I never had any issues with the controls in either game. They work fine. Mario moves exactly the way I tell him to, when I tell him to. The only exception to that is the springsuit, and even that becomes manageable with enough practice.
Aside from that, I agree that the original SMG was better overall, especially for its ending (once you unlock all 121 stars). But I wouldn't call the sequel an expansion pack simply because it didn't try to reinvent the series the way the first one did.
Miyamoto liked Rosalina's story, but he felt it was too dark for a Mario game, which are intended to be lighthearted. Nintendo already has Zelda, Metroid, Xenoblade, and the appropriately named Eternal Darkness for darker narratives. So I have no problem with his decision to keep the Mario series as is.
Expansion pack basically means \"extra levels for the original\" or \"extra content for the original\". The equivalent of level-oriented DLC. So calling Galaxy 2 an \"expansion pack\" is fitting since it\'s basically more of the same with only a couple new things - Yoshi, the cloud suit.
Eh, we all have opinions.
I didn\'t really mention it in the review, because it\'s more or less the same experience as the first game, but there\'s a lot of stuff done right with the game. The level design is really nice if you like your video games linear. I\'m not too big on linear level design in 3D games, but the stages are definitely well-done takes on that.
The game\'s not an expansion pack simply for not reinventing the series again. I call it an expansion pack because there\'s not much too new in the way of gameplay aside from Yoshi and a couple of new power-ups. It\'s understandable, though, as 2 was originally going to be DLC for the first one.
I understand that Nintendo has loads of other stuff for darker narratives. Honestly, though, the big problem I have with the Strictly Formula nature of the series is it doesn\'t give the main games any room for character development. That\'s why I love the RP Gs (Well, most of them). They give the Mushroom Kingdom so much development that it\'s not even funny. I loved Rosalina in the first game for bringing some of that to the main series. Galaxy 2 doesn\'t have any of that, and Lubba is incredibly underdeveloped in comparison.
Again, though, I respect everyone\'s opinions on the matter. If you think that the series is best sticking to Excuse Plots, fine by me.
Inane motivational quote goes here
@KingBowser9001: I meant as far as keeping the series lighthearted.
I'm all for the idea of expanding of the series beyond 'save Princess Designated Victim, for the umpteenth time'. That's what I loved about the original SMG.
Yeah, same here. I\'m fine with an Excuse Plot, but I\'m looking for at least a downplayed version of an Excuse Plot. With the amount of times Save the Princess has been used, it feels like a case of the Grandfather Clause.
Inane motivational quote goes hereLeave a Comment:
Good game, but more of a galaxy-sized level pack than a new experience.
Did ya get my Incredibly Lame Pun there? I hope so.
Galaxy 1 was the absolute highest point in the entire series for me. Does the sequel measure up? Well, judging by the length of this review, of course it doesn't.
First off, story. Remember the grand-scale, Darker and Edgier story of the first game? Yeah, this one takes all that and throws it out the window. It's more or less the generic Excuse Plot we're all used to, as all Bowser wants is a cake, when he could've just gone to Walmart and got his own cake.
Basically rubbing salt into the wound, the game sports a rather traditional, story book-like feel. Again, this is after the first game's epic, grand-scale cinematic cutscenes. Somewhat justified in the end (Get all 120 stars to find out), but still, it's not what I wanted from what's said to be an Even Better Sequel. Miyamoto is seriously letting his emphasis on gameplay get in the way of what the fan base wants.
Now, that gameplay Miyamoto wants to emphasize. It's more or less the same gameplay with Yoshi tacked on. Yeah, that's awesome, and the base gameplay isn't bad, but it's not new. Because of this, the game feels more like an expensive level pack than a new game. And the game starts off much easier than the first game. The big Difficulty Spike doesn't happen until the special world.
Now, the special world is the very epitome of Nintendo Hard. But what about the artificial version? Yeah, remember the page image for Fake Difficulty? That happens. A lot. The first thing that comes to mind is the Green Stars. You have no clues on how to find them save for a faint twinkle, most are in incredibly cheap spots, and a couple can be rendered Unwinnable by Mistake.
The other contributor to the Fake Difficulty is the motion controls. Now, the motion controls were horrible in the first Galaxy, but they weren't a big problem until the Trial Galaxies. This game straight-up weaponizes the Waggle in the controls. Don't believe me? Play the Rolling Coaster's comet level and yell at me later.
However, don't let all that discourage you from getting the game. There is plenty of good stuff here. The soundtrack here is amazing, for starters. The linear level design kind of annoys me, but if you're okay with it, you will enjoy it. The feature of Yoshi is also really pleasant. He controls great and is all-around fun to use.
Overall, I can't call this an Even Better Sequel, but you'll still have a fun time with it. Just don't expect a big leap.