| 15 July 2010
Super Mario Galaxy 2 twists, turns, warps, mixes, remixes and defies the conventionalism of many modern games. But so did the original Super Mario Galaxy, and there lies the begging question: Is SMG2 really a SMG1.5?
It becomes very clear that SMG2 stands on its own as a fully-fledged sequel in the history-making franchise. From the basic mechanics that were established in SMG, Nintendo's EAD Tokyo team has built and delivered a truly magical and enthralling experience that has you leaping across the galaxy with wonder and joy.
With constant consistency, SMG2 re-evaluates elements of classic Mario gameplay and presents them in worlds that demonstrate them to great effect. Nothing feels recycled and each level offers a unique perspective on platforming. What adheres this schizophrenic mentality of design is a mechanical equilibrium that almost everyone in the world is familiar with. While there are new game-changing powerups to play with, the meat of the game lies in the more traditional levels, that test your ability to jump, run and shake with precision and skill. The game plays with the fundamentals by subtly, but effectively, throwing modifiers at you like gravity, movement, perspective and even lighting to keep you perpetually on your toes (and Mario off his).
Probably where SMG2 diverges most is the welcome addition of Yohsi. The green dinosaur is a much improved version seen in Super Mario Sunshine, thanks to a myriad a fruits that enhance certain abilities and open up new opportunities for platforming fun. You also get to apply to star-pointing technique, using your Wiimote to target things for Yoshi's tongue to grab, stun or just plain gobble up. While he was an expected addition to the game, the Yoshi-infused levels will serve up its fair share of surprises.
With a constant change of mechanics, you'll never become complacent and there will always be a challenge to conquer. SMG2's difficulty is a step up from the last which may be a detriment in the later stages of the game, when star requirements become prohibitive. You'll be challenged as early as the first galaxy; an optional level that has you "thinking before you shake", as warned by a star bunny, really shook off the platforming-cobwebs. There will also be times when the game struggles to find a balance between control and action, making your journey artificially harder. The accuracy of Fire Mario hasn't improved at all, and Dash Pepper Yoshi seems impossible to control at times. You can cave in to the game's support system, the Cosmic Guide, which takes over control of Mario and leads you right to the end. Whilst it only results in a useless bronze star, I will admit that I had to succumb to the hand-holding on more than one occasion.
Mario is platforming at its purest but at the same time, it's a celebration of the indulgent imagination of Miyamoto and his team. There's creative genius at work here - you see it in the pop-up haunted mansion you traverse, the frozen waterfalls you walljump between and a Super Mario 64 throwback that will delight many long-time fans. The game is a constant volley of new ideas and concepts which will entertain a gamer for weeks, and perhaps will resonate for years to come. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a triumph of genuine and engaging video game design which still feels fresh after a decades-old formula. For an industry that's only decades-old in itself, it's a true testament to the minds behind it.
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