Poll of the Day > I was disappointed in the Paper Mario trailer. I've started replaying TTYD.

(+) Yeah! (+)

And in doing that, I've realized something.

It's not as good as I remembered, or as everybody claims it is.

It's got a LOT of backtracking. Each chapter gets worse in this regard. Chapter 4 was borderline unplayable with how many times you have to cross the Twilight Trail, back and forth. Chapter 5 has required me to travel back and forth through the Keelhaul jungle like 4 times already.

The combat is the game's strongest attribute. I can see why the fanbase (and myself) want a return to this type of combat so badly, the rest of the game is incredibly lacking. It's apparent that Origami King won't have this type of combat system, but there isn't much reason why the series can't redeem itself without it. We'll have to wait and see.

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I'm playing it for the first time and was having a lot of fun with it until the Chapter 3 tournament. I just finished Chapter 6 and that was just pure tedium going back and forth through the train for a couple hours just talking to the same half dozen people over and over again.
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Blaqthourne posted...

I'm playing it for the first time and was having a lot of fun with it until the Chapter 3 tournament. I just finished Chapter 6 and that was just pure tedium going back and forth through the train for a couple hours just talking to the same half dozen people over and over again.

Chapter 3 is actually my favourite part. Very repetitive though.

Chapter 2 is immensely boring. Chapter 1 is decent but bland.

I think TTYD somehow obtained mythical status, likely because of how much Super Paper Mario changed things. In replaying this, I'm not understanding what makes people think this game is so special, and has grounded my expectations for Origami King.

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I replayed it like... last year, and it's still incredible and tons of fun

Sorry your tastes changed!

faramir77 posted...

I think TTYD somehow obtained mythical status, likely because of how much Super Paper Mario changed things.

I've always believed much of the hate for Super Paper Mario was just because it was different. It's by no means a perfect game, but it was very enjoyable and had a good story.

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I replayed it a few years ago and it's still one of my favorite games. I understand why the backtracking is off putting but I like to 100% clear games often which usually involves a lot of backtracking so it doesn't bother me as much. The music, visuals, gameplay, characters, etc. all hold up very well

Chapter 7 was obnoxious though, no debate there.

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I just finished Chapter 5.

Princess Peach getting naked is probably why this game is so well loved.

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I'm nearing the end of Chapter 7.

I just lost to Crump. The stage fog blaster things randomly decided to freeze me, and then he used the ruthless "audience machine gun" move twice while I was immobilized. I was one turn away from beating him and I had nearly full HP before this.

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I beat it a few days ago.

The Shadow Palace is very long, but not as bad as I remembered. I swear I levelled up like 5 times going through it, though. The game just throws battles at you, all with high returns on star points.

The final boss wasn't as hard as I remembered, either. I had to use an Ultra Shroom, and I also used a Jammin Jelly (it only shaved off one or two turns though, I would have managed without it). I have like 3 Ultra Shrooms and Jammin Jellies left though, lol. I stockpiled them the whole game because I know just how awful it is to sit through the cutscenes in the final boss fight more than once.

I've started Paper Mario 64. I've finished the first chapter. I like the art style and atmosphere of this one much more. Mario looks more like he was drawn on paper, this look is way better. I am missing the audience feature and the ability to parry, though.

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While it does have a lot of backtracking, it's not nearly as bad as DK64, which was the epitome of pointless backtracking.

Quatrerwin posted...

While it does have a lot of backtracking, it's not nearly as bad as DK64, which was the epitome of pointless backtracking.

I don't remember that at all. I feel like DK64 has probably aged very poorly though.

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faramir77 posted...

I don't remember that at all. I feel like DK64 has probably aged very poorly though.

Backtracking is literally the core mechanic of the game. You play the same level multiple times, backtracking to the tag barrel to change Kongs to backtrack back to the the same part of the level that you could see a slightly transparent item that you could have easily gotten, but you weren't using the right Kong to get. Also, pulling that lever so many times to try to beat the arcade/NES version of Donkey Kong...

I may have a bit of a bias in favor of TTYD since it was the first Paper Mario I beat as a kid/teen, but I loved the combat mechanics and story enough to forgive the flaws that it had.

faramir77 posted...

I've started Paper Mario 64.

That's the only one I've never had a chance to play.
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I actually prefer Paper Mario 64 over The Thousand Year Door.

The paper aspect was limited to only the characters being 2D sprites, which means no overusage of paper puns which I dislike in the latest games.
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