Mario's adventures in space continue for a second installment.
User Rating: 9.5 | Super Mario Galaxy 2 WII
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the fourth proper 3-D Mario platformer and the sequel to Super Mario Galaxy. It marks the first time a 3-D Mario game is given a proper sequel. Many of the qualities that made the first game near flawless are present. Visuals that make you believe this is an HD game, an orchestrated soundtrack that makes playing a game feel like visiting a symphony (although I will admit that the songs from the first game are a little more memorable), and gravity effects that change the way you progress through stages (galaxies). As you pretty much expect from any main Mario title, Bowser (now gigantic) has kidnapped Peach and locked her away somewhere in the galaxy, and it is up to Mario to find her. There are six main battles, three with Bowser Jr., and 3 more with Bowser himself. There are 7 worlds total. Six main worlds, and a special world unlocked after you beat the game. After collecting 120 stars, you unlock green star comets which involves finding a hidden star. This is where the limited camera can become a bit problematic. Many stages prevent you from altering the camera, or looking in first person view, which can make finding a few of the stars more difficult than need to be. Of particular note is the Stone Cyclone Galaxy, which forces an isometric camera on you while you traverse through a maze of superfast enemies ready to squish you. Granted, the first Mario Galaxy also had a limited camera, but camera control was not needed as much in that game as it is in the sequel. It's just one minor issue that keeps this game from being perfect. If you loved the first game to death, as I did, then there will be plenty more to find in the sequel. This opens up an interesting question: where will Mario go next?
