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Wednesday 20 February, 2008
Gameplay
There is just something about being a plumber adventuring in a drug inspired world that I do not like. From writing it out, it sounds like a great idea. But I cannot really get into these games. While playing the game I found myself frustrated, bored, and annoyed that I had to play so many more levels to beat the game. Now I find these ideas rather lame, as a game should have many levels to provide entertainment and I was only frustrated due to my own lack of skill. But at the same time this is how I felt while playing Mario Bros. 3, and for the most part I wanted to play something else.
The storyline progression is rather weak, as its simply beat this level and rescue someone. This is standard storylines though, so it was not something that disappointed me. The levels however, I just did not like. The level progression was just the same thing over and over, and I got bored. True each new world has a different look, and I expected myself to like these aspects. Super Mario Bros. 3 has great elements of gameplay and design, its just a game I did not really have a good time playing.
Design
Again, the design of this game is great. There are plenty of secrets hidden in the world, which in itself acts like a reward system. A player feels good when he has discovered a secret, and this game is chock-full of them. Furthermore, at the end of each level you are rewarded with a card, which leads to items that will help you along with the game. Once you progress, you will stumble upon various levels and have the chance to gain even more items to help you later on. To create challenges, the game has a variety of enemies that do various things. But the level design itself is a challenge, which is key to a platform game. Once you progress farther and farther into the game, the levels get harder to beat. The jumps are farther apart, or there are various obstacles in your way while being chased by enemies. Furthermore, the way the world is designed creates a challenge to the player as well. You usually have the choice to go to either level A or B, but along the way you may run into the Hammer Bros, and get set back and have to start all over again. If you win however, the game provides you with items to help you, which is key in keeping the player interested in the game.
It is odd because I do not really enjoy the game, but there is not much I would change. The game has a standard storyline one would expect from a game such as this, and the level designs are good. When you get to a new world, each level has a new design to it, which keeps them varied and interesting. What I do not like is the tone. It just seems to me the quirkyness of the first game is lost in this continuation. Either the hills with eyes that dance, or the odd look of the goombas overdoes the acid trip look of the first two games.
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