This thing was unbelievable. Truly revolutionary. It was pretty much the only game I played for a year (I had to borrow 500 bones from my folks to buy a 64 and Mario - took me a year to pay off!). Lulz.
Anyway, I've been pretty critical of the 3D Mario games that have followed Mario 64. Sunshine had awesome controls, but terrible level design and Galaxy is too linear. But having played through the first 37 Stars of Super Mario Galaxy 2 - a game which follows the linear model of Galaxy 1, I'm throwing out that complaint.
Linearity in games is by no means a bad thing. Linearity can provide focus, it can enhance the impact of the moment. Linear design can also increase the awesomeness of sequence breaking, over that of a sandbox model - because you're breaking the rules.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 has some of the best level design I've ever seen. The transition from 3D to the 2D sections is seamless and natural, the gravity effects play havoc with your senses, the camera angles are dynamic and intelligent, and the difficulty is challenging yet achievable. And because the levels are primarily linear, all these elements are so much more refined, as the game does not have to account for the user doing something out of the ordinary.
Know this peons, Mario Galaxy 2 is kicking my ass, and I'm loving it. Seriously I'm like a kid in a candy store.
There is this one section where you are on a cylindrical planet, and the gravitational force is from inside the cylinder. Because of this, you can drop from a ledge and fall endlessly around this cylinder until you hit a platform. It's mind bending stuff.
Another section had Mario running towards the camera, with a King Boo (giant ghost) chasing closely behind. Anyway, if you aren't running at full speed you will get caught. But if you are running at full speed, you get about half a second to react if there is a gap in the path or enemy in front of you. It's twitch gameplay at it's best, but the cinematography totally makes the experience.
But there is one moment that I'm going to take away from Mario Galaxy 2 above all else (thus far of course) - and to be honest, I am kicking myself that I allowed this moment to be spoiled for me pre-release - and that is the return of slides. Yes SLIDES. The fact that I knew about their return, and still got SO excited is a testament to how insanely awesome the slides were in Mario 64. And the best thing - the return of Peach's Secret Slide music! Check out the original and the new version below.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is phenomenal! Will it overtake Metroid Prime as my favorite game ever? Probably not. But the level of creativity on display is absolutely off the hook, and can only be attributed to what I assume is an almost lethal combination of hallucinogens, happy gas, caffeine and hookers. Think about it.
As it stands right now, every day I go to work and day dream about getting home and playing some more Mario Galaxy 2. I haven't done that in a long-ass time. If you haven't already picked up a copy, do it, before I snatch your ass in a bear trap. I'll make your eyes all black and blue and shit.
Audi.
