First Impressions?: Paper Mario Sticker Star (3DS)
Now I can't quite call this an official review because well... I haven't personally played the title in question, which it sounds like a RIDICULOUS notion to review a game before you play it, but I still feel like writing my thoughts on the game anyway. I have played the other 3 Paper Mario titles and I have watched the beginnings of a Let's Play of the title in question. This alone I feel is enough for me to make an educated criticism of the game even without physically playing it myself.
I labeled this under "First Impressions" because it is not a serious review and more my impressions on the game.
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Alright I suppose I should briefly outline my thoughts on the whole series;
Now the odd thing about Sticker Star is that it brings back turn-based combat, which means that their targeted demographic must be lowlifes like me who actually enjoy turn-based combat. I'd personally be happy about this turn back if it really was for the better.
Somewhere down the line in development, the developers decided that in a turn-based RPG, story isn't really important which is the dumbest thing I may have heard a developer say in years. And this shows because the storyline is comparable to the N64 original's bland storyline. In fact, it is virtually the same story just with stickers.
So they really shot themselves in the foot making another story bland Turn-Based RPG, but they also shot themselves in the mouth by forgetting to implement the original combat.
The game's combat system is pretty much explained as item using. Every attack is its own individual sticker item with one use. That means if you run out of stickers you lose. So the game is mostly about item management aka that thing in RPGs that I hate doing. Its basically playing Earthbound with ONLY Jeff which would suck!
They also removed leveling up... which confuses me. Bad guys only give you money for beating them, so you really have no reason to fight anything. And the only way to make yourself stronger is to get better stickers.
So what we have is an RPG with no character progression, an item only combat system, and no story. Its a game design NIGHTMARE!
Though oddly with all these short comings the game still oddly seems fun. Don't get me wrong its a horrible RPG, but it may not be that bad of a game. Its emotionally dead inside, but some people might find the strategy to maintaining a solid sticker library an enjoyable experience.
I might pick this one up when I get a 3DS if I can find it for cheap. The game still has the charm and funny dialogue that made us fall in love with the original. It might not be a huge grand experience like Thousand-Year Door or Super was, but it can be a tad bit enjoyable.
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