Super Mario Galaxy Review (Wii)
One thing that really became evident while playing this game (for me anyway) is the lack of perspective. I think this is a huge drawback for the Jumping puzzle genre.
I think that this guy’s idea will save 3D jumping games. In essence it’s a great way to simulate perspective.
Check it out:
Head Tracking for Desktop VR Displays using the WiiRemote
Here is a talk he gave in Feb 2008 on modifying the Wiimote.
My Impressions
“The next generation of Mario Gaming” seemed to be the prevailing attitude surrounding the release of Mario Galaxies. The idea stemmed most likely from the very capable Nintendo PR machine, but the press and fans seemed eager to jump on the bandwagon.
I was one of the people that lamented the addition of another dimension in my side scrolling jumping game, when Super Mario 64 came out. In vain, I wished for this 3D thing to be just a passing phase.
It wasn’t. This became glaringly obvious with Galaxies, where the 3D aspect is taken to the extreme. Each little galaxy is made up of a bunch of different little planets; they are round, square, hollow, peanut shaped, some you run around on the inside, some you can circumnavigate in less then ten seconds, some are completely made of water or ice or sand. The variety is quite sensational as are the different play experiences these variations offer.
The thing about 3D in games is that it’s almost impossible to create depth – rending the jumping puzzles that much more difficult. Now throw in strange physics and uneven surfaces and you really have a challenge on your hands.
Regardless of all that, the game is clearly worthy of its Mario title. And while I do grumble about this not being my favorite Mario title of all time, as I struggle with the controls, I still come back and play, over and over again.
Review
Release date: Nov 12 2007
Website: http://www.nintendo.com/sites/supermariogalaxy/
Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
Platform I played on: Wii
Game Summery
Mario must collect enough star power to activate the space station. Once activated it will take him to the center of the universe where Princess Peach is being held. Mario to the rescue!
Game play
Run, jump, spin, smash – its traditional Mario havoc being wreaked on these unsuspecting new galaxies all in the name of saving Princess Peach.
Mario must overcome myriad difficulties as the different galaxies and planets pose exciting new challenges, where the normal rules of Mario physics don’t always apply. Sometimes gravity does strange things, especially when the planets are small enough to circumnavigate. Also Mario gets to turn into quite a few interesting new forms, like Bee Mario and Boo Mario.
Some exciting new mechanics include mini blue stars, that when activated pull Mario to them. This allows Mario to fly through space using blue stars gravity. But beware the black holes – if you fall into one of those its time to start over.
World and Story
Fundamentally this is a very traditional Mario game. Princess Peach is kidnapped and Mario must rescue her. She has been whisked off to the center of the universe and the only way that Mario will find his way there is with the help of a broken down space station. His first task becomes helping power up the space station and getting it running again.
The comet observatory (or space station) acts as the hub from which Mario has access to five different Galaxy clusters. Each cluster has five differently themed galaxies available. Visit them all, sometimes repeatedly, to collect space ship power-ups, aka gold stars. =)
Sound familiar? Well it is. The basic configuration is reminiscent of most Mario adventure games. Veteran gamers will feel right at home with this story and world structure.
Graphics
The graphics and animations are completely seamless. Of course the cartoony nature of the style creates a lot of forgiveness when assessing physical accuracy of animations. It looks and feels great!
Replay ability
While there are a finite amount of galaxies, the game does encourage revisiting levels by providing different routes and different challenges.
In most cases the different routes take you on different paths in that cluster rending the need to replay finished sections almost insignificant.
Multiplayer
There is the option to play the game with a second person. Although it’s not traditional cooperative play since there is no second character. The first player controls Mario and the second uses to the Wiimote curser to interact with the environment by picking up stars and freezing monsters.
Game finished
I am currently stuck in the fourth Galaxy cluster. As has happened before, after a short break I am able to push through the hurdle and continue.
Galaxies has so much to offer, I am sure it will take me quite a bit longer to find some closure.
Things that bothered me
-The Camera is quite irritating.
Let me start by saying that the camera must have been the most challenging aspect of the game to create, maybe tied with collision.
The controls are tied to the camera, which means that the directions that lead Mario around change when the camera moves. The directions are in relation to the camera not to Mario himself.
Yet remember this is a super extreme 3D game, the camera must go where Mario goes. Meaning the camera moves a lot since Mario gets to run all around planets, inside planets, and in strange nooks and crannies.
Sometimes the camera moves in mid jump. Suddenly the direction you are pushing on the controller is the wrong direction and thus Mario jumps to his doom.
It gets rather frustrating sometimes.
-Second player is almost more of a hindrance.
At our house we all felt that the second player mechanic was underdeveloped. Basically they help collect stars and freeze some monsters. This is accomplished by repeatedly clicking on said monster. What often happens is that the second player will accidentally click on Mario causing him to spaz. In essence it becomes more of an interference then help.
It also would have been nice to have a little more meaning to what the second player was doing. Possibly allowing for some sort of power up purchasing that only the second player can access. Anything to make the second player feel a little bit more useful.
Time played
I’m estimating around thirty hours of game play. There has been quite some reloading, sometimes I have to attempt the same level five or more times before I succeed. Usually after then I give up and take a break.
Mood Progression
Last Thoughts
Who put more 3D in my side scrolling game!?!?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:47 am
I’ve really enjoyed the game. Alyson and I were going back and forth for a while competing as to who could get the most stars. Despite the fact that you don’t HAVE to get all of the stars to move the plot forward, we’ve been pretty hard core about keeping up with them. I think the competition was part of what was keeping the whole thing interesting for me.
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:20 am
My god you are IN MY HEAD. I agree with everything here including “I’m still stuck at the 4th galaxy.” I wanted very badly to love this game to death but in the end I enjoyed lusting from across the playground much more than our actual relationship.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:17 am
i think the 3D Mario games have been missing a certain joie de vivre, a small part of the essence that makes them Mario Jumping games.
And Yes Bri, I AM in your head!! Muahaahahahahahaha1! =D
October 13th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
A Note on the re-playability: Finished the game today.. at least the first part of it. Apparently there is a whole set of additional worlds and goals to go back to. It happens a lot in games (God of War) but it has me hooked for at least a few more hours.
October 13th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
That’s good to know!
Although really I’m not that surprised since completing the game doesn’t require the completion of all the levels.
I would be really interested to know how long it would take to finish all available levels. It seems like the game is huge in comparison to some other games that have come out recently.