Summary
Mario & Luigi: Brothershipwill see the return of a belovedNintendofranchise, but it may need to be a new test run for the series' gameplay. As the first wholly new story for the series in nearly a decade,Mario & Luigi: Brothershipwill have the important role of kick-starting a franchise that had been dormant for quite some time. Not only that, it also has a serious legacy to live up to thanks to the quality of previousMario & Luigigames. Before anything else,Mario & Luigi: Brothershipwill need to recapture the series' spirit.
After the closure ofMario & Luigideveloper AlphaDream, the series seemed to be in limbo. While it starred two of Nintendo’s most famous faces, losing its developer made it unclear if there would be any more games in the series. The low sales of 2018’sBowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey, a remake of the 2009 game with a new side campaign attached, raised particular questions about the series' future. Despite all of that uncertainty, the announcement ofMario & Luigi: Brothershipshowed that Nintendo hasn’t given up on the series. At the same time, that puts the game in a pivotal position.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership Is Tasked With Bringing Back the Classic RPG Franchise
The Mario & Luigi Games Were Solid, Quirky RPGs
Mario & Luigias a seriesfollows the spirit ofSuper Mario RPG. It’s one of multiple RPG-basedMariospin-offs, and it had a definite niche. While games such asSuper Mario RPGandPaper Mariohad Mario collect a host of allies, theMario & Luigigames, as the name implies, were all about the brothers going on an adventure together. They even teamed up in most of their special attacks. This, combined with the series' sense of humor, proved to be a winning formula for several games.Mario & Luigi: Brothershipis now tasked with matching the quality of previous games.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership Shouldn’t Stray Far From Series Tradition
Mario & Luigi: Brothershipshouldn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Theaction command-themed gameplaySuper Mario RPGstartedhas been successful forMario & Luigi, and it’s an obvious style to return to. SinceBrothershipis bringing the series back from hiatus, it would be good for it to reintroduce players to the same gameplay that it previously thrived on. Because the game is in the hands of a new developer, there will be a lot of pressure to recapture what made the series special. Before anything else,Brothershipwill need to be a goodMario & Luigigame.
Brothership Should Play to Mario & Luigi’s Strengths
That’s not to say that the developers can’t innovate at all. There’s plenty of room forMario & Luigi: Brothership’s featuresto add something new and exciting. When it comes to the core of the game though, it would make the most sense to stick to series traditions.Brothershipcan work with those traditions and branch off of them in order to make something unique, like adding Bros attacks with new gimmicks, or platforming challenges for Mario and Luigi to face. Rather than remaking theMario & Luigiformula,Brothershipcan make it better than ever.
SinceBrotherhoodis bringing the series back from hiatus, it would be good for it to reintroduce players to the same gameplay that it previously thrived on.
AlphaDream may not be at the helm, butMario & Luigi: Brothershipcan still deliver exactly what fans need. While being abig step forward forMario & Luigiwould be a feather inBrothership’s cap, it also must remind players of what aMario & Luigigame is. The solid turn-based battles and silly sense of humor helped to elevate theMario & Luigigames, and the new game should keep building upon them.Mario & Luigi: Brothershipcould very well begin a renaissance for the series.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership
WHERE TO PLAY
All hands on deck for an island-hopping adventure starring Mario and LuigiThe brothers return for a brand-new adventure on the high seas! Set sail with Mario and Luigi on Shipshape Island (part ship, part island) and journey through the vast world of Concordia. Launch out of Shipshape’s cannon to visit, explore, and quest your way through islands that range from tropical rainforests to bustling cities. Meet new friends along the way, like Connie and Snoutlet (definitely not a pig), and encounter familiar faces from the Mushroom Kingdom like Peach and Bowser, who may help—or hinder—you on your journey!You’ll have to rely on Mario and Luigi’s brotherly bond to succeed. Use Bros. Moves to get past obstacles while you explore, and powerful Bros. Attacks in a dynamic twist on turn-based combat. You’ll need every edge this “brothership” will give you to save the day!
