FA+
Shop
"The Jet Gamer" Game Review: Super Mario Galaxy 2
9 years ago
A Wii game that isn’t from the bargain bin. Yay! XD
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Yes, for once, we are out of the bargain bin for the time being on the Wii section of reviews we have been doing this year, and this time we are back to good ole Mario himself. You expect me to do all these Wii games and not even touch Mario games at all? Well, here we are. Mario Galaxy 2, a game that I’ve been meaning to play for some time now. The price finally went down and I picked it up. Most Mario games tend to be good, but is this another in the Mario series that delivers, or is a second visit to the galaxy not as good as the first? Let us find out shall we?
Gameplay
Mario Galaxy 2 is more of the same as it was in Mario Galaxy 1, though at least with a few changes thrown into the mix as well. The way the games are the same is that the point of the game is that you have to go into a level find a star and then move onto the next star or levels until you get to the end of the world, you fight a boss, then move onto the next world. Simple yes, and it still works. I can see why they would want to continue this formula. At the same time, there isn’t too much new here either. This really is Mario Galaxy 2. It feels like it is just more of the same game and that very little was changed when you play this or the last game. That isn’t a bad thing, but I can see what some people may say when it comes to not much innovation and just repeating what worked last time. That’s exactly what we have here in terms of gameplay. It is simple Mario platforming with him jumping around, attacking enemies and trying to collect his power stars. Even many of the same power ups that were added in Galaxy 1 are still here, such as the Bee suit Mario. Though there are a few new ones mixed in with some old familiar ones, such as the Ghost Mario, spring Mario, and cloud Mario. Each one is in select levels and is useful in their own ways depending on the situation, each with their own pluses and minus’. As you can see, the gameplay may be a bit hard to describe because not only is it more of the same, it is also very simple. That’s a good thing and also the safe thing. Just don’t expect a lot of difference if you played the first game, but if you loved the first game and wanted more of it, here you go. One of the biggest changes is that Yoshi has been added to the game, so you can, in select levels find Yoshi eggs and bring Yoshi along to help you flutter higher for stars and eat enemies. There are also many fruits he eats that give him different power ups, such as the red chili like fruit that allows Yoshi to run very fast and on top of the water. There is also the fat blue fruit that inflates Yoshi like a balloon and allows you both to float to a high up area. Adding Yoshi was a good feature for sure, I just wish he was in more of the levels and not just stuck in certain ones. Luigi is also usable in the game. He is only limited at first, but as you progress further into the game, you do eventually gain access to be able to use Luigi as much as you want. The main difference between the brothers is that Luigi jumps slightly higher, but is slipperier to control. That sounds about right as it has always been, so they did a good job there. One thing I’m not too crazy about is the fact that the large open world map where you can pick levels isn’t here and instead it is a levels select map pretty much now where you progress on a grid such as in the older games like 3 and World. There is nothing wrong with this style, but I prefer you stick with open worlds. They are freer to the player. While this is partially there with the star ship you right on during the game, but you are barely on this ship at all at times, as you can simple run forward and hit the blast off button to head back to the levels once again. Also in this version, there are lots of levels, but each level only has two or three yellow stars. There are more in each level, but more on that later. I guess it is more personal preference for the player, but if you want to move quickly from many different levels types, you will enjoy this. If you preferred larger levels with many things to do on them, then games like Mario 64 will be a better fit for you. Neither of these is bad, but I’m sure some people would prefer the older style over this style. There is nothing wrong with the gameplay at all I don’t feel in this game. The only reason I think this deserves a small hit is that it is just more of the same. There is not much change. Yes, there are small changes here and there, but this is just the same game over again as last time. Not a bad thing, but it is the safe thing for sure.
Story
Ummm, you expected this to be different than any other Mario game? Yeah, guess what the story is people? Bowser has kidnapped Peach and you must collect Power stars to stop him and Bowser Jr? You don’t say? Now where have I heard of this story before? Oh right, just about every other game in the Mario series. One day I hope we can change it up in the main Mario games and actually make the story, well, have a story like Sunshine tried to do. Too bad people complained about that and they went back to the same ole story over and over again. The story still works in this day and age, but once again, I still feel they played it a little too safe in this category. You can never say this story format is bad at all. Hey, they have stuck to what they have always done and people continued to eat it up. Why not keep at it and do more of it? If you wanted something different here, you won’t be getting that at all. Be sure you enjoy more of the same story of Bowser takes the princess and you have to get her back again.
Graphics
Even though Mario games are often guilty of taking the safe route when it comes to the gameplay and story, at least Nintendo goes all out on making their games look beautiful. This game looks wonderful and really does at times make you feel like Mario really is jumping around in space, or is visiting smaller planets that remind you of games and environments of past games. Space looks wonderful, and underwater looks amazing. Yeah, you see how good I am at explaining environments when they look great and there is very little to complain about don’t you? That’s actually a very good thing. Nintendo has always been good at making sure their games look the best in their style of graphics. I know it isn’t the super realistic style that some people expect, but this style is lovely in its own unique way. Everything is believable and fits in the Mario style. There are really no graphical glitches to speed of at all, and I don’t think I saw even a bit of slowdown in this game at all. Nintendo make this game look good, and even made sure to make it as close as perfect as you can get for a game of this style. There is one thing I can be sure of when it comes to this game. If you were out looking for a good looking Nintendo game, this is a good example of what the Wii is really capable of for sure.
Sound
This is one of those games where you can actually just turn the sound track of the game on and I can see people having a good time listening to the music of this game. The sound track is great and something you would actually want to listen to as you are playing and isn’t something you just sort of pass off as background music for you to not be sitting there in silence as you are playing your game. This is one of those games where you are going to be humming along with the music and wanting to get the tracks for yourself to be able to listen to them whenever you want. There are new modern tunes that show that Mario is all about making new tunes to try to add to its repertoire. There are also plenty of remixes of old classic tunes from the original Mario and Mario 64 for you to enjoy. If you enjoy those old tunes, you won’t be left out as they are in this game and in a couple of difference places. They are all remixes, but they are close enough to where you recognize them and can tell they tried to modernize them without taking away what made people enjoy them in the first place. Not only is the music something you should write home about, all the sound effects match as well. Mario makes plenty of jumping sounds and sounds of pains when he gets hurt. These all come at the right time, and nothing ever seems out of place. The enemies that make noise make their classic noises and the levels have their normal backgrounds sounds depending on where you are. Lava levels even sound hot besides just looking it. That’s the sign of a good game, when the music can get you just as sucked into it as the gameplay game and make you want to listen to it, even when you aren’t playing the game.
Control
The controls are actually pretty solid for the most part as well. This is one of those wii games that knows to keep the motion controls to a minimum and use them when you really only need to do so. The motion controls are mainly used for collecting far away star bits, and for spinning to gain extra height or to gain extra stability. Mario has his typical repertoire of jump moves and acrobatics to be able to get around to where he needs to be in the levels. You know Mario. If he wants to get somewhere or reach some height that may look out of reach, some combination of jumps and acrobatics are likely to get him there. Mario is pretty easy to controls, but it does take some practice to get his moves down. Once you get them down though, you are likely going to have an easy time getting around. This game is easy in some areas and not so easy in some areas. This game tests your master of the controls in many situations, and it delivers. This isn’t one of those games that makes you master the controls because of how tricky they are or how bad they are, that mastering them is needed just to get anywhere in the game. You can have a basic understanding of these controls and easily play through the game. Completing the game is a different story, but you shouldn’t have any trouble here. The game takes some practice at times. Deaths are usually your fault, not the controls. Yeah, if you screw up, you did it. This isn’t one of those games where you can fuss at the controls for your mess up. You mess up, it is your fault. Yeah, I really don’t have much to complain on here, other than you do need to master them if you want everything out of this game. Other than that, they are pretty solid.
Replay Value
The replay value of this game is quite high. You know how most Mario games have 120 stars you need to find if you want to complete the game? Yeah there is no difference here. You collect all of the stars and you can get a better ending. But wait, once you get this better ending, guess what, there are a 120 more stars for you to collect. These stars, which are green, are even harder to get. Unlike in the regular game where you have to complete a mission to get the star, the green stars are hidden throughout the levels and make you hunt for them. That’s actually a neat little concept and doubles the length of the game somewhat. You think you are about done with the game, but not only did you have to get all the normal stars, which required you as well getting comet coins which spawn more yellow stars in the levels, you then have to go back to all the levels again to get the green stars to get the final extra level of the game. Wow, now that’s a reason to replay the game and to keep the player coming back again and again. Yes, some of these green stars are a bit tricky to find, but with enough searching, most of them are findable without help. The only thing I can say in replay value is that you are doing the same thing over and over again. If you can’t stand not doing a variety of different things, I can see people just wanting to complete the game by beating Bowser and then being done with the game. For those persistent enough and wanting to get everything they can out of this game, this game keeps dishing it out to the player and offering more and more in return. Yes, once you beat it all, there isn't anything else to do, but it takes a while to get to that, and if you enjoy this style of gameplay, collecting the stars all over again isn’t a boring task. Yes, you now know all the tricks to getting them, but it can fun for those that like to collect things for sure.
Overall, I would say Super Mario Galaxy 2 is another great addition to the Mario lineup and a great title to own for the Wii. It is obvious why this game was recently given Selects status on the Wii and was rereleased to get a few more of this game out there for people to play it. It is a good game and Nintendo and the fans know it. Yes, there are a few lacking things, in that the story is the same ole thing again and the game play is a bit samey at times, but other than that, you have a great overall game here I have to say. I have very little to say against this game. If you enjoy Mario games or platformers in general, then you need to go pick this up. It has a great price point right now as well, so go find you a copy and go get to collecting those stars. I believe it is worth it at least.
Overall, in my opinion at least, I give Super Mario Galaxy 2 a nine out of ten.
Gameplay: 8
Story: 7
Graphics: 10
Sound: 10
Control: 9
Replay Value: 9
Overall: 9
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Yes, for once, we are out of the bargain bin for the time being on the Wii section of reviews we have been doing this year, and this time we are back to good ole Mario himself. You expect me to do all these Wii games and not even touch Mario games at all? Well, here we are. Mario Galaxy 2, a game that I’ve been meaning to play for some time now. The price finally went down and I picked it up. Most Mario games tend to be good, but is this another in the Mario series that delivers, or is a second visit to the galaxy not as good as the first? Let us find out shall we?
Gameplay
Mario Galaxy 2 is more of the same as it was in Mario Galaxy 1, though at least with a few changes thrown into the mix as well. The way the games are the same is that the point of the game is that you have to go into a level find a star and then move onto the next star or levels until you get to the end of the world, you fight a boss, then move onto the next world. Simple yes, and it still works. I can see why they would want to continue this formula. At the same time, there isn’t too much new here either. This really is Mario Galaxy 2. It feels like it is just more of the same game and that very little was changed when you play this or the last game. That isn’t a bad thing, but I can see what some people may say when it comes to not much innovation and just repeating what worked last time. That’s exactly what we have here in terms of gameplay. It is simple Mario platforming with him jumping around, attacking enemies and trying to collect his power stars. Even many of the same power ups that were added in Galaxy 1 are still here, such as the Bee suit Mario. Though there are a few new ones mixed in with some old familiar ones, such as the Ghost Mario, spring Mario, and cloud Mario. Each one is in select levels and is useful in their own ways depending on the situation, each with their own pluses and minus’. As you can see, the gameplay may be a bit hard to describe because not only is it more of the same, it is also very simple. That’s a good thing and also the safe thing. Just don’t expect a lot of difference if you played the first game, but if you loved the first game and wanted more of it, here you go. One of the biggest changes is that Yoshi has been added to the game, so you can, in select levels find Yoshi eggs and bring Yoshi along to help you flutter higher for stars and eat enemies. There are also many fruits he eats that give him different power ups, such as the red chili like fruit that allows Yoshi to run very fast and on top of the water. There is also the fat blue fruit that inflates Yoshi like a balloon and allows you both to float to a high up area. Adding Yoshi was a good feature for sure, I just wish he was in more of the levels and not just stuck in certain ones. Luigi is also usable in the game. He is only limited at first, but as you progress further into the game, you do eventually gain access to be able to use Luigi as much as you want. The main difference between the brothers is that Luigi jumps slightly higher, but is slipperier to control. That sounds about right as it has always been, so they did a good job there. One thing I’m not too crazy about is the fact that the large open world map where you can pick levels isn’t here and instead it is a levels select map pretty much now where you progress on a grid such as in the older games like 3 and World. There is nothing wrong with this style, but I prefer you stick with open worlds. They are freer to the player. While this is partially there with the star ship you right on during the game, but you are barely on this ship at all at times, as you can simple run forward and hit the blast off button to head back to the levels once again. Also in this version, there are lots of levels, but each level only has two or three yellow stars. There are more in each level, but more on that later. I guess it is more personal preference for the player, but if you want to move quickly from many different levels types, you will enjoy this. If you preferred larger levels with many things to do on them, then games like Mario 64 will be a better fit for you. Neither of these is bad, but I’m sure some people would prefer the older style over this style. There is nothing wrong with the gameplay at all I don’t feel in this game. The only reason I think this deserves a small hit is that it is just more of the same. There is not much change. Yes, there are small changes here and there, but this is just the same game over again as last time. Not a bad thing, but it is the safe thing for sure.
Story
Ummm, you expected this to be different than any other Mario game? Yeah, guess what the story is people? Bowser has kidnapped Peach and you must collect Power stars to stop him and Bowser Jr? You don’t say? Now where have I heard of this story before? Oh right, just about every other game in the Mario series. One day I hope we can change it up in the main Mario games and actually make the story, well, have a story like Sunshine tried to do. Too bad people complained about that and they went back to the same ole story over and over again. The story still works in this day and age, but once again, I still feel they played it a little too safe in this category. You can never say this story format is bad at all. Hey, they have stuck to what they have always done and people continued to eat it up. Why not keep at it and do more of it? If you wanted something different here, you won’t be getting that at all. Be sure you enjoy more of the same story of Bowser takes the princess and you have to get her back again.
Graphics
Even though Mario games are often guilty of taking the safe route when it comes to the gameplay and story, at least Nintendo goes all out on making their games look beautiful. This game looks wonderful and really does at times make you feel like Mario really is jumping around in space, or is visiting smaller planets that remind you of games and environments of past games. Space looks wonderful, and underwater looks amazing. Yeah, you see how good I am at explaining environments when they look great and there is very little to complain about don’t you? That’s actually a very good thing. Nintendo has always been good at making sure their games look the best in their style of graphics. I know it isn’t the super realistic style that some people expect, but this style is lovely in its own unique way. Everything is believable and fits in the Mario style. There are really no graphical glitches to speed of at all, and I don’t think I saw even a bit of slowdown in this game at all. Nintendo make this game look good, and even made sure to make it as close as perfect as you can get for a game of this style. There is one thing I can be sure of when it comes to this game. If you were out looking for a good looking Nintendo game, this is a good example of what the Wii is really capable of for sure.
Sound
This is one of those games where you can actually just turn the sound track of the game on and I can see people having a good time listening to the music of this game. The sound track is great and something you would actually want to listen to as you are playing and isn’t something you just sort of pass off as background music for you to not be sitting there in silence as you are playing your game. This is one of those games where you are going to be humming along with the music and wanting to get the tracks for yourself to be able to listen to them whenever you want. There are new modern tunes that show that Mario is all about making new tunes to try to add to its repertoire. There are also plenty of remixes of old classic tunes from the original Mario and Mario 64 for you to enjoy. If you enjoy those old tunes, you won’t be left out as they are in this game and in a couple of difference places. They are all remixes, but they are close enough to where you recognize them and can tell they tried to modernize them without taking away what made people enjoy them in the first place. Not only is the music something you should write home about, all the sound effects match as well. Mario makes plenty of jumping sounds and sounds of pains when he gets hurt. These all come at the right time, and nothing ever seems out of place. The enemies that make noise make their classic noises and the levels have their normal backgrounds sounds depending on where you are. Lava levels even sound hot besides just looking it. That’s the sign of a good game, when the music can get you just as sucked into it as the gameplay game and make you want to listen to it, even when you aren’t playing the game.
Control
The controls are actually pretty solid for the most part as well. This is one of those wii games that knows to keep the motion controls to a minimum and use them when you really only need to do so. The motion controls are mainly used for collecting far away star bits, and for spinning to gain extra height or to gain extra stability. Mario has his typical repertoire of jump moves and acrobatics to be able to get around to where he needs to be in the levels. You know Mario. If he wants to get somewhere or reach some height that may look out of reach, some combination of jumps and acrobatics are likely to get him there. Mario is pretty easy to controls, but it does take some practice to get his moves down. Once you get them down though, you are likely going to have an easy time getting around. This game is easy in some areas and not so easy in some areas. This game tests your master of the controls in many situations, and it delivers. This isn’t one of those games that makes you master the controls because of how tricky they are or how bad they are, that mastering them is needed just to get anywhere in the game. You can have a basic understanding of these controls and easily play through the game. Completing the game is a different story, but you shouldn’t have any trouble here. The game takes some practice at times. Deaths are usually your fault, not the controls. Yeah, if you screw up, you did it. This isn’t one of those games where you can fuss at the controls for your mess up. You mess up, it is your fault. Yeah, I really don’t have much to complain on here, other than you do need to master them if you want everything out of this game. Other than that, they are pretty solid.
Replay Value
The replay value of this game is quite high. You know how most Mario games have 120 stars you need to find if you want to complete the game? Yeah there is no difference here. You collect all of the stars and you can get a better ending. But wait, once you get this better ending, guess what, there are a 120 more stars for you to collect. These stars, which are green, are even harder to get. Unlike in the regular game where you have to complete a mission to get the star, the green stars are hidden throughout the levels and make you hunt for them. That’s actually a neat little concept and doubles the length of the game somewhat. You think you are about done with the game, but not only did you have to get all the normal stars, which required you as well getting comet coins which spawn more yellow stars in the levels, you then have to go back to all the levels again to get the green stars to get the final extra level of the game. Wow, now that’s a reason to replay the game and to keep the player coming back again and again. Yes, some of these green stars are a bit tricky to find, but with enough searching, most of them are findable without help. The only thing I can say in replay value is that you are doing the same thing over and over again. If you can’t stand not doing a variety of different things, I can see people just wanting to complete the game by beating Bowser and then being done with the game. For those persistent enough and wanting to get everything they can out of this game, this game keeps dishing it out to the player and offering more and more in return. Yes, once you beat it all, there isn't anything else to do, but it takes a while to get to that, and if you enjoy this style of gameplay, collecting the stars all over again isn’t a boring task. Yes, you now know all the tricks to getting them, but it can fun for those that like to collect things for sure.
Overall, I would say Super Mario Galaxy 2 is another great addition to the Mario lineup and a great title to own for the Wii. It is obvious why this game was recently given Selects status on the Wii and was rereleased to get a few more of this game out there for people to play it. It is a good game and Nintendo and the fans know it. Yes, there are a few lacking things, in that the story is the same ole thing again and the game play is a bit samey at times, but other than that, you have a great overall game here I have to say. I have very little to say against this game. If you enjoy Mario games or platformers in general, then you need to go pick this up. It has a great price point right now as well, so go find you a copy and go get to collecting those stars. I believe it is worth it at least.
Overall, in my opinion at least, I give Super Mario Galaxy 2 a nine out of ten.
Gameplay: 8
Story: 7
Graphics: 10
Sound: 10
Control: 9
Replay Value: 9
Overall: 9
