MFGG - Mario Fan Games Galaxy

Review Information

Game Reviewed	Paper Bowser World 3, by toodles_team
Review Author	Dim_Yimma_H
Created	Sep 25 2011, 3:48 PM

General Commentary and Game Overview

This sequel is a platformer with simple gameplay (get yourself ready for the secret though :), gorgeous graphics in stylistic paper style, and audio that is ALL right! Game difficulty seems slightly harder than G.R.O.M, and also more fair as the collisions between Bowser and blocks are much more precise.

Pros	+ Gorgeous graphical tiles and stylistic paper sprites that match perfectly. + Simple and reliable controls. + Time limits make the later levels challenging in a fun way. + Secret World to unlock.
Cons	- Quite flat levels that aren't too tricky to traverse. - Unbalanced coin collection challenge. - Slow running makes replays feel the same.

Impressions

Gameplay 6 / 10	The levels of the first world each have a handful of gaps to jump over, which might not be much for a platform game. But the platform design becomes richer in World 1-3, with many pipes of different heights and Piranha's in, that enforce a sense of timing when jumping from pipe to pipe. In World 1-4, even more sense of timing is required, to pass the spinning flame rods. Then Toodles steps away from that classic gameplay and gives us a level full of bandits! ...Fake bandits, that are no challenge at all, so why not Bowser-burn them all down? - Because it's fun! World 2-4 adds another new gameplay experience, by being a full-fledged shoot'em up course over an ocean. It almost goes too smoothly though as it's very easy to play through. World 3-2 is where the level design starts to shine, with gaps that require trampoline acrobatics to traverse, lots of colorful pipes full of Piranhas making timing essential. Use "awesomepassword" to get straight to this more challenging world. I think this game is at its best with a tight time limit, in World 4-1 I often ran out of time in the second half of the level, and it was really important to push Bowser forward all the time, by stomping those enemies without stopping. There are some frustrating features of PBW3, though they are actually fair: * Bowser runs slowly, which can feel repetitive as it's the main move throughout the game. * Bowser can't breathe fire while jumping, which forces us to wait for every Piranha plant to go back into their pipes before jumping over them - Though not all logical, that is good for the game mechanics as it makes timing a challenge instead of plain fire button bashing. * Small Bowser bounces on Goombas but Big Bowser just squishes them to pancakes, which is logical and adds depth to the jumping - But it would be more fun to bounce on them.
Graphics 10 / 10	World 1-1 is inspired by the original SMB, but the graphics are magnitudes more gorgeous, with grass and bush on the ground tiles, and colorful hills in the background that resemble of Yoshi's Island. World 1-2 is an underworld completely different from World 1-1. There's my favorite background, it looks like the dark backside of a paper that something has punched large holes in. While the graphical design is gorgeous, the level design is a bit bland with long flat platforms. World 3-1 gives us gorgeous graphics of winter snow and cozy Christmas night backgrounds.
Sound 9 / 10	We get to hear a remix of the classic SMB melody, and the underground music from later Super Mario games. World 1-3 continues to surprise, with high rocky mountains in the background and a fresh melody of flute that brings me fond memories of Saga Frontier 2, adventurous! The main villain in this game is MC Ballyhoo, a hovering jerk that is designed with sheer ingeniousity. You can't mistake him for anything else than a madman! Accompanied by a mad melody in crazy Chocobo class.
Replay 4 / 10	The game has limited replay value, because the goal is to get 500 coins - But it's an unbalanced goal as it means playing through all levels without save/load, and Bowser has endless lives so it's all about persistency really. There is a reward though! The Minus World is the most challenging and fun one in the game. And as the non-credits roll by I got a good laughter. Thanks for that Toodles ^_^

Final Words

Perfect graphics and audio. Game mechanics are well-balanced, but it's too easy for fans. Few things stand out, except the Minus World which is bitch hard and fun.

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