LogFAQs > #934929145

#24. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars


This was my very first RPG, and I imagine Im not alone on that one. Ive always been a big Mario fan (Super Mario Bros. was my first video game), so when I saw all the previews for this game, I was interested, even though I didnt totally understand what it was all about. Thankfully, Super Mario RPG is perfectly suited to be a first RPG. The gameplay is simple but engaging. I dont know why more RPGs dont implement timed hits because its a brilliant concept. It ensures youll never get bored fighting random battles because youre always trying to make sure you land the perfect hit, as well as trying to defend against enemy attacks to avoid damage. The weapons and the special moves all have their own unique animations and timing for extra damage, so its fun to learn them and use them all. There are also some fun and addicting mini-games that are easy to learn and dont require a lot of time investment. I spent so much time doing the Yoshi races. The game doesnt overwhelm you with secrets, sidequests, and collectibles, but theres enough there to satiate your curiosity if youre willing to look for them.

Super Mario RPG keeps everything pretty basic when it comes to character building: You only have 5 total party members; levels cap at 30; weapons, armor, and accessories are pretty straightforward; you learn new special moves via leveling up; and you can choose one stat to give a bonus to each time you level up. Its easy to get good at the game, and theres nothing too powerful for you to overcome with the right setup and practice. Speaking from personal experience here, Ive completed all the sidequests and beaten all the optional bosses, including Culetx t, and I dont consider myself an RPG completionist by any means! I very rarely beat any games superboss. Its just a really good entry point for beginners to the genre.

But the real charm of Super Mario RPG is found in its characters. I had never played a game with so much personality before, especially in a Mario game, where the hero is usually silent and the villain usually possesses generic motivations. Even the random NPCs you encounter from town to town are funny and memorable. Of course, Super Mario RPGs greatest achievement is the creation of RPG Bowser, who actually becomes your reluctant ally this time around to take down this games antagonist, Smithy. One of my favorite items in the game is the Hurly Glove, where Bowser literally throws Mario at enemies. Speaking of Mario, despite being a silent protagonist, he still manages to show plenty of personality. I love it when he reenacts events in order to explain them to other characters, literally transforming into the people hes talking about at times. Many of the games villains are fun, too, like the Axem Rangers, Booster, Jonathan Jones, and Croco.

To wrap things up, I remember people being surprised by Super Mario RPGs strength in the original Games Contest (Street Fighter II LOST?! was one of the original contest running jokes), but I picked it to win that match without thinking. I mean, its a Mario game made by Square on the Super Nintendo. What more do you need to be a really popular game? I was really happy to see it make a deep run in the 2015 Games Contest as well. It was one of the bright spots in a contest that was largely infected and affected by outside rallies.

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