Fans of the Super Mario franchise and turn-based RPGs have had a feast of content on the Nintendo Switch recently. In the past year alone, we’ve seen the exciting remakes of Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Now, after a long wait of nearly ten years, the beloved Mario & Luigi series is back, ready to embark on a fresh adventure. Having had the opportunity to play through the game ahead of its release, let’s dive into whether Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a worthy successor to this cherished spin-off series or if it falls flat.
To maintain the excitement and avoid spoilers, this review will refrain from delving into intricate story details beyond what was highlighted in our preview. The plot embraces a journey where Mario and Luigi navigate the divided land of Concordia, collaborating with its inhabitants to reconnect the fragmented islands. While the narrative starts slowly, it builds momentum with escalating stakes and a blend of heartfelt and humorous dialogue, brought to life by a vibrant cast of characters—both allies and foes—imbued with charm. Ultimately, Brothership delivers one of the most compelling stories in the Mario & Luigi franchise.
The main hub of the game, Shipshape Island, serves as the connective point for all of Concordia’s islands. Players can utilize a map to adjust the ship’s ever-changing course, navigating through ocean currents to uncover new islands. Most of the journey follows a linear path tied to the main quest, but players will occasionally have the choice of which island to visit first. After successfully establishing a link to a new island, players can freely traverse between them using warp pipes for exploration, collecting valuable items, and engaging in side quests—just be wary that some of these side quests are only available temporarily.
Every island presents something unique to unveil, with the core mission being to reach the ‘Connectar Plug’ to restore the link to Shipshape Island. Achieving this isn’t straightforward; players must traverse enemy encounters, solve environmental puzzles, and interact with island residents appropriately. The game employs a fixed camera angle which allows full control of Mario’s movements, while Luigi follows closely behind. Players can manage both brothers’ jumps and attacks separately, triggering ‘Luigi Logic’ by pressing a button when necessary. This allows Luigi to pick up objects, activate switches, and assist with various tasks. Additionally, you’ll unlock ‘Bros. Moves’ that enable them to transform into forms like a UFO for brief platform gliding or a rolling ball to navigate tight spaces. These layered mechanics foster engaging and thought-provoking puzzle design that becomes increasingly challenging as you advance.
While RPGs can sometimes intimidate newcomers, the Mario titles are renowned for their accessibility. The Mario & Luigi series, especially Brothership, finds a perfect middle ground, appealing to seasoned RPG enthusiasts while also serving as a gentle introduction for newcomers. The trade-off lies in the gradual introduction of battle mechanics, enhancing the experience with a natural ramp-up in difficulty. Moreover, players can reduce the difficulty of specific battles after encountering a Game Over multiple times, a feature that can be lifesaving during protracted boss fights. Ample save blocks and autosave features ensure that players don’t have to worry about losing progress.
Each brother features distinct statistics, including HP (health points), BP (battle points), Power, Defense, Speed, and Stache (luck). You can enhance these stats by wearing various equipment earned through side quests, purchased in shops across the islands, or crafted at the Shipshape Island workshop using materials obtained from foes. Accumulating experience points and leveling up both Mario and Luigi is a key strategy to boost stats, encouraging players to engage in combat whenever possible. It can be frustrating when an enemy unexpectedly charges at you, initiating a battle, but you can always flee (except during boss fights) if your health is low or your focus lies elsewhere. After reaching a specific level threshold, brothers can also rank up, granting a selection of stat improvements useful for future battles.
The combat system in Mario & Luigi: Brothership is turn-based, yet remains consistently engaging. While it may sound challenging, mastering your reflexes and understanding enemy attack patterns will allow you to counter effectively. Each brother has their respective turns, where they can use BP for powerful ‘Bros. Attacks’ or conduct regular Jump or Hammer attacks based on the enemy type. However, the first step in attacking is just the beginning; players must time button presses as indicated on-screen to maximize damage. Despite the game being capped at 30fps, I experienced no issues with timing, and successfully executing attacks and counters feels immensely satisfying.
But the brothers can do more than just attack during their turns. Utilizing gathered items, such as Mushrooms for HP restoration, Syrup Jars to replenish BP, and 1-Ups for reviving fallen allies, is crucial for maintaining your strategic edge. New to this installment are the Battle Plugs, which introduce various passive abilities that enhance attacks, simplify counters, or negate status ailments. Players can create new Battle Plugs outside of combat using Sprite Bulbs discovered in the islands, and they can freely switch them out during battles as needed. The number of Battle Plugs equipped depends on the Power Taps unlocked as you progress. Each Battle Plug features a specific number of uses and a recharge time, adding another layer of resource management that is essential for victory, keeping the combat fresh throughout the game’s 30-plus hour average playtime.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is an outstanding adventure that emphasizes the significance of both the journey and the destination. No matter if you are a newcomer or a long-time fan of the series, the engaging narrative filled with witty characters will keep you hooked as you journey from island to island, working to restore Concordia. With its thought-provoking puzzles and deep RPG battle mechanics, there’s an abundance of enjoyment to be found at every turn. Be sure to grab Mario & Luigi: Brothership when it releases for Nintendo Switch on November 7th, 2024.
9/10
A review copy of Mario & Luigi: Brothership was provided by Nintendo UK.