Paper Mario 2: Thousand Year Door is another one of those Ninentdo sequels that was put on a higher console than the original. But, like most of the 'higher console' sequels, I can't review the original, simple because I have not played it in a long time, or have not played it at all. For this one...I have not played it at all.
Anyways, Paper Mario 2 is an awesome game. Why? Well, most importantly, it has very simplified game play. No need for Final Fantasy like stats, and advanced customization. No. This one keeps the numbers of the stats small and tidy. For example, you only have a set of stats to manage: Health, Badge Power and Flower Power. Your health is obviously what keeps you alive. Any video game fan would know that. Badge Power tells you how many badges to equip. These badges can help you in battle, and the more badge power you have, the more badges you can equip. Simple. Flower Power lets you use special attacks. The more Flower Power you have, the more special attacks you can use. Simple as that.
The game is presented in 2-D, where the characters are paper-thin and can do things such as slip sideways into cracks in the wall.
The levels are top-notch. You will be given puzzles and challenges of all sorts. You will also be finding keys, fighting enemies, and using your allies help to advance further.
There are plenty of boss fights too. Each one is slightly different than the next. The fights are heck of fun too.
However, it does seem to have a few flaws. The coins are pretty hard to get. Things are priced pretty highly, and it takes a lot of times to gather the necessary amount of money. I'm sure it has other flaws, but I can't put my finger on them. I think I was expecting something on the same lever as Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, and I was disappointed.
Well, it is a great game, just not as great as I'd like it to be.
8.5/10
Good: Simple game play, and level variation
Bad: I am kind of biased, because I was expecting something like Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. Plus, the money system isn't that great.
