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REVIEW<br />
Super Mario RPG<br />
(2023) – REVIEW<br />
Tobias Klausen<br />
Editor in Chief<br />
Photo: IGN; RPGamer; Game Informer<br />
Mario has proved time and time again, there’s<br />
nothing he can’t do. From racing in karts,<br />
playing various sports and even turning<br />
into paper, he’s done it all. But 27 years ago,<br />
the library of Mario spin-offs was nothing<br />
but a twinkle in the sky, the occasional<br />
karting being his only venture. But then<br />
Nintendo teamed up with SquareSoft (now<br />
known as the industry giant Square Enix),<br />
to bring the plumber to an entirely new<br />
genre: RPGs. The game was a huge success<br />
and even now is fondly remembered by its<br />
fans. So, imagine the shock when Nintendo<br />
revealed in a presentation earlier this year<br />
that they would be remaking the game,<br />
with a complete graphical overhaul and<br />
additional gameplay features? But can the<br />
remake capture the magic of the original,<br />
or should this classic have stayed in the<br />
nostalgic past?<br />
Super Mario RPG tells a tale as old as time,<br />
Bowser has once more kidnapped Princess<br />
Peach and it’s up to Mario to rescue her,<br />
however, strangely enough, this occurs<br />
within the first 10 minutes of the game. Just<br />
as Mario reunites with Peach, a massive<br />
sword comes crashing down from the<br />
38<br />
heavens, sending Mario, Peach and even<br />
Bowser flying out of the castle. Mario<br />
luckily lands in his house, but the confusion<br />
of what just happened lingers. What was<br />
that giant sword? Where is Princess Peach?<br />
What were those strange stars which fell<br />
from the sky as well? But<br />
with no hesitation, as<br />
there never is with our<br />
titular hero, he embarks<br />
on an adventure to find<br />
Princess Peach, with the<br />
help of some (unusual)<br />
allies along the way!<br />
The story is as simplistic<br />
as you would imagine for<br />
a Mario game. It never<br />
reaches any epic highs<br />
like that of Final Fantasy,<br />
but it doesn’t try to either,<br />
because what you get<br />
is exactly what you would want. Instead,<br />
Super Mario RPG focuses on humor, this is<br />
a funny game. It got quite a few chuckles<br />
out of me, and I had a smile on my face<br />
when reading some of the obtuse and crazy<br />
lines (why does Toad have a bazooka at<br />
home!?). Even mere in-game cutscenes<br />
featuring the shenanigans of the characters<br />
are enough to warrant a smile or a giggle.<br />
The game is overflowing with charm, and<br />
that doesn’t just apply to the writing but<br />
also the designs.<br />
You’ll recognize some familiar enemies<br />
like the iconic Goomba, Koopa Troopa and<br />
Shy Guy, but Super Mario RPG is brimming<br />
with plenty of enemy variety, and it never<br />
seems to stop. With every new world<br />
there is always something which brings a<br />
new color to the palette of the Mushroom<br />
Kingdom. And speaking of appearances,<br />
the game is absolutely gorgeous. Somehow,<br />
the developers have been able to translate<br />
the art style of the original flawlessly<br />
into the realm of modern graphics, and<br />
every world, enemy and even object are<br />
overflowing with life and there are tons of<br />
new animations to enjoy. There’s even been<br />
added cutscenes which are a blast to watch<br />
and add so much character to an adventure<br />
already overflowing with personality.<br />
But graphics aren’t the only thing to<br />
enjoy. Super Mario RPG has traditional<br />
turn-based combat segments in-between<br />
Mario jumping all around the Mushroom