MFGG - Mario Fan Games Galaxy

Review Information

Game Reviewed	Paper Bowser World: Operation G.R.O.M., by toodles_team
Review Author	Joey Apples
Created	Jul 27 2009, 8:55 AM

General Commentary and Game Overview

The follow-up to one of the most well-made and charming games on MFGG, Paper Bowser World: Operation G.R.O.M. must try to stand on its own two feet in the overwhelming shadow of its predecessor. Does it succeed?

Pros	This game is hysterical. Toodles Team has proven himself to be one of the more talented writers on this site, and I'm pleased to say that the script for this game goes above and beyond its predecessor's hilarity. Classic PBW gameplay featuring new play mechanics, such as the Rancid Meat? Count me in!
Cons	I'm not so sure about these switch and block puzzles... :(

Impressions

Gameplay 7 / 10	For the most part, PBW2 excels in the same areas the original did. An incredibly strong script, an interesting story, and lovable characters provide an incentive to keep going. The play mechanics, which include everything from the original (fire-breathing fun returns) joined with some interesting new ones (Mini-Bowser, who undergoes this transformation when he gobbles Rancid Meat) provide freshness that gives plenty of reasons to play this game even if you've played the original. I'm not thrilled with all the design decisions Toodles made, however; after a few too many mildly clever switch and block puzzles, the charm of the game begins to show some wear-and-tear, especially when it throws the pacing of the later levels into a slow tedium. That said, there's still plenty of incentive to keep playing, just not as much as I would have hoped from a PBW game.
Graphics 8 / 10	Any game that features decent custom graphics deserves a high score in this category for the extra effort; and at least initially, PBW2's effects and sprites are very impressive. For some reason, later levels are a little displeasing to the eye due to some odd sprite clashing and lazy gradient shading. It's hard to nitpick custom graphics in cases like this, because they obviously took more than their share of effort to create, but the inconsistency takes the score down just a smidgeon.
Sound 8 / 10	Paper Mario music. To be honest, I can't really complain, since the game's primary title is Paper Bowser World. Really, what else would you expect? The sound in this game is particularly well-done; there's a sound effect for nearly every on-screen event in the game, making it all that more engaging to the player.
Replay 3 / 10	Unfortunately, as with the first Paper Bowser World, there just isn't any coming back to this game unless you haven't played it in a while. The charm can only last so long, after all.

Final Words

As a game on its own, Paper Bowser World: Operation G.R.O.M. delivers fun platforming mechanics and a sensationally funny script. Unfortunately, there's really no avoiding comparisons to the first game, and in that area, this sequel comes off as a tiny bit of a letdown.

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