow movement as much as they can, I think a good example would be noki bay, the majority of the level is vertical and requires slowly, painstakingly hovering upwards step by step, all the while floored by water that is really annoying to swim through. The majority of Sirena Beach's shrines are collected in this claustrophobic nightmare of a hotel that leaves you legitimately no room to do anything. I don't think 3D Mario has ever been particularly strong at level design, bar Galaxy - but good god is it bad here.

And there are moments, small, but glimmering moments where the game can be fun. Admittedly I'm pretty fond of the secret stages, though you do lose FLUDD it cuts back on all of the main levels' bullshit and just focuses and pure platforming fun. I do like a decent portion of the shines, even if they make up a fraction of the total amount, but overall it just fails to be coherent in any way with it's design on so many levels that I began to wonder, near the end of my complete playthrough why I even bothered. And don't even get me started on the blue coins lmfao

going into this game, i thought "nah it can't be that bad, right?" and at first, i thought i was right. the game is visually nice, the soundtrack is good, and it's polished. i was so young, so naive

sticker star is one of the worst games i've ever played and for so many more reasons than what i had expected them to be. people talk about how derivative and boring this game is, but they dont really talk about how the game is designed. some truly baffling design decisions went into this game. the two cacti mission, the wiggler segments goose chase that goes on for WAY too long, the final boss (dear god), and tons more. the enigmasion is a highlight in this sea of utter filth and contempt, it actually felt like a video game for once in its pitiful, meaningless existence. unfortunately, it doesn't take long for the swill to return, and we are back into contempt land. i used a guide for probably half of this game and it's absolutely necessary. the amount of ass-pullery this game does is insane. frustrating is the only word that could really and truly describe what we have here

i love mario, and i can defend a lot of mario stuff. i can defend the 1993 live action movie AND the animated movie from 2023. i can defend hotel mario. this? this is shit.

Maybe half a star is too harsh considering the undeniable production values, but this was such a massive step down from the previous three Paper Marios. It's bland, generic, safe, predictable, all words I had previously never associated with the series.

And maybe I could stomach the watered-down story and level themes if the gameplay was good. After all, Paper Mario 64 is a relatively straightforward Mario vs. Bowser story. But Sticker Star's gameplay is just not very fun, and the world is nowhere near as charming as 64's. Combat is shallow and easy despite consumable attacks on paper being an interesting idea, bosses all require specific "things" to beat, there's only nameless toads to talk to, Bowser has next to no personality when he used to be the star of the show in the previous games (and in Bowser's Inside Story), the list goes on and on. Forgettable, yet unforgettably disappointing.

at first its goofy janky fun. like, haha, the game just kind of abruptly starts by dropping you in a hole! the walk cycle's only two frames! the jump is weird and clunky! minecraft ass dashing! the worst walljump ive ever seen in a game! and that powers you through like the first couple hours of wandering around and fighting shit

then it dawns on you that oh, this is what im stuck with. a dogshit designed castle with annoying enemies and some of the most unsatisfying bosses ever. at that point you either power it out cuz you heard the dracula finale is good or you decide its not worth playing more of it and stop altogether