User reviews

Considering these days of the 50 plus hour role playing game, it was a nice change of pace to play this quirky game. Granted it wasn't exactly short topping 30 hours, but that is still a far cry from the games out today that take over 50 without doing all the side quests. However, it being a Mario game it is going to be more kid friendly and funny rather than dramatic and epic. The fighting is turned based, however you get to push buttons to strengthen your attacks. You have two people in your party, one always being Mario and the other one of the many funny characters Mario meets during his journey through a place called Rougeport. Princess Peach sent Mario a map said to have the location of a hidden treasure on it and she wants him to meet her in Rougeport. Well Mario can't refuse, but by the time he arrives, gasp, the princess has been kidnapped. Well this time Bowser is not responsible, though he does make many humorous appearances in the game...no this time it is a mysterious group called the X-nauts. So Mario must join forces with many in the town of Rougeport and surrounding lands to obtain the crystal stars. You have your basic levels and your not so basic as you have train mystery's to solve and you must fight your way to the top in an arena type setting. So the game gives you differing things to do so all in all it is rather fun.

As a player of Mario games since I was a teenager, I was soooo horribly disappointed by Super Mario Sunshine and was doubtful the Mario writers could ever pull off another great Mario game...Well they proved me wrong, thank God. My five year old and I LOVE this game-it's not too hard for him with my help and still engaging enough to keep me in front of it for hours. I have never played the original on N64 so I can't compare them, but this version is a great RPG with a decent storyline, combining elements and characters from all of the previous games. We bought the book with it, but I don't think it's entirely necessary for this one. Every die hard Mario should at least rent it and give it a try.

The story is Peach sends Mario a letter and a map saying to meet her in a town called Rouge Port. Mario goes and finds out she is gone. He thinks if he follows the map he will find her. The map shows the location of the seven crystal stars to open the-thousand-year-door which is said to have a massive treasure behind it. Some bad guys called the X-Neuts or something captured Peach and wanted the map. So you have to save Peach and collect the crystal stars. I recommend this game to Mario and RPG lovers. It also has a touch of comedy it won't leave you laughing but it has a few funny parts. It has colorful and clear graphics. I give this game a 9 out of 10.

Paper Mario 2: Thousand Year Door is another one of those Ninentdo sequels that was put on a higher console than the original. But, like most of the 'higher console' sequels, I can't review the original, simple because I have not played it in a long time, or have not played it at all. For this one...I have not played it at all.

Anyways, Paper Mario 2 is an awesome game. Why? Well, most importantly, it has very simplified game play. No need for Final Fantasy like stats, and advanced customization. No. This one keeps the numbers of the stats small and tidy. For example, you only have a set of stats to manage: Health, Badge Power and Flower Power. Your health is obviously what keeps you alive. Any video game fan would know that. Badge Power tells you how many badges to equip. These badges can help you in battle, and the more badge power you have, the more badges you can equip. Simple. Flower Power lets you use special attacks. The more Flower Power you have, the more special attacks you can use. Simple as that.

The game is presented in 2-D, where the characters are paper-thin and can do things such as slip sideways into cracks in the wall.

The levels are top-notch. You will be given puzzles and challenges of all sorts. You will also be finding keys, fighting enemies, and using your allies help to advance further.

There are plenty of boss fights too. Each one is slightly different than the next. The fights are heck of fun too.

However, it does seem to have a few flaws. The coins are pretty hard to get. Things are priced pretty highly, and it takes a lot of times to gather the necessary amount of money. I'm sure it has other flaws, but I can't put my finger on them. I think I was expecting something on the same lever as Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, and I was disappointed.

Well, it is a great game, just not as great as I'd like it to be.

8.5/10

Good: Simple game play, and level variation

Bad: I am kind of biased, because I was expecting something like Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. Plus, the money system isn't that great.