Support NeoGAF

[ViewtifulJC]

Lets be clear, this is the crispest, cleanest looking Mario game, ever.

Yes, we are at a point of diminishing returns. This game, like most games (either from the Wii U or from the X360, PS3 or newer), could be downported to lesser hardware and still exist as more or less the same game.

Doesn't mean that we can't enjoy dat HD goodness.

Compared to the artistic tour-de-force the Galaxy games regularly partook in, going back to same ol' Mushroom Kingdom/3D Land assets is a bit of a downer, ard design wise. It's kinda like NSMBU being crisper/cleaner than SMG2. Yeah sure, technically, but I know which one I prefer to look at.

 

[Currygan]

Lets be clear, this is the crispest, cleanest looking Mario game, ever.

so damn beautiful

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Listen, SM3DW will by all chances be a solid, fun, 7/10 platformer. Boost to an 8/10 if you happen to have some friends you can offline co-op with, since it's clearly the way the game was intended, and thus why the green stars/the coins/the timer/the wider size of the levels are there, the competitive game they're going for.

Thing is, SMG1/2 were 9/10-10/10, best games of the generation material. You'll have to forgive the disappointed users if "pretty decent fun" isn't enough for a follow-up to that legacy.

 

[Dr.Hadji]

Listen, SM3DW will by all chances be a solid, fun, 7/10 platformer. Boost to an 8/10 if you happen to have some friends you can offline co-op with, since it's clearly the way the game was intended, and thus why the green stars/the coins/the timer/the wider size of the levels are there, the competitive game they're going for.

Thing is, SMG1/2 were 9/10-10/10, best games of the generation material. You'll have to forgive the disappointed users if "pretty decent fun" isn't enough for a follow-up to that legacy.

Are you kidding me with this? We're pre-rating games now? Viewtiful?!! I though you were better than this.

 

[catstronaut]

To me, 3D Land is the ur-Mario. They had to take all this time finding what 3D Mario really is, getting the formula wrong with Mario 64 and slowly righting it, taking their time so as not to make a big misstep. With 3DLand, they arrived at the basis of what 3D Mario is, what Mario should be when you add an extra dimension. They couldn't focus on the innovative designs of Galaxy 2 because they were working so hard to redefine the core concept. And they finally did it, and now we're going to get the best of both worlds. When some people look at 3DLand compared to Galaxy 2, they're seeing a lack of ideas, a step back, something on a smaller scale. That small scale is because of the platform, the lack of unique ideas for every level is a because they tried so hard at redefining the series.

I could be wrong, but I think people are going to be really surprised when they play 3DWorld, because I think it'll be the best of both worlds, the forward-thinking level design and scope of Galaxy with the pitch-perfect gameplay and Mario feel of 3DLand. The reason it looks like 3DLand is because it falls under the paradigm-shift. It's not the old, un-Mario 3D style that felt like such an awkward transition. It's a primal representation of what the series is about, pushed ahead with everything the team has learned about level design. When people say they love Galaxy 2 the most, they're saying they love the per-level ideas. Galaxy's level design really has nothing in common with 64 or Sunshine, it's just held back by their control and systems design.

I think there's a lot of merit to revisiting 64's exploration-based gameplay now that Nintendo's gotten the framework down, now that they've figured out the 3D space more, now that they're better able to guide players. But I definitely feel like this game was in them, that it was incubating for a long time, that they finally realized their design goals with 3DLand and they're bursting to try them all out, to create a four-player playground bursting with new ideas and level designs.

 

[Saint Gregory]

so damn beautiful

I don't know why but it's got amazing charm for such a simple looking art style. I like how the tree to the left is kind of leaning off-kilter for no reason whatsoever.

 

[raviolico]

Listen, SM3DW will by all chances be a solid, fun, 7/10 platformer. Boost to an 8/10 if you happen to have some friends you can offline co-op with, since it's clearly the way the game was intended, and thus why the green stars/the coins/the timer/the wider size of the levels are there, the competitive game they're going for.

Thing is, SMG1/2 were 9/10-10/10, best games of the generation material. You'll have to forgive the disappointed users if "pretty decent fun" isn't enough for a follow-up to that legacy.

SM3DL was 21/20 for me. so...opinions.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Are you kidding me with this? We're pre-rating games now? Viewtiful?!! I though you were better than this.

Ok, sit here and tell me you don't have any idea of how good or bad a game will be until you play it.

Maybe this will suddenly wow me with some incredible, varied, challenging levels with wonderful melodic music, great art direction, faster pacing, etc. I'm just not counting on it. And considering the game it's clearly a sequel to(Super Mario 3D Land) was a 7/10 for me, I don't think it's some huge assumption to think this will probably in the same ballpark, especially considering it's biggest innovation(Multiplayer) doesn't matter to me whatsoever.

A solid, slight, unspectacular 3D Mario game. That's what it looks like to me. Forgive me for expecting a bit more after the fantastic, spectacular, best of the generation contending Galaxy games.

 

[VGChampion]

Listen, SM3DW will by all chances be a solid, fun, 7/10 platformer. Boost to an 8/10 if you happen to have some friends you can offline co-op with, since it's clearly the way the game was intended, and thus why the green stars/the coins/the timer/the wider size of the levels are there, the competitive game they're going for.

Thing is, SMG1/2 were 9/10-10/10, best games of the generation material. You'll have to forgive the disappointed users if "pretty decent fun" isn't enough for a follow-up to that legacy.

But you're just going on opinions. Many people didn't think Galaxy was the greatest thing ever. I didn't really like that version of Mario until Galaxy 2 came out and fixed all the problems. From the limited amount of footage we've seen of this game, I already think 3D World looks better and will be a 9 to 10 game.

 

[Always-honest]

so damn beautiful

Yes. And in art direction near perfection for a Mario game imo.

I don't think we can say a whole damn lot about the quality of the gameplay yet, but i think it looks bloody fantastic.

 

[Brandon F]

The time is now...

for 128 Mario's. Unleash the horde!

 

[catstronaut]

But you're just going on opinions. Many people didn't think Galaxy was the greatest thing ever. I didn't really like that version of Mario until Galaxy 2 came out and fixed all the problems. From the limited amount of footage we've seen of this game, I already think 3D World looks better and will be a 9 to 10 game.

Agreed. I didn't really care for Galaxy at all. It was just kind of a game I played. Galaxy 2 was a lot better, but I don't really think it fixed anything. To me it felt like it was stuck with the same old problems, but just had such strong ideas for each level that I was able to appreciate it for its variety.

 

[kingkaiser]

1. Mario 64
2. Galaxy
3. Sunshine
4. 3D Land
5. Galaxy 2

I like innovative Mario games, so logically Galaxy 2 was my biggest disappointment. Just too much of the same. I kinda fear that M64 will never be beaten from my first place. It seems Nintendo kinda abandoned open-world games lately. It's a shame, because open world is the way I would like to have the series kept going...

 

[Yado]

But you're just going on opinions. Many people didn't think Galaxy was the greatest thing ever. I didn't really like that version of Mario until Galaxy 2 came out and fixed all the problems. From the limited amount of footage we've seen of this game, I already think 3D World looks better and will be a 9 to 10 game.

I'm one of those people. My interest waned while playing both Galaxy games and I never finished either of them. SM3DW looks much more streamlined and fun, can't wait to play it.

 

[Berordn]

Agreed. I didn't really care for Galaxy at all. It was just kind of a game I played. Galaxy 2 was a lot better, but I don't really think it fixed anything. To me it felt like it was stuck with the same old problems, but just had such strong ideas for each level that I was able to appreciate it for its variety.

As someone who adored Galaxy, I kind of have to agree, though a perhaps bit less strongly. The game was close to perfection for me except for things like the weird camera (which was less of an issue thanks to the fixed distance on the planetoids), the long delay between levels thanks to navigating the hub world and the thousand message boxes in between, and then the levels were fairly simple and not terribly varied, and then you had stuff like Honeyhive and Beach Bowl which were just boring (except the one segment of Beach Bowl that got turned into its own Galaxy in the sequel, that was great).

Galaxy 2's cutting back on the hub and streamlining everything was great, the new powerups were fun, and everything was fairly linear... and it was basically a prototype to 3D Land with a Galaxy coat of paint, and it was a better game all-around for it. Then 3D Land came out and was just raw platforming and I adored it, if not its difficulty.

3D World could be everything I want, if they don't relapse into things like the awkward camera in Galaxy. The fixed distance camera from 3D Land pretty much always worked, and losing that is just a mechanical downgrade.

 

[RobFox64tm]

To me, 3D Land is the ur-Mario. They had to take all this time finding what 3D Mario really is, getting the formula wrong with Mario 64 and slowly righting it, taking their time so as not to make a big misstep. With 3DLand, they arrived at the basis of what 3D Mario is, what Mario should be when you add an extra dimension. They couldn't focus on the innovative designs of Galaxy 2 because they were working so hard to redefine the core concept. And they finally did it, and now we're going to get the best of both worlds. When some people look at 3DLand compared to Galaxy 2, they're seeing a lack of ideas, a step back, something on a smaller scale. That small scale is because of the platform, the lack of unique ideas for every level is a because they tried so hard at redefining the series.

I could be wrong, but I think people are going to be really surprised when they play 3DWorld, because I think it'll be the best of both worlds, the forward-thinking level design and scope of Galaxy with the pitch-perfect gameplay and Mario feel of 3DLand. The reason it looks like 3DLand is because it falls under the paradigm-shift. It's not the old, un-Mario 3D style that felt like such an awkward transition. It's a primal representation of what the series is about, pushed ahead with everything the team has learned about level design. When people say they love Galaxy 2 the most, they're saying they love the per-level ideas. Galaxy's level design really has nothing in common with 64 or Sunshine, it's just held back by their control and systems design.

I think there's a lot of merit to revisiting 64's exploration-based gameplay now that Nintendo's gotten the framework down, now that they've figured out the 3D space more, now that they're better able to guide players. But I definitely feel like this game was in them, that it was incubating for a long time, that they finally realized their design goals with 3DLand and they're bursting to try them all out, to create a four-player playground bursting with new ideas and level designs.

Nice to see others in here who can look at 3D World's developement with a more analytical eye, rather than just spouting out the same old hyperbole of re-releasing a 3DS game out of pure laziness.

3D World seems to be the product of Miyamoto's desire to have a multiplayer 3D Mario game, which he was quite vocal about for a long time. The 3D Land template worked to make this a reality, so that's what they used. This is how Nintendo has always developed concepts for their games, and even if it doesn't always yield a Galaxy-esque epic, it shows me that the developers have fun experimenting with new ideas without the pressure of always having to out do themselves. That may seem like a bad thing to us fans, but when you consider that even small baby steps will eventually lead to greater things, the lessons they learn with this game will lead to broader concepts later on. Nintendo's methods take time, but their polish assures we are enjoying it all along the way. Let Nintendo do what they need to do, because their creative process has always led to many outstanding games in the past.

 

[lwilliams3]

Compared to the artistic tour-de-force the Galaxy games regularly partook in, going back to same ol' Mushroom Kingdom/3D Land assets is a bit of a downer, ard design wise. It's kinda like NSMBU being crisper/cleaner than SMG2. Yeah sure, technically, but I know which one I prefer to look at.

Sounds to me like you have more of an issue with the setting and camera angles than the graphics. Like 3D Land, 3D World seems to be more traditional and platform intensive than the previous 3D games. It makes sense for the camera to usually be more zoomed out than Galaxy's. Since the camera is more flexible, perhaps it is possible to set it closer to Mario in one-player mode. I'm unsure on how playable it would be though.

Listen, SM3DW will by all chances be a solid, fun, 7/10 platformer. Boost to an 8/10 if you happen to have some friends you can offline co-op with, since it's clearly the way the game was intended, and thus why the green stars/the coins/the timer/the wider size of the levels are there, the competitive game they're going for.

Thing is, SMG1/2 were 9/10-10/10, best games of the generation material. You'll have to forgive the disappointed users if "pretty decent fun" isn't enough for a follow-up to that legacy.

If you just look at this thread alone, posters generally score 3D Land higher than what you implied, and this game is likely be even better. You should see more of the game before you downplay it like that..

 

[ViewtifulJC]

I'm happy for you guys, really. A bit jealous, actually. I wish I could be excited about this game, but it's just not happening. I see the series has kinda divided into 3 different paths: NSMB 2d horizontal movement, SMG/64/Sunshine's 3D movement, 3DLand/3DWorld compromise of the two with a heavy focus on vertical movement. And one of these sells much lower than the other ones, so it make sense.

Maybe in five years we'll get that great 3D Mario in the vein of Galaxy. Maybe not. Maybe this is just the future of the franchise. Oh well.

 

[Hoodbury]

Lets be clear, this is the crispest, cleanest looking Mario game, ever.

Something about Peach herself doesn't seem very crisp or clean and I still don't get why they can't put more effort into their ground textures.

I'm just not feeling it I guess. I'm not impressed.

 

[Always-honest]

Something about Peach herself doesn't seem very crisp or clean and I still don't get why they can't put more effort into their ground textures.

I'm just not feeling it I guess. I'm not impressed.

What would you suggest?

 

[NinjaCatfish]

I just fully finished 3D Land, and it was just so great. It has me super pumped for a bigger better version on Wii U.

Seeing the game in 60fps is just something else.

 

[Nibel]

Listen, SM3DW will by all chances be a solid, fun, 7/10 platformer. Boost to an 8/10 if you happen to have some friends you can offline co-op with, since it's clearly the way the game was intended, and thus why the green stars/the coins/the timer/the wider size of the levels are there, the competitive game they're going for.

Thing is, SMG1/2 were 9/10-10/10, best games of the generation material. You'll have to forgive the disappointed users if "pretty decent fun" isn't enough for a follow-up to that legacy.

:lol

Let's just wait how the game turns out bro, no need for pre-ratings ans besides they will be polarizing anyway

BTW, glass pipe is amazing; and I like Nintendo's use of DOF

 

[Appleman]

To me, 3D Land is the ur-Mario. They had to take all this time finding what 3D Mario really is, getting the formula wrong with Mario 64 and slowly righting it, taking their time so as not to make a big misstep. With 3DLand, they arrived at the basis of what 3D Mario is, what Mario should be when you add an extra dimension. They couldn't focus on the innovative designs of Galaxy 2 because they were working so hard to redefine the core concept. And they finally did it, and now we're going to get the best of both worlds. When some people look at 3DLand compared to Galaxy 2, they're seeing a lack of ideas, a step back, something on a smaller scale. That small scale is because of the platform, the lack of unique ideas for every level is a because they tried so hard at redefining the series.

I could be wrong, but I think people are going to be really surprised when they play 3DWorld, because I think it'll be the best of both worlds, the forward-thinking level design and scope of Galaxy with the pitch-perfect gameplay and Mario feel of 3DLand. The reason it looks like 3DLand is because it falls under the paradigm-shift. It's not the old, un-Mario 3D style that felt like such an awkward transition. It's a primal representation of what the series is about, pushed ahead with everything the team has learned about level design. When people say they love Galaxy 2 the most, they're saying they love the per-level ideas. Galaxy's level design really has nothing in common with 64 or Sunshine, it's just held back by their control and systems design.

I think there's a lot of merit to revisiting 64's exploration-based gameplay now that Nintendo's gotten the framework down, now that they've figured out the 3D space more, now that they're better able to guide players. But I definitely feel like this game was in them, that it was incubating for a long time, that they finally realized their design goals with 3DLand and they're bursting to try them all out, to create a four-player playground bursting with new ideas and level designs.

Definitely the best post in the thread.

I also don't understand why fans of Galaxy 2 are disappointed by 3D World. They're both equally capable of delivering the genius and crazy platforming levels that Galaxy 2 fans adore.

I do miss the exploration-based Mario games though, and I just hope that Nintendo hasn't abandoned that completely (or I'll take a WWHD style Sunshine remake)

 

[Darryl]

A solid, slight, unspectacular 3D Mario game. That's what it looks like to me. Forgive me for expecting a bit more after the fantastic, spectacular, best of the generation contending Galaxy games.

in my experience, nintendo never shows nor demos the best levels in their game. it's always the introduction levels or the levels immediately introducing a new concept that is necessary to explain the game. they aren't like most other developers which are more like movie theater trailers.

 

[Somnid]

Listen, SM3DW will by all chances be a solid, fun, 7/10 platformer. Boost to an 8/10 if you happen to have some friends you can offline co-op with, since it's clearly the way the game was intended, and thus why the green stars/the coins/the timer/the wider size of the levels are there, the competitive game they're going for.

Thing is, SMG1/2 were 9/10-10/10, best games of the generation material. You'll have to forgive the disappointed users if "pretty decent fun" isn't enough for a follow-up to that legacy.

Wii Sports had a 7/10 legacy too you know.

 

[Sendou]

Saying that EAD Tokyo will pump out a 7/10 platformer just because the camera angle doesn't please you is quite ridiculous actually.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Saying that EAD Tokyo will pump out a 7/10 platformer just because the camera angle doesn't please you is quite ridiculous actually.

Please point out where this was stated, I'd like a good laugh

 

[Sendou]

Please point out where this was stated, I'd like a good laugh

We are some 2,700 posts in now. Posts implying stuff like that were more frequent at the start and they still occasionally make an appearance. Quite ridiculous indeed.

 

[Sapiens]

3D world will sell a system to me. 3D Land was simply that good. I can't believe that people are expecting something bad here...

 

[ViewtifulJC]

We are some 2,700 posts in now. Posts implying stuff like that were more frequent at the start and they still occasionally make an appearance. Quite ridiculous indeed.

Please point out where this was stated, I'd like a good laugh.

It would help if they were more recent to the actual conversation currently happening, I'll note.

 

[Neo Child]

Please point out where this was stated, I'd like a good laugh

if your looking for a good but not great laugh just look at your last few posts in this thread

i'd say theyre 7/10 material

 

[marc^o^]

Listen, SM3DW will by all chances be a solid, fun, 7/10 platformer.

Listen, this is ridiculous.

 

[D_prOdigy]

I still don't get why they can't put more effort into their ground textures.

As a fan of Super Mario games, I have been thinking exactly this.

oh. maybe I haven't, actually.

 

[Sendou]

Please point out where this was stated, I'd like a good laugh.

It would help if they were more recent to the actual conversation currently happening, I'll note.

I don't actually laugh at posts like that. I just find them a little bit weird and somewhat disappointing.

If you actually enjoy laughing at material like that then I can pretty much recommend that you read every single one of posts made in this thread. Good percentage of them include classic material in style of my original post you quoted.

 

[TreIII]

To me, 3D Land is the ur-Mario. They had to take all this time finding what 3D Mario really is, getting the formula wrong with Mario 64 and slowly righting it, taking their time so as not to make a big misstep. With 3DLand, they arrived at the basis of what 3D Mario is, what Mario should be when you add an extra dimension. They couldn't focus on the innovative designs of Galaxy 2 because they were working so hard to redefine the core concept. And they finally did it, and now we're going to get the best of both worlds. When some people look at 3DLand compared to Galaxy 2, they're seeing a lack of ideas, a step back, something on a smaller scale. That small scale is because of the platform, the lack of unique ideas for every level is a because they tried so hard at redefining the series.

I could be wrong, but I think people are going to be really surprised when they play 3DWorld, because I think it'll be the best of both worlds, the forward-thinking level design and scope of Galaxy with the pitch-perfect gameplay and Mario feel of 3DLand. The reason it looks like 3DLand is because it falls under the paradigm-shift. It's not the old, un-Mario 3D style that felt like such an awkward transition. It's a primal representation of what the series is about, pushed ahead with everything the team has learned about level design. When people say they love Galaxy 2 the most, they're saying they love the per-level ideas. Galaxy's level design really has nothing in common with 64 or Sunshine, it's just held back by their control and systems design.

I think there's a lot of merit to revisiting 64's exploration-based gameplay now that Nintendo's gotten the framework down, now that they've figured out the 3D space more, now that they're better able to guide players. But I definitely feel like this game was in them, that it was incubating for a long time, that they finally realized their design goals with 3DLand and they're bursting to try them all out, to create a four-player playground bursting with new ideas and level designs.

Excellent post.

 

[RagnarokX]

I'm happy for you guys, really. A bit jealous, actually. I wish I could be excited about this game, but it's just not happening. I see the series has kinda divided into 3 different paths: NSMB 2d horizontal movement, SMG/64/Sunshine's 3D movement, 3DLand/3DWorld compromise of the two with a heavy focus on vertical movement. And one of these sells much lower than the other ones, so it make sense.

Maybe in five years we'll get that great 3D Mario in the vein of Galaxy. Maybe not. Maybe this is just the future of the franchise. Oh well.

To me, the most important thing about Mario games are the level design and gameplay (platforming). The design they are going for in 3D World is the most attuned for intense platforming in 3D space. I like the more adventurous gameplay of 64, and I hope they make levels closer to that in terms of scope in addition to having great platforming.

But look at a level that a lot of people consider one of the best in Mario Galaxy: Luigi's Purple Coins. That level is completely flat and just made of collapsing platforms. No gravity mechanics, nothing unique that 3D World can't do. Look at Grandmaster Galaxy in Galaxy 2, that level is totally in 3D World's bag. Imagine levels like that, but even bigger, more complex, more detailed, and more intense.

Hell, there's nothing about this design choice stopping them from doing something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5nfZbKJIpk

 

[PumpkinPie]

I have this pre-ordered, but I'm still hoping for a proper Mario adventure at some point. Hopefully it'll come.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

To me, the most important thing about Mario games are the level design and gameplay (platforming). The design they are going for in 3D World is the most attuned for intense platforming in 3D space. I like the more adventurous gameplay of 64, and I hope they make levels closer to that in terms of scope in addition to having great platforming.

But look at a level that a lot of people consider one of the best in Mario Galaxy: Luigi's Purple Coins. That level is completely flat and just made of collapsing platforms. No gravity mechanics, nothing unique that 3D World can't do. Look at Grandmaster Galaxy in Galaxy 2, that level is totally in 3D World's bag. Imagine levels like that, but even bigger, more complex, more detailed, and more intense.

Hell, there's nothing about this design choice stopping them from doing something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5nfZbKJIpk

3D Land in theory sounds like it could be a great game, but I hated the slower lackadaisical feel of control, and the slight, small, easy levels. The first half of the game is a chore to get through, quite honestly. 3D World levels seem "bigger", but it seems mostly to accommodate the larger player count and adding lots of superfluous coin stacks and timers and green stars, multiplayer competitive stuff I don't care about. The slower moment-to-moment pacing of 3DLand is still there, too. And again, I understand why they've gone for this game design, it's more accessible to a general audience, it sells more, but it doesn't excite me.

 

[RagnarokX]

3D Land in theory sounds like it could be a great game, but I hated the slower lackadaisical feel of control, and the slight, small levels. The first half of the game is a chore to get through, quite honestly. 3D World levels seem "bigger", but it seems mostly to accommodate the larger player count and adding lots of superfluous coin stacks and timers and green stars, multiplayer competitive stuff I don't care about. The slower moment-to-moment pacing of 3DLand is still there, too. And again, I understand why they've gone for this game design, it's more accessible to a general audience, it sells more, but it doesn't excite me.

But 3D World isn't 3D Land. Putting bigger in quotes doesn't make them not bigger than Galaxy's levels. Writing off the green stars as superfluous is a bit silly considering the extra challenge these kinds of items add was one of the best things about the NSMB games and Galaxy 2. I don't have people to play Mario multiplayer with and that didn't stop NSMBU from being the best 2D Mario game; Nintendo's developers are gods of level design. 3D Land had some of the most challenging levels in a 3D Mario game, but I think I'll enjoy them a lot more with bigger, even more challenging levels and an actual analog stick. And even with its smaller levels, 3D Land still had some exploratory levels. The level design was a lot closer to Galaxy than people give it credit for.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

But 3D World isn't 3D Land. Putting bigger in quotes doesn't make them not bigger than Galaxy's levels. Writing off the green stars as superfluous is a bit silly considering the extra challenge these kinds of items add was one of the best things about the NSMB games and Galaxy 2. I don't have people to play Mario multiplayer with and that didn't stop NSMBU from being the best 2D Mario game; Nintendo's developers are gods of level design. 3D Land had some of the most challenging levels in a 3D Mario game, but I think I'll enjoy them a lot more with bigger, even more challenging levels and an actual analog stick. And even with its smaller levels, 3D Land still had some exploratory levels. The level design was a lot closer to Galaxy than people give it credit for.

I admit to speaking too soon on the green stars, they could be a cool thing to grab if they unlock something worthwhile. Although when it comes to platformer collectibles, personally, the more they are, the less special and less interesting they are for me to find. The one DK Coin in DKC2 or the one Comet Medal in SMG2 feels more satisfactory to me than finding 3 Star Coins.

The 3D World stages we've seen so far look bigger, but with the same slow, easy pacing and moment-to-moment gameplay design of 3D Land. They demo'd a stage from world 6(I imagine late in the game, 8 worlds is a Mario staple) that just seemed like a bigger version of a 3D Land level, just as slow, just as easy, just as boring to transverse. Big focus on vertical movement. Doesn't excite me in the least. Maybe they're saving all the good, challenging, clever, varied levels for the main game and they want the boring easy ones out the way, even the ones late in the game.

 

[chaosblade]

The whole concept of 3D World has grown on me a lot since completing 3D Land this week. There is definitely a lot of potential here, I just hope the first third to half the game isn't as much of a slog. Make the whole game as good as the special worlds and it could be amazing.

 

[gryz]

that gif in the OP looks straight out of Mario 64(in a good way). wtf are people complaining about?

 

[Mlatador]

I bet the game will be awesome. 4 Player Co-Op will be huge. Eventhough it doesn't look as "epic" as the Mario Galaxy games, it just looks like so much fun. I've got to say, the game has grown on me as well.

 

[I NEED SCISSORS]

No online in this is saddening. The Mario performers' aversion to it is bordering on the ridiculous.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

I'll say this in 3D World's favor, the lack of Tanooki suit is a good move. You grabbed that thing in 3D Land, goodbye potentially challenging platforming stages!

 

[ScOULaris]

No online in this is saddening. The Mario performers' aversion to it is bordering on the ridiculous.

You're right. Why put so much focus on multiplayer without integrating online play? Such a missed opportunity yet again. Does Nintendo think that only Smash and Kart players want online play?

 

[Carpe Libertatem]

I'll say this in 3D World's favor, the lack of Tanooki suit is a good move. You grabbed that thing in 3D Land, goodbye potentially challenging platforming stages!

Well you're gonna be even more disappointed when you find out that it's in the game!

There's also nothing stopping you from, you know, not using the suit if it makes the game too easy for you. They don't force you to use it. I'm glad the Tanooki suit is in because it makes the game easier for people who need it to be easier. Gaming is not some exclusive club.

 

[Spieler Eins]

3D Land was amazing, right from the start. The levels were perfect for a handheld game, they took perfect advantage of the 3DS and were simply fun and addictive in short bursts and looked great with the 3D on.

Shit doesn't make any sense on a home console though. Even less as a successor to Galaxy. It doesn't get better if you mix in some dumb coop parts that look like they belong into fucking Mario Party. It's also funny how many ,,Bubut 3D Land was great!!'' defenders don't get the most crucial point. It's the first time a new hardware solely gets mainline Mario games which are basically nothing but level packs from previous products. This series has been system- and generation defining once, you already forgot? Now we get some title that feels like it solely exists because of market research. And it's not like the WiiU already has ANY game now, or in the whole 2013 lineup that looks like Nintendo has reached the next gen.

Also, fuck green Stars. These ,,3 collectables'' in the 2D games and Galaxy2/3D Land feel way too forced, annoying to collect and poorly stretch the game time. Make something like 64 if you want to encourage exploration, linear stages should at best feature secret exits or hidden power ups - even the best levels get fucking tedious if you gotta repeat them over and over for that last hidden coin/star/whatever to get to the final world. (Which is one reason why Galaxy 1 is still king)

 

[DaBoss]

How to make a game for a handheld:
1. Make it small to fit the smaller screen.
2. Make it easy to start and stop.

That's all I can think of, and even then, the first point is kind of an iffy due to the many console ports that handhelds get. Claiming anything else as making it a handheld game vs console games is silly. I find it silly when people use a similar point against the Vita, "I don't want to play console games on a handheld".

I'll say this in 3D World's favor, the lack of Tanooki suit is a good move. You grabbed that thing in 3D Land, goodbye potentially challenging platforming stages!

Then don't use it? I love the Tanooki suit in 3D Land because it lets me experiment on ways I can complete levels faster. It really is interesting to see how you can "overcome" the level designs using "shortcuts".

 

[Spike]

To me, 3D Land is the ur-Mario. They had to take all this time finding what 3D Mario really is, getting the formula wrong with Mario 64 and slowly righting it, taking their time so as not to make a big misstep. With 3DLand, they arrived at the basis of what 3D Mario is, what Mario should be when you add an extra dimension. They couldn't focus on the innovative designs of Galaxy 2 because they were working so hard to redefine the core concept. And they finally did it, and now we're going to get the best of both worlds. When some people look at 3DLand compared to Galaxy 2, they're seeing a lack of ideas, a step back, something on a smaller scale. That small scale is because of the platform, the lack of unique ideas for every level is a because they tried so hard at redefining the series.

I could be wrong, but I think people are going to be really surprised when they play 3DWorld, because I think it'll be the best of both worlds, the forward-thinking level design and scope of Galaxy with the pitch-perfect gameplay and Mario feel of 3DLand. The reason it looks like 3DLand is because it falls under the paradigm-shift. It's not the old, un-Mario 3D style that felt like such an awkward transition. It's a primal representation of what the series is about, pushed ahead with everything the team has learned about level design. When people say they love Galaxy 2 the most, they're saying they love the per-level ideas. Galaxy's level design really has nothing in common with 64 or Sunshine, it's just held back by their control and systems design.

I think there's a lot of merit to revisiting 64's exploration-based gameplay now that Nintendo's gotten the framework down, now that they've figured out the 3D space more, now that they're better able to guide players. But I definitely feel like this game was in them, that it was incubating for a long time, that they finally realized their design goals with 3DLand and they're bursting to try them all out, to create a four-player playground bursting with new ideas and level designs.

Bingo.

Also, EAD Tokyo hasn't released a subpar game yet. Why are people expecting this be any different?