Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga
Features
This Game has surprising depth...
In the introductory sequence, Princess Peach is in her castle awaiting an ambassador from the BeanBean Kingdom. The "Ambassador" is revealed to be the evil witch Cackletta, and aided by her (intentionally) Engrish-speaking henchman Fawful, steal Princess Peach's voice, replacing it with a literally explosive vocabulary. Mario is then told that the Princess is in danger. In his haste to save the Princess, Mario unknowingly drags Luigi to the castle. It is there that they find Bowser who wanted to kidnap the Princess Peach, but does not want to anymore because kidnapping the princess in her condition would ruin his castle.
Unlike previous Mario games Bowser is not the key adversary this time around, instead this role is assumed by female witch named Cackletta. During the course of the game Mario and Luigi learn that the Cackletta's goal is to activate the beanstar, an object that will grant the holder's wishes, with the aid of princess's voice rule the world. The brothers join forces with the "flamboyant" Prince Peasley to defeat Cackletta and get the princess's voice back to restore balance to the BeanBean Kingdom.
While Bowser does play a role in the game he acts more as Mario's ally rather than nemesis, and the princess is not captured. However, midway through the game, Bowser becomes possessed by Cackletta, resulting in the twisted Bowletta, who, towards the end of the game, gains control of Bowser's Castle, including all of the minions in it (even the Koopalings). Bowletta plans to take over the BeanBean & Mushroom Kingdoms, eventually capturing the princess in the process, returning to the "status quo" of the Mario games, with Bowser as the enemy (to an extent) and the princess in danger.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga features a unique battle system similar those of Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario in which timed button presses are crucial to both increasing damage of party attacks and reducing the damage of enemy attacks. This system, however, is even more important in Superstar Saga, as well-timed button presses can not only increase damage done by your attacks, but also completely avoid or even counter enemy attacks as well.
In terms of gameplay Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga differentiates itself from most other RPGs mainly due to the amount of interaction that is required between the plumbers. Unlike "Paper Mario", "Superstar Saga" requires active and continual cooperation between the two main characters in order to solve environmental puzzle as well as during battle. It is this level of involvement that makes this game truly different from any other RPGs out there. Where this game differs is to how much correlation there is between the two. for example gaining an ability in the overworld will also unlock a new skill in battle.
Players may be switched at anytime and will alter the way that an ability is used as a result of where a particular Mario brother is situated. for example if a platform is too high for one brother a field ability can be used to allow Mario to climb on Luigi and then jump which is roughly twice the height that of a normal jump, comparatively placing Luigi in front and calling on Mario's "spin" ability will cause Luigi to climb on Mario's shoulders to allow the two to clear a wider distance than an ordinary jump distance between platforms. .
As the game progresses Mario and Luigi are given elemental abilities [Mario: Fire, Luigi: Shock] which allow Mario to light torches, or if behind Luigi cause him to dash, crashing through walls or avoid moving obstacles. Luigi's Electric Power allows for charging plasma orbs, or if behind Mario wail allow for linear movement facing the same direction to avoid narrow moving obstacles (such as spiked rollers) or to move Boo Switches that vanish if looked at.
Among the most prominently featured gameplay elements includes the use of the Hammer, which is as vital tool in both battle and non-battle activity but used differently. Aside from destroying boulders, in the field Mario can use his hammer (while behind Luigi) to drive him into the ground much like a mole allowing Luigi to dig up hidden objects (primarily Chuckle Beans) as well as clear doors and fences that are not blocked by steel plates. Luigi can climb out of the ground at any moment returning to his normal condition. Reversing the order of the brothers (i.e. Luigi behind Mario) will allow Luigi to hit Mario causing him to shrink to half his original allowing Mario to enter smaller passages. Mario cannot return to his original condition until he is once again hit by the hammer. While the front brother is in an "altered state" most other abilities disabled until they are returned to their original condition. Making use of these hammer abilities allows Mario & Luigi to temporarily separate from each other in order to solve environmental puzzles, while separate focus can be shifted between distant brothers using the start button. While separate only one brother will appear in battle if evoked. As the game progresses additional abilities granted by the famous hammer brothers who will periodically re-forge your hammers allowing it to break harder boulders or even wedge Luigi into the shape of a surf board among other things.
While visually, and audio wise similar to Paper Mario games the battle system really is quite different, but like Paper Mario there is a large emphasis on player timing to maximize attack and minimize damage inflicted. Few Role Playing games have provided videogame players control more than a single playable character in battle simultaneously during enemy attacks or when performing a defensive maneuver. Typical RPGs only allow attack one or all characters where there is no countermeasure with the exception of player equipment. Mario & Luigi does a way with most of that in favor of player controlled timing in conjuction with eqipible items and equipment which alter the playable characters physical attributes in a desired or undesired manner.
As you begin the primary mode of attack is the "Jump" which serves both offensive and defensive rolls. when attacking "SOLO" using jump additional damage can be done by correctly timing the moment of impact occasionally resulting in a "LUCKY" which imposes more damage to the targeted enemy.
The use of the hammer during battle is for both offensive and defensive purposes. In general Mario and Luigi share the same hammer abilities in battle, it can be used for attacking ground based enemies only (using the hammer to attack flying enemies will result in a miss). After activating a hammer attack your active character will move toward the enemy and ready the hammer for impact, the player must press that players button in order to released the hammer to attack, if the Mario or Luigi hold the hammer ready for too long will cause the head to fall off resulting in a very weak attack, timing correctly will allow for more damage.Different enemies respond differently to different forms of attack and depending on the enemy.
As with Jump the defensive capabilities of the hammer will automatically selected Dependant upon the type of attack the enemy uses. In some instances the hammer can be used to counter attack, such as when an enemy moves toward a playable character the hammer can be used to attack before the enemy does. In occasions where a projectile is thrown the hammer may be used the deflect it or destroy it before it reaches either main character. As with jumping timing is crucial in executing a counter attack or a defensive maneuver.
Unique to Mario & Luigi: Super star saga is the Brother moves which become available after new abilities are gained. Bothers Moves allow both to attack as a combined effort. Brothers Moves require the use of Brothers Points (BP) depending upon how many points used determines the maximum amount of damage that can be dealt and the degree of difficulty required to execute the selected ability. The effect of a Brothers Move is based heavily on the players button press timing preforming the maneuver correctly will maximize damage to enemy characters.
In the introductory sequence, Princess Peach is in her castle awaiting an ambassador from the BeanBean Kingdom. The "Ambassador" is revealed to be the evil witch Cackletta, and aided by her (intentionally) Engrish-speaking henchman Fawful, steal Princess Peach's voice, replacing it with a literally explosive vocabulary. Mario is then told that the Princess is in danger. In his haste to save the Princess, Mario unknowingly drags Luigi to the castle. It is there that they find Bowser who wanted to kidnap the Princess Peach, but does not want to anymore because kidnapping the princess in her condition would ruin his castle.
Unlike previous Mario games Bowser is not the key adversary this time around, instead this role is assumed by female witch named Cackletta. During the course of the game Mario and Luigi learn that the Cackletta's goal is to activate the beanstar, an object that will grant the holder's wishes, with the aid of princess's voice rule the world. The brothers join forces with the "flamboyant" Prince Peasley to defeat Cackletta and get the princess's voice back to restore balance to the BeanBean Kingdom.
While Bowser does play a role in the game he acts more as Mario's ally rather than nemesis, and the princess is not captured. However, midway through the game, Bowser becomes possessed by Cackletta, resulting in the twisted Bowletta, who, towards the end of the game, gains control of Bowser's Castle, including all of the minions in it (even the Koopalings). Bowletta plans to take over the BeanBean & Mushroom Kingdoms, eventually capturing the princess in the process, returning to the "status quo" of the Mario games, with Bowser as the enemy (to an extent) and the princess in danger.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga features a unique battle system similar those of Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario in which timed button presses are crucial to both increasing damage of party attacks and reducing the damage of enemy attacks. This system, however, is even more important in Superstar Saga, as well-timed button presses can not only increase damage done by your attacks, but also completely avoid or even counter enemy attacks as well.
In terms of gameplay Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga differentiates itself from most other RPGs mainly due to the amount of interaction that is required between the plumbers. Unlike "Paper Mario", "Superstar Saga" requires active and continual cooperation between the two main characters in order to solve environmental puzzle as well as during battle. It is this level of involvement that makes this game truly different from any other RPGs out there. Where this game differs is to how much correlation there is between the two. for example gaining an ability in the overworld will also unlock a new skill in battle.
Players may be switched at anytime and will alter the way that an ability is used as a result of where a particular Mario brother is situated. for example if a platform is too high for one brother a field ability can be used to allow Mario to climb on Luigi and then jump which is roughly twice the height that of a normal jump, comparatively placing Luigi in front and calling on Mario's "spin" ability will cause Luigi to climb on Mario's shoulders to allow the two to clear a wider distance than an ordinary jump distance between platforms. .
As the game progresses Mario and Luigi are given elemental abilities [Mario: Fire, Luigi: Shock] which allow Mario to light torches, or if behind Luigi cause him to dash, crashing through walls or avoid moving obstacles. Luigi's Electric Power allows for charging plasma orbs, or if behind Mario wail allow for linear movement facing the same direction to avoid narrow moving obstacles (such as spiked rollers) or to move Boo Switches that vanish if looked at.
Among the most prominently featured gameplay elements includes the use of the Hammer, which is as vital tool in both battle and non-battle activity but used differently. Aside from destroying boulders, in the field Mario can use his hammer (while behind Luigi) to drive him into the ground much like a mole allowing Luigi to dig up hidden objects (primarily Chuckle Beans) as well as clear doors and fences that are not blocked by steel plates. Luigi can climb out of the ground at any moment returning to his normal condition. Reversing the order of the brothers (i.e. Luigi behind Mario) will allow Luigi to hit Mario causing him to shrink to half his original allowing Mario to enter smaller passages. Mario cannot return to his original condition until he is once again hit by the hammer. While the front brother is in an "altered state" most other abilities disabled until they are returned to their original condition. Making use of these hammer abilities allows Mario & Luigi to temporarily separate from each other in order to solve environmental puzzles, while separate focus can be shifted between distant brothers using the start button. While separate only one brother will appear in battle if evoked. As the game progresses additional abilities granted by the famous hammer brothers who will periodically re-forge your hammers allowing it to break harder boulders or even wedge Luigi into the shape of a surf board among other things.
While visually, and audio wise similar to Paper Mario games the battle system really is quite different, but like Paper Mario there is a large emphasis on player timing to maximize attack and minimize damage inflicted. Few Role Playing games have provided videogame players control more than a single playable character in battle simultaneously during enemy attacks or when performing a defensive maneuver. Typical RPGs only allow attack one or all characters where there is no countermeasure with the exception of player equipment. Mario & Luigi does a way with most of that in favor of player controlled timing in conjuction with eqipible items and equipment which alter the playable characters physical attributes in a desired or undesired manner.
As you begin the primary mode of attack is the "Jump" which serves both offensive and defensive rolls. when attacking "SOLO" using jump additional damage can be done by correctly timing the moment of impact occasionally resulting in a "LUCKY" which imposes more damage to the targeted enemy.
The use of the hammer during battle is for both offensive and defensive purposes. In general Mario and Luigi share the same hammer abilities in battle, it can be used for attacking ground based enemies only (using the hammer to attack flying enemies will result in a miss). After activating a hammer attack your active character will move toward the enemy and ready the hammer for impact, the player must press that players button in order to released the hammer to attack, if the Mario or Luigi hold the hammer ready for too long will cause the head to fall off resulting in a very weak attack, timing correctly will allow for more damage.Different enemies respond differently to different forms of attack and depending on the enemy.
As with Jump the defensive capabilities of the hammer will automatically selected Dependant upon the type of attack the enemy uses. In some instances the hammer can be used to counter attack, such as when an enemy moves toward a playable character the hammer can be used to attack before the enemy does. In occasions where a projectile is thrown the hammer may be used the deflect it or destroy it before it reaches either main character. As with jumping timing is crucial in executing a counter attack or a defensive maneuver.
Unique to Mario & Luigi: Super star saga is the Brother moves which become available after new abilities are gained. Bothers Moves allow both to attack as a combined effort. Brothers Moves require the use of Brothers Points (BP) depending upon how many points used determines the maximum amount of damage that can be dealt and the degree of difficulty required to execute the selected ability. The effect of a Brothers Move is based heavily on the players button press timing preforming the maneuver correctly will maximize damage to enemy characters.
