When it comes to the Mario series, there are quite a few games that people like to call 'darker and edgier' than the norm. Super Paper Mario with its destruction of reality based plot and sociopath of a villain, Luigi's Mansion with its humanoid ghosts and ambient music... But then you've got this game.
Quite possibly the darkest, most cynical game in the series, Mario & Luigi Partners in Time is quite literally one of the least upbeat Mario titles in the history of the franchise. Not only are the villains are so utterly horrible that they make Bowser or King Boo look like innocent little kittens by comparison, but the general tone is so damn depressing that nothing else can even compare.
So how good is the game then? Absolutely fantastic. Oh sure, it's linear to the point it'd make Skyward Sword or Metroid Other M look like Grand Theft Auto by comparison and it makes near enough zero use of the hardware except for graphics, but it's still a great game. And here's my review.
Premise
You read that bit about how dark the game is? Well I'll start off by saying that it's not an exaggeration. This is quite literally the most 'dark' Mario game ever released, to the point some parts of it could be taken wholesale and put in an M rated game with only minor changes.
The story revolves around a time machine experiment started by Professor E Gadd. Peach goes back in time to test it, and then finds the hard way that the kingdom has been invaded by the alien Shroobs, who have pretty much massacred much of the population and destroyed about half the kingdom. And then they capture Princess Peach, causing Mario and Luigi to have to go back in time to save her.
Above: Dying Toads, Luigi in tears... this is pretty much about as 'dark' as Mario gets.
In doing this, they team up with the baby selves to take down the evil aliens and save the kingdom. But it won't be easy. Toad Town has literally been blasted to oblivion and all but two of its population taken hostage, the other towns are in ruins and the Shroobs have transformed Princess Peach's castle (the past version) into a home base for future conquests.
And it only gets worse from there. You've got Santa Claus being captured by aliens, Toads having their souls used as spaceship fuel and some strange being on Yoshi's Island feasting on Yoshis and using them in some sort of bioengineering facility. I'm telling you, this game is all kinds of messed up, and is made 'worse' by the fact every unfortunate event is witnessed on screen.
So that's the premise, as dark as it is.
Graphics
Graphics wise, Mario and Luigi Partners in Time looks pretty great. Okay, great in this sense means 'extremely detailed for a world blown apart by alien attacks', but it's still a massive upgrade from Superstar Saga on the visual front. Just look at these graphics:
It's definitely more modern and stylish than the likes of Pokemon, that's for sure.
However, there is one other interesting (and potentially negative) change with this game graphics wise, and that's how the characters seem a bit less... cartoon like than in the first game. Indeed, this was probably the first game in the Mario & Luigi series to take the step of making the cast look a lot like their traditional Mario series concept art rather than exagerrated sprites, so there's definitely a loss of 'uniqueness' as a result. But generally the game does look fantastic (or as least as good as it can with the gloomy settings present).
Music
Musically, Partners in Time is as good as any other title in the series. Okay, it's not upbeat like its predecessor or sequel, with very few of the tunes being catchy in the traditional Mario sense, but it really does give you a nice feeling of impending doom at every turn.
You've got the extremely depressing Toad Town theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cLcO4DK-xk
As well as the macabre remix of Jingle Bells used for Hollijolli Village:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb4bz4kkNhM
Above: A great piece of music to go along with an innocent population brutally attacked on Christmas eve.
In fact, I'd say in a lot of ways the 'apocalyptic' setting actually improved the game's soundtrack. Why? Because without the traditional 'Mario' style locations like the happy go lucky grass lands or such like, the composers had to come up with more interesting themes utilising unusual instrument combos and styles. Like this rather 'industrial' Vim Factory theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QmRjHH0RCc
Or the rather catchy yet different Thwomp Volcano theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Em0e5SdYs0
Heck, even the final boss and ending music has a very different tone compared to what you'd expect. After a 'dramatic' final boss piece? Too bad, have a slow piano piece that makes you look back at everything lost in your quest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DWzLMC9KiM
And the credits music isn't some cheery theme played to a parade or a montage of all the good moments that ocurred afterwards, but this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P28hBd9SLTo
That's remarkably sinister for a credits theme. Heck, even the credits themselves are quite 'gloomy' in this game, showing scenes of people running for their lives, the kingdom getting destroyed and Mario & Luigi fighting the final boss in a way that makes it look like a battle at the end of the world.
It's a very different soundtrack to your standard Mario one, but is fantastic in its own way. Definitely one of the best sets of music in the Mario series.
Gameplay
As far as gameplay goes, Mario & Luigi Partners in Time works much like Superstar Saga and Bowser's Inside Story. You've got various areas explored around the kingdom, and both pairs of Mario brothers learn different special abilities that can be used to bypass obstacles (like turning into a ball, spin jumping or being buried underground). So if you've ever played any other Mario & Luigi game in history, you'll immediately get the hang of this one.
In battle though, it's a bit different. You know how in Superstar Saga and Bowser's Inside Story you have bros attacks? Well you don't here, you just buy items that function the same way, with the BP thing being reduced to a plain old item inventory system. It's not a bad system (since the bros items work identically to the bros attacks from the other games), but it is something that's been heavily criticised by other fans, especially as your level makes no difference to how many items you can hold.
Other than bros items however, battles work as well as they always have. You get hammer and jump attacks to defeat enemies, you press the A or B button at the right point in time to do extra damage and you can dodge incoming attacks by either jumping out the way or hitting the enemy with a hammer. You know, standard stuff for a Mario and Luigi game.
So with that said, you may be wondering why certain people don't like the game so much. Well, let me put it this way. Exploration is basically non existant.
Yep, this is literally the most linear RPG ever made. Overworld? Doesn't exist, you can't just walk between areas at your own pace. Level design? Is fairly linear with a clear goal to reach rather than the maze like design found in other games. And sidequests? Do not exist at all.
In fact, the game's structure is pretty much best compared to a certain Zelda game, that being the Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword. You've got a giant empty overworld with main 'town' and people you reach portals from (Skyloft/Present day Peach's Castle), you've got different self contained areas you reach via portals (Faron Woods/Eldin Volcano, etc/Hollijolli Vilage, Toadswood Forest, etc) and the story is pretty much entirely guided by the storyline.
Above: Despite what you think, you can't walk between the places on this map. There's also ZERO other areas to explore that aren't shown here.
And in both cases, the fans didn't like the change in structure (probably due to how both Partners in Time and Skyward Sword came after the most 'non linear' games in the series).
Either way, you should keep in mind that this is not a game that allows much exploration or free will. But it's still a decent game in spite of this.
Another major difference between this and various other games in the series is the difficulty. It is kind of brutal. For instance, if you haven't been levelling up properly, Shroob Castle's most basic enemies will absolutely destroy you. And the final bosses? Can take an unprepared play about 2 or 3 hours to defeat due to how many different 'parts' have to be attacked and destroyed. Kind of like Paper Mario Sticker Star really (except with more personality in the characters).
Mario & Luigi Partners in Time is quite an entertaining game. It's not perfect, it does make some questionable design decisions (the linearity is a bit of a killer for an RPG), but it's still a perfectly good Mario RPG to play with all the classic gameplay found in the series. And hey, at least it doesn't completely screw it over for the sake of a gimmick like a certain other Mario RPG released in recent history...
Length/Replay Value
As far as length goes, Partners in Time is pretty good. Okay, it's not amazing like the first game (which introduced plot twist after plot twist to keep the story going for about twice the amount of hours you'd expect), but it's still got enough content to keep you going for a significant amount of time. And hey, the difficulty at least means you won't breeze through it.
It does have one issue though, and that's a lack of replay value. You see, as I said before, this is the most linear RPG Nintendo has ever made. You can't explore, sidequests don't exist, there are zero optional bosses, mini games or areas and there's not a whole lot of incentive to level up your characters past the point they can fight the final boss. So as a result, the game is pretty much a one time affair. Play the game, experience the story and locations, then put the game down never to touch it again. That might not please quite a few people, especially given how you've paid about 50 dollars for this title.
So how good is the length/replay value? Average. It'll entertain you for maybe about 15-20 hours as you play through the plot, but you'll then find near enough no reason to return to the game unless you want to replay the story again.
Humour
Mario & Luigi Partners in Time is pretty funny. Okay, it's not 'laugh a minute' like Bowser's Inside Story or Paper Mario 2, but that's simply because the very storyline doesn't really allow for it. Fawful only has a bit role after all. Still, it does have its moments, like the 1337 Hammer Bros:
AREA RESTRICTED. ALL NOOB INTRUDERS 2 B HAXORED BY US L33T HAMM3R BROZ.!
WE R TEH SHROOB ALLIES. WE ROXOR U AND THEN ROFL. THEN U AM CRY
And... other stuff I guess. Yeah, it's not exactly the most humorous of the Mario RPGs. Still, at least the lack of humour makes sense given the dire situation.
Overall
Mario & Luigi Partners in Time is a good game. Is it perfect? Not in the slightest. But it's still a really fun game to play with some solid gameplay (that doesn't deviate too much from Superstar Saga) and some fascinating settings and characters, so it's worth buying if you want to play the entire Mario & Luigi series as your preparation for Dream Team, or if you just want to see what a well designed 'dark' Mario game feels like.
I give it about 88%. Not perfect, but good enough for what it is. Buy it if you want a fun yet linear Mario RPG experience.
Quite possibly the darkest, most cynical game in the series, Mario & Luigi Partners in Time is quite literally one of the least upbeat Mario titles in the history of the franchise. Not only are the villains are so utterly horrible that they make Bowser or King Boo look like innocent little kittens by comparison, but the general tone is so damn depressing that nothing else can even compare.
So how good is the game then? Absolutely fantastic. Oh sure, it's linear to the point it'd make Skyward Sword or Metroid Other M look like Grand Theft Auto by comparison and it makes near enough zero use of the hardware except for graphics, but it's still a great game. And here's my review.
Premise
You read that bit about how dark the game is? Well I'll start off by saying that it's not an exaggeration. This is quite literally the most 'dark' Mario game ever released, to the point some parts of it could be taken wholesale and put in an M rated game with only minor changes.
The story revolves around a time machine experiment started by Professor E Gadd. Peach goes back in time to test it, and then finds the hard way that the kingdom has been invaded by the alien Shroobs, who have pretty much massacred much of the population and destroyed about half the kingdom. And then they capture Princess Peach, causing Mario and Luigi to have to go back in time to save her.
Above: Dying Toads, Luigi in tears... this is pretty much about as 'dark' as Mario gets.
In doing this, they team up with the baby selves to take down the evil aliens and save the kingdom. But it won't be easy. Toad Town has literally been blasted to oblivion and all but two of its population taken hostage, the other towns are in ruins and the Shroobs have transformed Princess Peach's castle (the past version) into a home base for future conquests.
And it only gets worse from there. You've got Santa Claus being captured by aliens, Toads having their souls used as spaceship fuel and some strange being on Yoshi's Island feasting on Yoshis and using them in some sort of bioengineering facility. I'm telling you, this game is all kinds of messed up, and is made 'worse' by the fact every unfortunate event is witnessed on screen.
So that's the premise, as dark as it is.
Graphics
Graphics wise, Mario and Luigi Partners in Time looks pretty great. Okay, great in this sense means 'extremely detailed for a world blown apart by alien attacks', but it's still a massive upgrade from Superstar Saga on the visual front. Just look at these graphics:
It's definitely more modern and stylish than the likes of Pokemon, that's for sure.
However, there is one other interesting (and potentially negative) change with this game graphics wise, and that's how the characters seem a bit less... cartoon like than in the first game. Indeed, this was probably the first game in the Mario & Luigi series to take the step of making the cast look a lot like their traditional Mario series concept art rather than exagerrated sprites, so there's definitely a loss of 'uniqueness' as a result. But generally the game does look fantastic (or as least as good as it can with the gloomy settings present).
Music
Musically, Partners in Time is as good as any other title in the series. Okay, it's not upbeat like its predecessor or sequel, with very few of the tunes being catchy in the traditional Mario sense, but it really does give you a nice feeling of impending doom at every turn.
You've got the extremely depressing Toad Town theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cLcO4DK-xk
As well as the macabre remix of Jingle Bells used for Hollijolli Village:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb4bz4kkNhM
Above: A great piece of music to go along with an innocent population brutally attacked on Christmas eve.
In fact, I'd say in a lot of ways the 'apocalyptic' setting actually improved the game's soundtrack. Why? Because without the traditional 'Mario' style locations like the happy go lucky grass lands or such like, the composers had to come up with more interesting themes utilising unusual instrument combos and styles. Like this rather 'industrial' Vim Factory theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QmRjHH0RCc
Or the rather catchy yet different Thwomp Volcano theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Em0e5SdYs0
Heck, even the final boss and ending music has a very different tone compared to what you'd expect. After a 'dramatic' final boss piece? Too bad, have a slow piano piece that makes you look back at everything lost in your quest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DWzLMC9KiM
And the credits music isn't some cheery theme played to a parade or a montage of all the good moments that ocurred afterwards, but this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P28hBd9SLTo
That's remarkably sinister for a credits theme. Heck, even the credits themselves are quite 'gloomy' in this game, showing scenes of people running for their lives, the kingdom getting destroyed and Mario & Luigi fighting the final boss in a way that makes it look like a battle at the end of the world.
It's a very different soundtrack to your standard Mario one, but is fantastic in its own way. Definitely one of the best sets of music in the Mario series.
Gameplay
As far as gameplay goes, Mario & Luigi Partners in Time works much like Superstar Saga and Bowser's Inside Story. You've got various areas explored around the kingdom, and both pairs of Mario brothers learn different special abilities that can be used to bypass obstacles (like turning into a ball, spin jumping or being buried underground). So if you've ever played any other Mario & Luigi game in history, you'll immediately get the hang of this one.
In battle though, it's a bit different. You know how in Superstar Saga and Bowser's Inside Story you have bros attacks? Well you don't here, you just buy items that function the same way, with the BP thing being reduced to a plain old item inventory system. It's not a bad system (since the bros items work identically to the bros attacks from the other games), but it is something that's been heavily criticised by other fans, especially as your level makes no difference to how many items you can hold.
Other than bros items however, battles work as well as they always have. You get hammer and jump attacks to defeat enemies, you press the A or B button at the right point in time to do extra damage and you can dodge incoming attacks by either jumping out the way or hitting the enemy with a hammer. You know, standard stuff for a Mario and Luigi game.
So with that said, you may be wondering why certain people don't like the game so much. Well, let me put it this way. Exploration is basically non existant.
Yep, this is literally the most linear RPG ever made. Overworld? Doesn't exist, you can't just walk between areas at your own pace. Level design? Is fairly linear with a clear goal to reach rather than the maze like design found in other games. And sidequests? Do not exist at all.
In fact, the game's structure is pretty much best compared to a certain Zelda game, that being the Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword. You've got a giant empty overworld with main 'town' and people you reach portals from (Skyloft/Present day Peach's Castle), you've got different self contained areas you reach via portals (Faron Woods/Eldin Volcano, etc/Hollijolli Vilage, Toadswood Forest, etc) and the story is pretty much entirely guided by the storyline.
Above: Despite what you think, you can't walk between the places on this map. There's also ZERO other areas to explore that aren't shown here.
And in both cases, the fans didn't like the change in structure (probably due to how both Partners in Time and Skyward Sword came after the most 'non linear' games in the series).
Either way, you should keep in mind that this is not a game that allows much exploration or free will. But it's still a decent game in spite of this.
Another major difference between this and various other games in the series is the difficulty. It is kind of brutal. For instance, if you haven't been levelling up properly, Shroob Castle's most basic enemies will absolutely destroy you. And the final bosses? Can take an unprepared play about 2 or 3 hours to defeat due to how many different 'parts' have to be attacked and destroyed. Kind of like Paper Mario Sticker Star really (except with more personality in the characters).
Mario & Luigi Partners in Time is quite an entertaining game. It's not perfect, it does make some questionable design decisions (the linearity is a bit of a killer for an RPG), but it's still a perfectly good Mario RPG to play with all the classic gameplay found in the series. And hey, at least it doesn't completely screw it over for the sake of a gimmick like a certain other Mario RPG released in recent history...
Length/Replay Value
As far as length goes, Partners in Time is pretty good. Okay, it's not amazing like the first game (which introduced plot twist after plot twist to keep the story going for about twice the amount of hours you'd expect), but it's still got enough content to keep you going for a significant amount of time. And hey, the difficulty at least means you won't breeze through it.
It does have one issue though, and that's a lack of replay value. You see, as I said before, this is the most linear RPG Nintendo has ever made. You can't explore, sidequests don't exist, there are zero optional bosses, mini games or areas and there's not a whole lot of incentive to level up your characters past the point they can fight the final boss. So as a result, the game is pretty much a one time affair. Play the game, experience the story and locations, then put the game down never to touch it again. That might not please quite a few people, especially given how you've paid about 50 dollars for this title.
So how good is the length/replay value? Average. It'll entertain you for maybe about 15-20 hours as you play through the plot, but you'll then find near enough no reason to return to the game unless you want to replay the story again.
Humour
Mario & Luigi Partners in Time is pretty funny. Okay, it's not 'laugh a minute' like Bowser's Inside Story or Paper Mario 2, but that's simply because the very storyline doesn't really allow for it. Fawful only has a bit role after all. Still, it does have its moments, like the 1337 Hammer Bros:
AREA RESTRICTED. ALL NOOB INTRUDERS 2 B HAXORED BY US L33T HAMM3R BROZ.!
WE R TEH SHROOB ALLIES. WE ROXOR U AND THEN ROFL. THEN U AM CRY
And... other stuff I guess. Yeah, it's not exactly the most humorous of the Mario RPGs. Still, at least the lack of humour makes sense given the dire situation.
Overall
Mario & Luigi Partners in Time is a good game. Is it perfect? Not in the slightest. But it's still a really fun game to play with some solid gameplay (that doesn't deviate too much from Superstar Saga) and some fascinating settings and characters, so it's worth buying if you want to play the entire Mario & Luigi series as your preparation for Dream Team, or if you just want to see what a well designed 'dark' Mario game feels like.
I give it about 88%. Not perfect, but good enough for what it is. Buy it if you want a fun yet linear Mario RPG experience.
