Before anyone tries to look this up on another site, namely Gamespot:
This review was definitely written by me.
I've gone by exactly three names during my time on the Internet for the past few years. Specifically, this one, the name it was based on (x13x37x) and 'NerfedFalcon'. Both x13x37x and NerfedFalcon were originally used on Runescape, but after I gave that up I started using the names elsewhere. I also started using a corruption of the original, and that's why my username here is what it is.
Also, I've touched up this review a little, such as fixing minor typos and adding HTML effects.
With all that out of the way...
~~~~~~
Normally, at the start of a review, I'd give you a history lesson. I don't feel like doing one this time, so I'll just skip straight onto the game. Released in 2007, Super Mario Galaxy is still touted as a must-own game for the Wii, particularly for people who enjoyed games such as Super Mario 64. Why? Well, let's take a look at it. Note: this is not objective, so I might gush a bit.
Story:
The storyline is almost completely standard Mario fare: Bowser has kidnapped the Princess again, and it's up to Mario to save her. Only this time, Bowser's managed to escape to even further away than just to the castle at the end of World 8, so Mario has to get help from a mysterious woman and a bunch of star-people. And while it might sound weird, nobody ever judges Mario games on their story, right? Well, except maybe the RPGs, but that's beside the point.
No rating necessary.
Gameplay:
Love them or hate them, there's no denying that Nintendo's first-party games tend to play incredibly well, and Super Mario Galaxy is no exception to the rule. Although it takes a little while to wrap your head around platforming while the camera insists on showing Mario standing upside-down, once you do you'll find that it works really well. Funnily enough, though, my favourite parts gameplay-wise were the ones most like Super Mario 64, without the whole gravity-not-going-straight-down concept. Not that platforming at strange angles completely ruins the game - but newcomers to gaming might want to find something else first, or go as the second player while someone else does the main platforming part.
9.5/10.
Aesthetics (graphics and sound):
Just because the Wii has a less powerful processor than its contemporaries doesn't mean it's automatically got worse graphics and sound. I'll start with the graphics by saying: Staring off into space while watching Mario fly around via a Slingstar or something like one never gets old. The voice acting sort of grates after a while, particularly Mario's cry of "SUPER MARIO GALAXY!!!" on the Disc Channel, but it's possible to live with those. And as for the new sound effects, such as when you go flying about in various ways, those sound pretty awesome too. As for the soundtrack: It can be bought on a separate disc. Enough said.
8.5/10.
Replayability:
Most open-ended Mario platformers have 120 main collectables to find, and as you find them you unlock new areas to find more collectables until you have them all. Aside from having three stars in each large galaxy, there's also plenty of smaller galaxies with one star and an interesting gameplay mechanic, and there's also a lot of secret stars hidden around - some of which you can't even get until after you beat the game! Then, when you finally find all 120 stars...I won't spoil it, but let it suffice to say that it'll give you a good reason to go grab them all again.
8.5/10.
In closing:
Super Mario Galaxy is one of those titles that everyone on the Internet who's played it objectively (i.e. not me) recommends to people, not because it proves games can be an art form, but just because they're fun. But I recommend it as a fun game too, so that has to count for something!
9/10.
Rent or Buy?:
If you own a Wii, definitely buy, regardless of the price tag.
This review was definitely written by me.
I've gone by exactly three names during my time on the Internet for the past few years. Specifically, this one, the name it was based on (x13x37x) and 'NerfedFalcon'. Both x13x37x and NerfedFalcon were originally used on Runescape, but after I gave that up I started using the names elsewhere. I also started using a corruption of the original, and that's why my username here is what it is.
Also, I've touched up this review a little, such as fixing minor typos and adding HTML effects.
With all that out of the way...
~~~~~~
Normally, at the start of a review, I'd give you a history lesson. I don't feel like doing one this time, so I'll just skip straight onto the game. Released in 2007, Super Mario Galaxy is still touted as a must-own game for the Wii, particularly for people who enjoyed games such as Super Mario 64. Why? Well, let's take a look at it. Note: this is not objective, so I might gush a bit.
Story:
The storyline is almost completely standard Mario fare: Bowser has kidnapped the Princess again, and it's up to Mario to save her. Only this time, Bowser's managed to escape to even further away than just to the castle at the end of World 8, so Mario has to get help from a mysterious woman and a bunch of star-people. And while it might sound weird, nobody ever judges Mario games on their story, right? Well, except maybe the RPGs, but that's beside the point.
No rating necessary.
Gameplay:
Love them or hate them, there's no denying that Nintendo's first-party games tend to play incredibly well, and Super Mario Galaxy is no exception to the rule. Although it takes a little while to wrap your head around platforming while the camera insists on showing Mario standing upside-down, once you do you'll find that it works really well. Funnily enough, though, my favourite parts gameplay-wise were the ones most like Super Mario 64, without the whole gravity-not-going-straight-down concept. Not that platforming at strange angles completely ruins the game - but newcomers to gaming might want to find something else first, or go as the second player while someone else does the main platforming part.
9.5/10.
Aesthetics (graphics and sound):
Just because the Wii has a less powerful processor than its contemporaries doesn't mean it's automatically got worse graphics and sound. I'll start with the graphics by saying: Staring off into space while watching Mario fly around via a Slingstar or something like one never gets old. The voice acting sort of grates after a while, particularly Mario's cry of "SUPER MARIO GALAXY!!!" on the Disc Channel, but it's possible to live with those. And as for the new sound effects, such as when you go flying about in various ways, those sound pretty awesome too. As for the soundtrack: It can be bought on a separate disc. Enough said.
8.5/10.
Replayability:
Most open-ended Mario platformers have 120 main collectables to find, and as you find them you unlock new areas to find more collectables until you have them all. Aside from having three stars in each large galaxy, there's also plenty of smaller galaxies with one star and an interesting gameplay mechanic, and there's also a lot of secret stars hidden around - some of which you can't even get until after you beat the game! Then, when you finally find all 120 stars...I won't spoil it, but let it suffice to say that it'll give you a good reason to go grab them all again.
8.5/10.
In closing:
Super Mario Galaxy is one of those titles that everyone on the Internet who's played it objectively (i.e. not me) recommends to people, not because it proves games can be an art form, but just because they're fun. But I recommend it as a fun game too, so that has to count for something!
9/10.
Rent or Buy?:
If you own a Wii, definitely buy, regardless of the price tag.
