MFGG - Mario Fan Games Galaxy

Review Information

Game Reviewed	Toadette Strikes (Toad Strikes Back 2), by Thunder Dragon
Review Author	Mariotroid
Created	Aug 16 2015, 1:37 AM

General Commentary and Game Overview

Toadette Strikes is an absolutely amazingly well developed fangame. Playing this game, you will feel the love and care poured into this diamond. I played this game non-stop for a whole day, dying many times but kept on trucking nonetheless. I loved the whole experience of this game.

Pros	+ Polished to the max + Great physics + Tons of replay value + Perfect level design + Perfect difficulty curve + Great story progression + Every level has charm
Cons	- Nothing

Impressions

Gameplay 10 / 10	Toadette Strikes is a lovely fangame with amazing gameplay. I can not think of any fangame I have played that feels more cared for in development than this game. Seriously, every character quote and every enemy placement is spot-on. I loved how intelligently crafted this game's levels were as well. They start from levels with few and far between enemies to ones overflowing with them or even ones with the very ground being enemies. You start the game with a cool introduction level that doesn't feel like a trial at all. The introduction feels essential to the game itself. It introduces you to the world of the game and the game's two very useful items. After this trial it brings you to an overworld. Unlike official Mario games, the overworld is 2D and you have a choice of a few levels to warp to. It is a genius design, and later; more overworlds are visited, and they all advance the story. Perfect design right there. When you enter the levels, they match the scenery of their door opening portals' boundaries. This makes the world feel more real, as the levels match the overworld's area design in some ways as well. The levels themselves are varied. As Toadette, you swim in milk, throw koopas with bombs as shells and destroy blocks four times your size (which is neat and innovative). Also, a great mechanic that is used and useful in so many unique ways is the ability to grab enemies or plants from beneath your feet. This mechanic adds so much to the gameplay, I can not say it more. It was ripped from Mario Bros. 2, but in this game it still feels fresh. Now, let me get to the interesting and amazing boss battles. At the end of each overworld's unlockable final level, you will battle greatly designed bosses. These bosses, while often difficult and challenging are also fought against in interesting ways. You fight them by sometimes throwing blocks, sometimes stepping on things and sometimes simply jumping on them, or eating them with Yoshi's tongue. I really enjoyed the final battle, which was a worthy conclusion to the game. All in all, PERFECT gameplay.
Graphics 10 / 10	I absolutely adored the crafted and intricately designed NPC and enemy and player sprites in this game, of which there are many. Toadette is fully animated with jumping and running animations, as well as other very cutely designed animations. The graphics do not clash, yet they have such variety and visual appeal. They look custom to me, but even if they are not, they are perfectly chosen. The enemies vary in this game quite a bit so obviously so do the graphics of them. I really enjoyed the way the koopas looked, with all of their variations. Sometimes they would have bombs for shells, or have toad masks on that actually looked like, well, toad masks. Now let me get to another important aspect of the graphics chosen, scenery. The backgrounds, foregrounds and tiles used in this game are genius. They are chosen excellently and I really liked the atmosphere they gave off. Whether it be the crumbled remains of mountains in one world to the beautiful beach scenery of another, the graphics look very, very good. If it wasn't for the fact that I thin this game is perfect, I would give the graphics section of this review an even high score than the rest. They just suit the gameplay and atmosphere of the game in an awesome way.
Sound 10 / 10	Sounds in Toadette Strikes are pretty beautiful. There are haunting music tracks to be found here; as well as cheerful melodies; and all the way to quirky compositions. The music in some areas were just so perfect. They amplified the enjoyment I had playing this game to a higher degree had they not been there. That might sound obvious but they were really moody pieces. I was genuinely moved into a worried state in levels where a timer was present or where something was chasing Toadette. The music in the main menu even set the mood for things to experience within this gem. Can't stress the quality of the music quite enough. Sounds in this game were pretty cool too. Toadette Strikes had the game over sound or the jump and bounce sound, and all that would be expected. But it also had cool enemy sounds. Such as a jumping Ninji or buzzing butterfly people or even splashing into water (or milk). Nothing felt empty here. Perfect sound.
Replay 10 / 10	This is the first fangame I have played to motivate me to the point of wanting to get 100% completion on the save file. Why? Because there are medals to collect that are used to open doors to other levels. This is genius, as the levels that can be unlocked are so unique and fun. It is definitely worth your time if you want to continue to have a great time playing this game. Also, the game is worth replaying in other aspects too. Especially for fangame developers, this game should be seen as one that has raised the bar, and therefore should be studied. I'm not joking, in my fangame development hobby I will turn to this game from now on to see what I can do to make my game more fun, or even... more perfect. Perfect replay.

Final Words

Toadette Strikes sets the bar for what fangames can be. It is interesting, exciting, fun, and at times frustrating. I loved every moment. Play this if you want to be inspired.

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Comments

	YoshiOracle Aug 20 2016, 6:00 PM
Good review, Boy!

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