Dear Readers,
The title screen has changed! Before it was just Mario and Luigi onscreen. Now, Bowser and everyone from the Paper World are here and there's a cute little looping animation of them all running around the place. Hang out and have a watch! The title screen music is lovely. It's a bit like the battle theme and has a lively tambourine beat. On the bottom screen, the Paper Toads are facing the Paper baddies on the right.
We've levelled up a few times during these recent battles but we don't have the stat boosting choice yet.
We explore Sunbeam Plains a little bit more. The mini game where the block moves back and forth from before can now be done with Paper Mario as well. It seems to keep a different high score too but I'm not sure.
Dashing is great. We can dash forever as long as we hold the Circle Pad in a direction. It doesn't stop when we hit a wall or move to the next screen either. Great fun :)
Anyway, I forget how to do the slide, so I check the tutorials and practise with Starlow. She says "Aww, thanks for the hug! ♥" when we catch her.
It seems you can only slide when the ! symbol appears. Didn't know that. Anyway, dashing into enemies only does damage to one in a group with all three characters. Jumping on them gives them all a bit of damage with one character.
Another thing I love about jumping on baddies in battle and getting excellent hits is the way Mario & Luigi do these acrobatic somersaults when they finish! Paper Mario does too! They all look really classy when they get an excellent hit and it feels really good.
We venture back along Sunbeam Plains, get coins from the Spinny Flowers and come across an orange trampoline thingy. After dashing into it, it springs us onto a little island with Cosy Wear. I equip it on Luigi, seeing how his speed is lower than the others. I want to use his fire flower move to get more expert challenge points too.
There's the odd crevice or two that are easy to miss! Make sure to check everything so that you may find everything!
We head back to Peach's Castle. Nothing has changed here with the Paper Toads and the green counter at the shop is still closed. We can redeem expert challenge points but there may be better items to use them on later. Might as well save them up.
Let's head forward through Sunbeam Plains again.
Thursday, 7 January 2016
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
5 Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros - Hooray for Dash Socks! Rescuing the 8 Paper Toads of Sunbeam Plains
Dear Readers,
Today, I'll talk about rescuing the 8 Paper Toads in this area and about the amazing Dash Socks!
Up the steps we meet a real Goomba that's holding a Paper Toad captive on its head so we give chase.
At the bottom of the steps there's a crevice in the wall that Paper Mario can slip through. On the other side are some So-So boots. Before I get a chance to equip them I run into some Paper Paratroopas!
I'm a bit clumsy with these guys so I haven't figured out how to avoid their pattern yet. The tutorial talks about an emergency guard option when you can't dodge by pressing X. Looks like it could come in handy.
Afterwards, I give the So-So Boots to Luigi.
Further back, we see the Goomba kidnapper along with another one who kidnapped another Paper Toad. The game makes an event out of rescuing them by saying "Ready... Go!". There's 8 of them to be rescued here but there's no timer. Enemies are Goombas mixed with Paper Paratroopas.
Sometimes the Paper Paratroopas attack high, or low or from the side. Just know when to jump dodge!
Back at the crevice the green Paper Toad slipped through, Paper Mario can go through and rescue him.
Back further, we meet some Biddybuds. They stack on top of one another.
We meet a light purple Paper Toad bouncing on the music blocks here and rescue him. Doesn't seem to be in any danger though!
We rescue another Paper Toad from a Goomba. He tells us he was getting a bit queasy until we rescued him.
Next is a blue Paper Toad who runs away upon seeing us. We can't catch him so we move on. Then we find three more Paper Toads masquerading as a fence!
We tell them about the Toad we couldn't catch and they give us the Dash Socks. This just may be the greatest item in the game! We can press X to make all three of us jump at once(thank you so much!) and upon landing, we can dash to move around at a quicker speed and make the Spinny Flowers bloom and release coins. I'm going to love this! A reprise of the Super Mario Bros 1-1 theme plays during this, adding to the joy :)
The second of this trio teaches us about the slide to catch things. Thanks dude! The third makes us practise this technique by chasing him. When we catch him, the event music starts playing. Time to catch that blue Paper Toad!
I've been playing for a while, so on the pause screen, the game suggests taking a break. It promises it'll still be around when I get back. How cute. It's a good call though. I'll take a break when this event is done.
After a bit of sliding, we finally catch the blue Paper Toad! He says he's relieved we aren't Bowser's minions.
A big "Cleared!" message appears, signifying the end of the Paper Toad catching event.
The recording Lakitu appears and greets us. He has a strange voice. I don't think I've heard him say anything before in a Mario game. He sounds a bit like Mr. Hankey from South Park. Anyway, he tells us he's delivered the Paper Toads back to the castle safely for us.
Today, I'll talk about rescuing the 8 Paper Toads in this area and about the amazing Dash Socks!
Up the steps we meet a real Goomba that's holding a Paper Toad captive on its head so we give chase.
At the bottom of the steps there's a crevice in the wall that Paper Mario can slip through. On the other side are some So-So boots. Before I get a chance to equip them I run into some Paper Paratroopas!
I'm a bit clumsy with these guys so I haven't figured out how to avoid their pattern yet. The tutorial talks about an emergency guard option when you can't dodge by pressing X. Looks like it could come in handy.
Afterwards, I give the So-So Boots to Luigi.
Further back, we see the Goomba kidnapper along with another one who kidnapped another Paper Toad. The game makes an event out of rescuing them by saying "Ready... Go!". There's 8 of them to be rescued here but there's no timer. Enemies are Goombas mixed with Paper Paratroopas.
Sometimes the Paper Paratroopas attack high, or low or from the side. Just know when to jump dodge!
Back at the crevice the green Paper Toad slipped through, Paper Mario can go through and rescue him.
Back further, we meet some Biddybuds. They stack on top of one another.
We meet a light purple Paper Toad bouncing on the music blocks here and rescue him. Doesn't seem to be in any danger though!
We rescue another Paper Toad from a Goomba. He tells us he was getting a bit queasy until we rescued him.
Next is a blue Paper Toad who runs away upon seeing us. We can't catch him so we move on. Then we find three more Paper Toads masquerading as a fence!
We tell them about the Toad we couldn't catch and they give us the Dash Socks. This just may be the greatest item in the game! We can press X to make all three of us jump at once(thank you so much!) and upon landing, we can dash to move around at a quicker speed and make the Spinny Flowers bloom and release coins. I'm going to love this! A reprise of the Super Mario Bros 1-1 theme plays during this, adding to the joy :)
The second of this trio teaches us about the slide to catch things. Thanks dude! The third makes us practise this technique by chasing him. When we catch him, the event music starts playing. Time to catch that blue Paper Toad!
I've been playing for a while, so on the pause screen, the game suggests taking a break. It promises it'll still be around when I get back. How cute. It's a good call though. I'll take a break when this event is done.
After a bit of sliding, we finally catch the blue Paper Toad! He says he's relieved we aren't Bowser's minions.
A big "Cleared!" message appears, signifying the end of the Paper Toad catching event.
The recording Lakitu appears and greets us. He has a strange voice. I don't think I've heard him say anything before in a Mario game. He sounds a bit like Mr. Hankey from South Park. Anyway, he tells us he's delivered the Paper Toads back to the castle safely for us.
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
4 Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros - Meeting Paper Mario!
Dear Readers,
Today I'll talk about meeting Paper Mario and getting used to him in our team.
Today I'll talk about meeting Paper Mario and getting used to him in our team.
Sunbeam Plains is full of those X holes, but we don't have the ability to excavate them yet. In previous games, you'd get stat boosting beans from them.
We meet a green Paper Toad, but he gets spooked by a real Goomba and runs through a small crevice between two rocks to escape. Poor Luigi tries it out for size and gets his nose stuck! He pulls it out though, and we continue exploring and beating up more Goombas.
The real Goombas attack faster than the Paper Goombas so that's something to look out for.
There are also these poles around the place. Must have something to do with Paper Mario when we meet him.
Soon, we run into a group of Paper Goombas arranged like a V shape. One of them seeks revenge and they all gang up on us, turning into a big paper wheel! They knock Mario & Luigi out... Oh no!
Just then, Paper Mario floats in! He's able to deal with them while the real Mario Bros. are unconscious. Starlow gives him the Copy Block the Paper Toads gave us. His actions use the Y button and he can do a high flutter jump. The 6 copies add extra damage and alleviate taken damage, which comes in handy. Copying will cost a turn.
The music changes to the standard battle theme for this game too. Will we ever hear the other theme again? Not sure. Maybe if they separate? Anyway, I like the main battle theme. I'll see how I feel about it as the game goes on.
The Paper Goomba wheel gets smaller and eventually we beat them! Afterwards, Luigi gives Paper Mario a big crumply hug during introductions. Paper Mario and real Mario greet one another with twirls and somersaults! We all team up for the adventure!
Starlow tells us to jump over a few steps to get used to things and man it feels a bit weird. If I want them to jump all together I have to press Y, B and A, holding my thumb horizontally across them. Otherwise I'd hit X. Let's see how it goes. There are a few blocks here too that Paper Mario can hit. These are marked with a yellow P.
The real Goombas attack faster than the Paper Goombas so that's something to look out for.
There are also these poles around the place. Must have something to do with Paper Mario when we meet him.
Soon, we run into a group of Paper Goombas arranged like a V shape. One of them seeks revenge and they all gang up on us, turning into a big paper wheel! They knock Mario & Luigi out... Oh no!
Just then, Paper Mario floats in! He's able to deal with them while the real Mario Bros. are unconscious. Starlow gives him the Copy Block the Paper Toads gave us. His actions use the Y button and he can do a high flutter jump. The 6 copies add extra damage and alleviate taken damage, which comes in handy. Copying will cost a turn.
The music changes to the standard battle theme for this game too. Will we ever hear the other theme again? Not sure. Maybe if they separate? Anyway, I like the main battle theme. I'll see how I feel about it as the game goes on.
The Paper Goomba wheel gets smaller and eventually we beat them! Afterwards, Luigi gives Paper Mario a big crumply hug during introductions. Paper Mario and real Mario greet one another with twirls and somersaults! We all team up for the adventure!
Starlow tells us to jump over a few steps to get used to things and man it feels a bit weird. If I want them to jump all together I have to press Y, B and A, holding my thumb horizontally across them. Otherwise I'd hit X. Let's see how it goes. There are a few blocks here too that Paper Mario can hit. These are marked with a yellow P.
Monday, 4 January 2016
3 Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros - More on battling, A and B for Mario & Luigi
Dear Readers,
Today I'll talk more about battling.
I've always loved the battle gameplay in this series, Mario using A for his actions and Luigi using B for his. It makes a triumphant return here and the Superstar Saga theme is a lovely throwback too. I realise it'll all change when I meet Paper Mario. The new theme is nice enough too. I heard it from preview videos.
For now I'm just running around battling Goombas and Paper Goombas and beating the earlier expert challenges.
We're usually introduced to an M&L game by pressing A for Mario to jump but here we're introduced to Luigi's B jump instead. That's a nice touch!
Then there's the first couple of Bros. Attacks. The 3D Red Shell is as awesome as it always was. Taking turns kicking the shell and bouncing it off the bad guy was always a defining element in this series and I'm really happy to see it again. The Fire Flower works just like it does in the last game.
The hammers you have immediately from the beginning instead of being gently introduced as you go on. They work just like they do in the last game as well. I was able to crumple the Paper Goombas as well. I wonder if Paper Mario can get crumpled?
Today I'll talk more about battling.
I've always loved the battle gameplay in this series, Mario using A for his actions and Luigi using B for his. It makes a triumphant return here and the Superstar Saga theme is a lovely throwback too. I realise it'll all change when I meet Paper Mario. The new theme is nice enough too. I heard it from preview videos.
For now I'm just running around battling Goombas and Paper Goombas and beating the earlier expert challenges.
We're usually introduced to an M&L game by pressing A for Mario to jump but here we're introduced to Luigi's B jump instead. That's a nice touch!
Then there's the first couple of Bros. Attacks. The 3D Red Shell is as awesome as it always was. Taking turns kicking the shell and bouncing it off the bad guy was always a defining element in this series and I'm really happy to see it again. The Fire Flower works just like it does in the last game.
The hammers you have immediately from the beginning instead of being gently introduced as you go on. They work just like they do in the last game as well. I was able to crumple the Paper Goombas as well. I wonder if Paper Mario can get crumpled?
Sunday, 3 January 2016
2 Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros - Battling in Sunbeam Plains, Bowser meets Bowser
Dear Readers,
Today I'll talk about the first few battles in Sunbeam Plains and the introduction of Paper Bowser.
Up ahead are two Paper Goombas. Mario, Luigi and Starlow poke at them with fascination. They get angry and attack!
For the first few battles, we get an amazing rendition of the battle theme from the first Mario & Luigi game, Superstar Saga. I really really love this! Starlow comes out and points us to an optional picture tutorial accessible from the touch screen.
The story goes to Bowser's Castle where Bowser meets Paper Bowser. "Who the heck is this guy?" they both ask at the same time. Bowser is the coolest in this series! Bowser's Inside Story was fantastic and it looks like he has the same attitude here, calling his Paper self a flimsy knockoff. They start fighting until a Goomba interrupts. We then see Bowser Jr. meeting with Paper Bowser Jr!
Back to Mario, Luigi and Starlow, who has a weird shivery feeling.
Up ahead are two real world Goombas. They mutter something about a flat Mario and attack. Starlow talks about circular targets that appear when I'm about to be attacked. She also talks about expert challenges, little achievement things that were in the last game too.
There's quite a few of these challenges. Looks like I'll have my hands full trying to get them all. The game also seems to keep a record of ? blocks you hit and Paper Toads you rescue.
Up ahead is a Paper Toad who freaks out upon seeing me, so I'll have to catch him. In this area I freely seek and defeat the Goombas and Paper Goombas, getting more acquainted with the action parts of the game. There's a little mini-game here where Mario & Luigi take turns hitting a block between themselves. It keeps score and goes faster the more times you hit it.
Today I'll talk about the first few battles in Sunbeam Plains and the introduction of Paper Bowser.
Up ahead are two Paper Goombas. Mario, Luigi and Starlow poke at them with fascination. They get angry and attack!
For the first few battles, we get an amazing rendition of the battle theme from the first Mario & Luigi game, Superstar Saga. I really really love this! Starlow comes out and points us to an optional picture tutorial accessible from the touch screen.
The story goes to Bowser's Castle where Bowser meets Paper Bowser. "Who the heck is this guy?" they both ask at the same time. Bowser is the coolest in this series! Bowser's Inside Story was fantastic and it looks like he has the same attitude here, calling his Paper self a flimsy knockoff. They start fighting until a Goomba interrupts. We then see Bowser Jr. meeting with Paper Bowser Jr!
Back to Mario, Luigi and Starlow, who has a weird shivery feeling.
Up ahead are two real world Goombas. They mutter something about a flat Mario and attack. Starlow talks about circular targets that appear when I'm about to be attacked. She also talks about expert challenges, little achievement things that were in the last game too.
There's quite a few of these challenges. Looks like I'll have my hands full trying to get them all. The game also seems to keep a record of ? blocks you hit and Paper Toads you rescue.
Up ahead is a Paper Toad who freaks out upon seeing me, so I'll have to catch him. In this area I freely seek and defeat the Goombas and Paper Goombas, getting more acquainted with the action parts of the game. There's a little mini-game here where Mario & Luigi take turns hitting a block between themselves. It keeps score and goes faster the more times you hit it.
Saturday, 2 January 2016
1 Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros - Paper explosion!
Dear Readers,
New Mario & Luigi game! This is my favourite RPG series and this is the 5th one! As a fan I'm well served!
At a glance, it looks like loading times are minuscule and you can press R to fast forward through cut scenes and advance text. How considerate!
Headphones are a must too. This is Yoko Shimomura's work we're talking about here! From the left speaker, when can hear Luigi whimper as he's a bit too scared to go into the dark dusty room with one of the Toads. Seriously, try headphones!
While dealing with a mouse, Luigi unwittingly knocks open a book that unleashes characters from the Paper Mushroom Kingdom into the Mario & Luigi world. The music outside is very pleasant. Soon, we're in the throne room for the next scene where we meet Paper Princess Peach. A very mellow classical rendition of Peach's Castle from Super Mario 64 plays here.
Mario, Princess Peach, the Toads and Starlow are here. Luigi explains the story to them with Charles Martinet's humorous Italian gibberish that I've come to love from the series :)
The stained glass image of Peach is very pretty here. The blue Toad here loves it.
Mario & Luigi go all blushy and shy when they're introduced to Paper Peach.
You get a guide from one of the Toads and can read up on tutorials and story recaps anytime you want.
The first thing to do is to gather all the Paper Toads. They got scared when they appeared in this world so it's time to round them up. First ones are in the castle lobby. The music that plays here sounds like you're going to do a serious mission and is quite fitting. I've seen a mission like this from the E3 presentation last Summer and that one had a timer. This one doesn't, being an introductory one I suppose.
The Paper Toads I rescue tell me about the other Paper Toads who weren't so lucky. They got captured by Goombas from this world. Serious sinister music plays here. Next thing to do is head out and rescue them and find Paper Mario too. I wonder if Paper Luigi makes an appearance? From what I've seen so far it doesn't really look like it.
I head to another part of the castle where the Toads are dealing with Nabbit, who's stolen some Bros. Attacks. Sad music plays here while the Toads mourn their loss. It's a good thing he didn't take them all, we still get the 3D Red Shell and the Fire Flower. They seem to work similar to the last game, Dream Team Bros. and you don't have to practise them either. Just select it from the pause menu.
A nice touch here is they way they spell "Practise" using an s. This is a true European localisation alright! :)
There's a shop in the castle too but I don't buy anything yet. One of the counters isn't open yet either.
You can save anytime by tapping the icon on the touch screen. Very convenient! It doesn't take long to save either, so that's nice.
On the way out, I meet Toadette. She's made a little papercraft Mario and promises to make me a life sized one. How nice of her! :) She says she's getting pretty good at adventuring. It's true! This time last year we went on lots of nice adventures with her and Captain Toad.
Just then, the Paper Toads I rescued catch up with me and give me the Copy Block. They made it in their little chamber in the castle. Toadette gets all inspired and goes back with them to see what they can create together.
Outside the castle, I meet Lakitu. A good Lakitu. Princess Peach has asked him to keep a record of things. Looks like he's keeping his own game diary!
New Mario & Luigi game! This is my favourite RPG series and this is the 5th one! As a fan I'm well served!
At a glance, it looks like loading times are minuscule and you can press R to fast forward through cut scenes and advance text. How considerate!
Headphones are a must too. This is Yoko Shimomura's work we're talking about here! From the left speaker, when can hear Luigi whimper as he's a bit too scared to go into the dark dusty room with one of the Toads. Seriously, try headphones!
While dealing with a mouse, Luigi unwittingly knocks open a book that unleashes characters from the Paper Mushroom Kingdom into the Mario & Luigi world. The music outside is very pleasant. Soon, we're in the throne room for the next scene where we meet Paper Princess Peach. A very mellow classical rendition of Peach's Castle from Super Mario 64 plays here.
Mario, Princess Peach, the Toads and Starlow are here. Luigi explains the story to them with Charles Martinet's humorous Italian gibberish that I've come to love from the series :)
The stained glass image of Peach is very pretty here. The blue Toad here loves it.
Mario & Luigi go all blushy and shy when they're introduced to Paper Peach.
You get a guide from one of the Toads and can read up on tutorials and story recaps anytime you want.
The first thing to do is to gather all the Paper Toads. They got scared when they appeared in this world so it's time to round them up. First ones are in the castle lobby. The music that plays here sounds like you're going to do a serious mission and is quite fitting. I've seen a mission like this from the E3 presentation last Summer and that one had a timer. This one doesn't, being an introductory one I suppose.
The Paper Toads I rescue tell me about the other Paper Toads who weren't so lucky. They got captured by Goombas from this world. Serious sinister music plays here. Next thing to do is head out and rescue them and find Paper Mario too. I wonder if Paper Luigi makes an appearance? From what I've seen so far it doesn't really look like it.
I head to another part of the castle where the Toads are dealing with Nabbit, who's stolen some Bros. Attacks. Sad music plays here while the Toads mourn their loss. It's a good thing he didn't take them all, we still get the 3D Red Shell and the Fire Flower. They seem to work similar to the last game, Dream Team Bros. and you don't have to practise them either. Just select it from the pause menu.
A nice touch here is they way they spell "Practise" using an s. This is a true European localisation alright! :)
There's a shop in the castle too but I don't buy anything yet. One of the counters isn't open yet either.
You can save anytime by tapping the icon on the touch screen. Very convenient! It doesn't take long to save either, so that's nice.
On the way out, I meet Toadette. She's made a little papercraft Mario and promises to make me a life sized one. How nice of her! :) She says she's getting pretty good at adventuring. It's true! This time last year we went on lots of nice adventures with her and Captain Toad.
Just then, the Paper Toads I rescued catch up with me and give me the Copy Block. They made it in their little chamber in the castle. Toadette gets all inspired and goes back with them to see what they can create together.
Outside the castle, I meet Lakitu. A good Lakitu. Princess Peach has asked him to keep a record of things. Looks like he's keeping his own game diary!
Friday, 1 January 2016
18 Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash 4-5 The Bomball Ruins, lost all battery life!
Dear Readers,
Happy New Year!
Today, I'll talk about visiting this level for the first time and what it's like to lose all of Chibi-Robo's battery life.
It's daytime in the forest again! This time though, it's all about exploring ruins with sensitive bomb puzzles. I messed up on one too many bombs though and had to start from the beginning of the stage again. I didn't have to re-collect snacks, but I had to re-collect Chibi-Tots and coins.
The scenery is kind of interesting with some graves here and there in the ruins. Maybe whoever's buried here got into an accident with the bombs?
The snacks I find in this stage are the High Eight Chocolate, which looks nicely put together and the Kameda No Kakinotane, which looks like a nutty snack. I'll learn more about them later.
After the game over, I managed to collect all the items again and finish the level by hitting the silver saucer.
Happy New Year!
Today, I'll talk about visiting this level for the first time and what it's like to lose all of Chibi-Robo's battery life.
It's daytime in the forest again! This time though, it's all about exploring ruins with sensitive bomb puzzles. I messed up on one too many bombs though and had to start from the beginning of the stage again. I didn't have to re-collect snacks, but I had to re-collect Chibi-Tots and coins.
The scenery is kind of interesting with some graves here and there in the ruins. Maybe whoever's buried here got into an accident with the bombs?
The snacks I find in this stage are the High Eight Chocolate, which looks nicely put together and the Kameda No Kakinotane, which looks like a nutty snack. I'll learn more about them later.
After the game over, I managed to collect all the items again and finish the level by hitting the silver saucer.
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