Paper Mario 2...

[BDGE]

I figured I'd create a dedicated outside of the 'other one' seeing as how I don't expect much game discussion to ensue over there.

Anywhoo I snagged this game up right tonight and have put a few hours in already. I'm very impressed thus far.

This game fixes a lot of my personal complaints with PM1(which I finally polished off after a 3 year hiatus earlier in April). For one, combat takes the initiative to offer more than mere button timing exchanges by adding alternate defensive risks with 'super-guarding' and the total wild-card that is the audience(very cool addition). Enemies also often enter the fray equipped with some dangerous items(which you can see) that can really shred down your HP or heal themselves in later rounds if you don't dispatch them early in the fight.

Plus a lot of weird random shit tends to happen, I killed off a set of koopas and as I sat waiting for the xp to get credited, the background scenery suddenly fell over and did a bit of damage to my party post-battle. Dunno how that occurred(audience?)

Beyond that, the whole presentation, while still suitably "MARIO!" themed, is FAR less fisher-price than in 2001. This is easilly punctuated by the music which is livelier and far more festive than the lullaby-esque themes generated in the N64 game. The settings, conversations, and presentation as a whole is much zanier than its forebear, mostly helpful how you aren't bogged down too much with dialogue talking about stars, sprites, and pastel-colored hooey as in part 1 either, a very effective change in my book.

The dungeons and battle maps (which I tend to have liked in PM1) are even more wild and creative in this game thanks to a slew of new concepts for traipsing around. There has been a continuous assault of weird stuff to see and do within them, the paper airplane stuff and extreme background platforming being some of my favorite examples thus far.

I particularly got a kick out of a certain NPC quoting how Fire Emblem "Rocks his socks!", and an early major boss in the game also happens to be a boss ripped directly from Wind Waker. Those foppish pineapple people in Mario Sunshine? They are now hired muscle for a supposed crimelord. (Seen victimizing a couple koopas with unsavory force directly in the background of an early cutscene)

Bottom-line, the game is giving off a good vibe.

[Theodore Rex DX]

Not on topic, but does it drive anybody else absolutely crazy when people finish off posts or topic headers with the 'to be continued' dots? Because it drives me absolutely crazy.

[Dave Long]

I'm not sure what you mean...

--Dave

[BDGE]

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/screenshots/3/197343/ff8_screen264.jpg

[Theodore Rex DX]

You people are absolute cunts.

[Dave Long]

And it's just what keeps you coming back... isn't it? :wink:

--Dave

[MattKeil]

I don't really mind the ellipses.

Unless...

[farley2k]

Not on topic, but does it drive anybody else absolutely crazy when people finish off posts or topic headers with the 'to be continued' dots? Because it drives me absolutely crazy.

And you point is...


:lol:

[quatoria]

Thinking...

[Gary Whitta]

I just started playing last night and at first glance it definitely has that Tomy Toys "My First RPG" feel to it, but that actually works for me as I'm just discovering the joys of role-playing relatively late in life and so anything that's not too hard-core works well for me.

Plus, it is totally adorable (and I mean that in a completely straight way, honest) and I like how the turn-based battles have a really tactile feel to them.

[Morn]

Thinking...
Stop it!

[DanielElliot]

How's this compare to Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga and Mario RPG? Never played Paper Mario 1, but this has me wanting to dig my Cube out of the closet, dust it off, and find a place to hook it up.

[DeathMonkey]

How's this compare to Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga and Mario RPG?

Much better, I'd say. Better writing, better combat, better presentation.

-Scott-

[DanielElliot]

Better writing than M&L Superstar etc. etc.? Wow, I'll definitely gamefly this.

[runesword forger]

My son has a subscription to Nintendo Power & I browse them. A recent issue had an interview with the writer for the English version of Paper Mario 2.

The guy sounded like he really had a good handle on how to get some zany fun out of the Mushroom kingdom crew. And Nintendo apparently puts a lot of work into localizations.

[Gary Whitta]

This just in!

Paper Mario = brilliant

[DeathMonkey]

This just in!

Paper Mario = brilliant

True! I just beat the first boss; I haven't laughed this hard since, um, Katamari Damacy?

-Scott-

[Gary Whitta]

This just in!

Paper Mario = brilliant

True! I just beat the first boss; I haven't laughed this hard since, um, Katamari Damacy?

-Scott-
Do you mean the game-show sequence? That bit was frickin' awesome.

[DeathMonkey]

Do you mean the game-show sequence? That bit was frickin' awesome.

The gameshow sequence was awesome, but the second half of that chapter is even better. Enjoy! ;)

-Scott-

[Gary Whitta]

Just defeated the first boss. Great, great fun!

[Theodore Rex DX]

It's coming out here very soon. Very prompt PAL release. I'm impressed.

[Jason McMaster]

The first boss is pretty awesome.

[Gaming-Module]

This game makes my pants feel funny.

[Gary Whitta]

ugh... can anyone who's ahead of me help out? I'm totally stuck... I've rescued all 101 punis and defeated the jabbis, but now I have to get them to the scale-like device that you have to put all 101 punis on and even though I've been there before I've gotten totally lost and can't find it again.

Little help?

[DeathMonkey]

Little help?

I perused that problem in GameFaqs for you and found no definitive answer. I thought of loading my game up and trying to figure my way down there, then I remembered that I completely hated that level and I don't want to do it again. All I remember is going down a lot. Yeah, big help I know.

I got lost all the time in that tree and the non-stop backtracking had me cursing. Fortunately the game returns to a brisk pace after the chapter's over.

-Scott-

[Gary Whitta]

Little help?

I perused that problem in GameFaqs for you and found no definitive answer. I remember going down a lot. Yeah, big help I know.

I got lost all the time in that level and the amount of backtracking had me cursing. Fortunately the game gets back to a brisk pace soon after.

-Scott-
Ugh... I might have to get the official guide for a map or something. The only FAQ on gamefaqs right now is a japanese one, which is tricky to navigate because almost everything was renamed for the American version.

[DeathMonkey]

Ugh... I might have to get the official guide for a map or something. The only FAQ on gamefaqs right now is a japanese one, which is tricky to navigate because almost everything was renamed for the American version.

If you are not too proud, you can call the Nintendo hint line. Yeah, it is archaic and expensive, but it will tell you what you need to know and it'll be cheaper than the hint guide. I used it for Pikmin 2 to figure out how to round up 100 purple pikmin the fastest and they told me the best way.

I love the in-game hint system, but it just doesn't work when it comes to "how do I get from here to there?"

Feel free to message me if you have any other problems. There are some poorly designed puzzles in the game that seem to have arbitrary solutions.

-Scott-

[Funkman]

I'm enjoying the game a good deal too but am also stuck. I'm at the part right near the beginning of Chapter 2 when the west section of Rogueport is opened up. I've dropped down into the sewer below through the grate and have gone every which way down there and can't figure out what to do and where to go.

[Gary Whitta]

There's a functional walkthrough on www.gamefaqs.com that helped me when I was stuck there, too. Check it out.

[Funkman]

Yeah.. I had quickly scanned that FAQ before and noticed it was pretty shitty. But I managed to figure it out and am now soaking in the interesting sites of the Boggly Forest.

[Gary Whitta]

Finally beat the second boss! Two crystal stars and counting...

This is a shoe-in for my Top 5 of 2004.

[LionelThompson]

Just defeated the first boss. Great, great fun!

I was already impressed with how the game reminds you that it is made of paper (when the stairs flip or when bridges appear out of nowhere), but I was amazed with the design style for the first boss. It looked like something that could be made out of a few sheets of construction paper, right down to the springy bits that you can create with the flat edge of scissors.

I may have to go replay it and try that at some point. Absolutely gorgeous!

[Gary Whitta]

The third star is the most fun to get, at least so far...

[LionelThompson]

I guess I'm just a step behind you Gary as I just beat the second boss. The one thing that kicked my ass through chapter two is that one little 'random' mob guy that can NOT be killed. It meant I had to keep running from battles (while I tried to solve the airplane puzzle) and all of my coins went 'poof'. I wasn't rich anyway, but I had just completed two trouble board missions so that was 40 coins at least that were gone.

Still, from an artistic standpoint, I loved their use of color through that world.

[runesword forger]

I'm trying to decide between Paper Mario 2 and Pikmin 2. I'll probably end up with both of them eventually, but it's a tough choice. I liked the demo's a lot, though Pikmin's was on the simplistic side -- understandable for a strategy game.

My son is interested in PM2, but he doesn't like pure turn based battling much. PM2 has a weird hybrid sort of combat engine, so I'm not sure if he'd go for it or not.

[Kevin Grey]

I guess I'm just a step behind you Gary as I just beat the second boss. The one thing that kicked my ass through chapter two is that one little 'random' mob guy that can NOT be killed. It meant I had to keep running from battles (while I tried to solve the airplane puzzle) and all of my coins went 'poof'. I wasn't rich anyway, but I had just completed two trouble board missions so that was 40 coins at least that were gone.

Still, from an artistic standpoint, I loved their use of color through that world.

Guy that can't be killed? I just got Flurrie in my party and I haven't encountered anyone who can't be killed. Are they unique to the second part of the level?

[LionelThompson]

Guy that can't be killed? I just got Flurrie in my party and I haven't encountered anyone who can't be killed. Are they unique to the second part of the level?

Maybe I just suck, but those little stoney guys that hung out with the clouds I could not kill. I am sure I missed something, but I thought trying it with the hammer and the jumping produced failed results. That, and Goombella said something about it is usually best just to run away when I had her 'tattle' on them.

[Kevin Grey]

Guy that can't be killed? I just got Flurrie in my party and I haven't encountered anyone who can't be killed. Are they unique to the second part of the level?

Maybe I just suck, but those little stoney guys that hung out with the clouds I could not kill. I am sure I missed something, but I thought trying it with the hammer and the jumping produced failed results. That, and Goombella said something about it is usually best just to run away when I had her 'tattle' on them.

Koops' standard shell attack is powerful enough to kill them. They have a defense rating of 2, I believe, and his shell attack has an attack value of 3 so he does 1 point of damage on them.

Mario can take them if you use the Power Hammer badge (or whatever its called).

[DeathMonkey]

I'm trying to decide between Paper Mario 2 and Pikmin 2. I'll probably end up with both of them eventually, but it's a tough choice. I liked the demo's a lot, though Pikmin's was on the simplistic side -- understandable for a strategy game.

Pikmin 2 does start out slowly and very simple, but it has a lot of depth there, especially in the later dungeons. If given the choice between the two, I'd get Pikmin 2 because there's a lot more game (and less filler) there.

-Scott-

[Kevin Grey]

I'm trying to decide between Paper Mario 2 and Pikmin 2. I'll probably end up with both of them eventually, but it's a tough choice. I liked the demo's a lot, though Pikmin's was on the simplistic side -- understandable for a strategy game.

Pikmin 2 does start out slowly and very simple, but it has a lot of depth there, especially in the later dungeons. If given the choice between the two, I'd get Pikmin 2 because there's a lot more game (and less filler) there.

-Scott-

Can't really comment on the "filler" part but aren't Paper Mario and Pikmin 2 comparible in terms of length- I think each is supposed to be about 30 hours or so.

[DeathMonkey]

Can't really comment on the "filler" part but aren't Paper Mario and Pikmin 2 comparible in terms of length- I think each is supposed to be about 30 hours or so.

My biggest complaint about Paper Mario 2 is there's a great deal of backtracking, going back and forth over the same area on errands. There's often no new content with each trip, so it gets kind of dull. The original Paper Mario didn't have this, so I think it was introduced to extend the length of the game without adding an equal amount of content.

I love walking around an area in Paper Mario 2 the first few times, but after the fourth errand it gets a bit old.

-Scott-

[Kevin Grey]

It hasn't bothered me yet (Just finished Chapter 2) but I did read that comment in some reviews, particularly about the beginning of Chapter 6. Most of the backtracking I've encountered so far is with the optional sidequests.

Its an interesting complaint to an extent because backtracking is a pretty fundamental part of many RPGs.

[DeathMonkey]

Its an interesting complaint to an extent because backtracking is a pretty fundamental part of many RPGs.

Well, I tend not to like RPGs much because the "gameplay elements introduced" to "time spent playing" ratio is often quite low compared to other genres. I get a big kick out of learning cool new ways to express myself in the game, or ways to think of things. RPGs tend to have a nice first 5 hours, then more of the same for the next 30+. (But with different colored monsters!)

The original Paper Mario had a great number of cool ideas that revealed themselves at a brisk pace; that's why I was looking forward to it so much. PM2 is far better than most, but I'm sad to see the inclusion of (what I consider) filler material.

-Scott-

[Gaming-Module]

If you're having troubles with the spikey stone guys you should consider doing a B counter. The timing is easy and you inflict 1 damage each time they attack. They only have 2 HP so after two rounds the spikey's should be toast.

I'm on chapter 3 and the hardest enemy to counter so far are the pirahna plants. If anyone has any advice on when to counter them I'd appreciate it.

[DeathMonkey]

I'm on chapter 3 and the hardest enemy to counter so far are the pirahna plants. If anyone has any advice on when to counter them I'd appreciate it.

The Koopa's ground attack is useful against those guys.

The way I got around nearly everything is by upgrading my badges 4/5ths of the time. There are some insanely powerful badges that more than make up for not having high HP/FP, the main being the extra damage on the basic attacks. (I forget the badge name, but I think you can get them for 15 star shards from the badge store.) They cost 6 bp to equip, but they're more useful than any other badge in the game.

-Scott-

[Kevin Grey]

Well, I tend not to like RPGs much because the "gameplay elements introduced" to "time spent playing" ratio is often quite low compared to other genres. I get a big kick out of learning cool new ways to express myself in the game, or ways to think of things. RPGs tend to have a nice first 5 hours, then more of the same for the next 30+. (But with different colored monsters!)


I haven't played the first PM, but I'm very happy with the rate that PM2 doles out new moves, badges, etc. In that respect it seems much closer to a Zelda or Metroid style game where you are constantly getting access to new areas that were inaccessible when you first passed through.

[Kevin Grey]

I'm on chapter 3 and the hardest enemy to counter so far are the pirahna plants. If anyone has any advice on when to counter them I'd appreciate it.

I also find them difficult to counter but generally *right* after they pop up next to you.

[Funkman]

I took on one of the trouble center missions but I have to ask if I missed something somewhere because I really have no idea where the badge store is. Can anyone give me some direction?

[DeathMonkey]

I took on one of the trouble center missions but I have to ask if I missed something somewhere because I really have no idea where the badge store is. Can anyone give me some direction?

The badge store is in front to the right of the fortune teller in the underground area of Rogueport. Badges cost star pieces instead of coins.

-Scott-

[Traumahound]

The badge store is in front to the right of the fortune teller in the underground area of Rogueport. Badges cost star pieces instead of coins.

-Scott-

That's the "special" badge store. There's also a normal badge store above the shop in RoguePort (go in the inn, up to the second floor, and out the door on the right hand side of the screen.)

I think that's the one Funkman is looking for since he's asking about a trouble center mission.

[Kevin Grey]

That's the "special" badge store. There's also a normal badge store above the shop in RoguePort (go in the inn, up to the second floor, and out the door on the right hand side of the screen.)

I think that's the one Funkman is looking for since he's asking about a trouble center mission.

Yeah that one gave me fits as well.

[Funkman]

Thanks for the info. I now remember going up there at least once but it completely slipped my mind until you mentioned its location.

Anyhoo, havent played the game for a day or two, Im on the part where you have to find the Pianta people that eloped. Is it just me or is the whole idea of having those Delfino guys being mobsters hilarious?

[Kevin Grey]

Anyone have any tips for using Mario's Super Hammer move in combat (the one that is supposed to knock an enemy into the enemy behind it)? I hold the analog stick to the left until the last bar fills but whenever Mario swings he completely misses.