Super Mario Galaxy is the type of game that makes you remember why you play games in the first place.
The design is unparralled with variety that is out of this world. SMG2 makes many games seem shallow because there is just so much variety to the whole experience. Gravity plays a big part in this second adventure and environments are expertly designed with imagination and inventiveness blooming throughout. I found myself staring an awe at the mechanics in the game working together so effortlessy, waiting for me to experience their challenge.
Gameplay is familiar to how 3D Marios have felt, the gameplay in SMG is the most spot in the series with plentiful of everything to accomplish. The key concept is to collect stars in each of these mesmerizing, full of ingenuity, new worlds. Couple in Yoshi and it opens the door for countless possibilities as it takes the player through waves of what's taken over a decade to master in incredible level design.
Changes include the need for 70 stars instead of 60 to beat the game and challenges known as prankster commet stages that challenge the player with timed stages and increased difficulty. Galaxy 2 won't be a breeze as Galaxy 1 was, this one requires some patience and skill to beat some of the challenges. SMG2 answers prayers and brings challenge like we've rarely seen in the genre, it forces us to focus our grip and make every jump, every power up, every Yoshi count. It's ahead of the player, but just ahead to keep the pacing at a progressive and satisfying pace.
Yoshi's also gets his own set of power ups those all crazy and imaginative. He's got the oral skills, he's got speed, he's able to turn into a balloon, Yoshi has never been this fun loving in a 3D Mario game as he is here.
New costumes come into play those which include Cloud Mario, Rock Mario, as well as some returning favorites like Bee Mario and Fire Mario. Each power up is incorporated seamlessly each have a purpose in each of the levels. Cloud Mario opens up many possibilities whenever it pops up. It allows the player to create up to 3 platforms out of clouds.
The drill powerup is also used to its full potential requiring the player to think just how he/she will make it to the exact point of location. The drill powerup let's you drill through soft ground, making the level design more involving along with making the player rethink everything about a level they ever believed it could be.
And the bosses, wow they're all great, this time Bowser is huge, most of the bosses are much bigger then Mario, but that doesn't mean the boss is just one huge set piece, all the satisfaction that relishes from taking down the boss is here. SMG2 never tires of new ideas, new clever ways to handle a boss battle. New strategies are needed for every boss battle faced, keeping everything as fresh as sweet tomatoes.
What makes Super Mario Galaxy 2 the happiest most jocund experience ever isn't just the gameplay, the design, there is so much more that makes it a shining beacon of gifted artistry everywhere. It's the relaxing joyous music melodies blended in with the powerful orchestra that pops up during those intense boss battles. It's a phantasmagoria, a place one would never like to leave, it's gaming music to perfection.
Additionally with brilliant sound design, the graphics are stunning and eye popping. Who says a game has to be in HD to be fun, SMG2 carries itself with aplomb and features among the best artstyle and look. It's a sight to behold as such beautiful imagery of a world flourishes through life with some of the most vibrant colors in a platformer ever.
And then there were flaws. The flaws in SMG2 are so minimal that chances are the player won't even notice them as they play SMG2 with a giant smile on their faces. I mean the challenge could infuriate the player, but the challenge is just right, if there is anyone to blame it is you the player for not having the skill, you the player who doesn't have the plumber brains to solve and work through a challenge, you the player for not having a swift tongue to perform orally correct . Needless to say the usual with games, the camera isn't perfect, difficulty isn't consistent, and some still will complain that the game makes them dizzy because the camera twitches and spins around like you're in one of those Disney Land space ship demonstrations. Those are the flaws.
When a game has this much variety, this many gameplay mechanics, when the player is allowed to float in a dinosaur balloon, fly and stick themselves with a bee constume, rock out, run through exciting dissolving levels that turn inside out and then back to normal and twirl 180, or long jumping away from a hammer fist belonging to the evil King Bowser whose obsession with Princess Peach knows no bounds and not only that, but the fact that all he wants is cake. Talking stars, things inside of Mario's hat, space ship Mario head, when a game has this much variety one can only ask him/herself what kind of drug Nintendo was taking while creating this monster of a game. It is a monster creation, a bursting, leaking with consummate and raw genius type game. Full games could be made with some of the mechanics in SMG2.
From beginning to end, it's one of those games where one needs to be pinched in order to wake up. Who wants to leave the paradise of gameplay, design, this dream of a platformer. An epiphany to what gaming is all about. Magical, indulgent, nothing but the finest 3D platformer in all of the galaxy. A game an art, worthy of the effusive praise.
Final Score:
10/10 or A Plus Letter Grade
(Not an average score)
Gameplay: 10
Design: 10
Story: N/A
Presentation: 10
Sound: 10
Graphics: 10
Replay Value: 10