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Mario & Luigi: Brothership

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Mario & Luigi: Brothership
Item: Mario & Luigi: Brothership
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2024

GenresAdventure, Action, Platformer, Comedy, Side View Perspective, RPG, Top-Down Perspective, Anime and JRPG, Single Player

AvailableNov 7, 2024

PlatformNintendo Switch

DeveloperAcquire

Overview

The brothers return for a brand new adventure on the high seas! Set sail with Mario and Luigi on Shipshape Island (part ship, part island) and journey through the vast world of Concordia. Launch out of Shipshape’s cannon to visit, explore, and quest your way through islands that range from tropical rainforests to bustling cities. Meet new friends along the way, like Connie and Snoutlet (who's definitely not a pig), and encounter familiar faces from the Mushroom Kingdom like Peach and Bowser, who may help you on your journey! You’ll have to rely on Mario and Luigi’s brotherly bond to succeed. Use Bros. Moves to get past obstacles while you explore, and powerful Bros. Attacks in a dynamic twist on turn-based combat. You’ll need every edge this 'brothership' will give you to save the day!

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Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

59%

Mixed (50-79)

41%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The story of Mario & Luigi: Brothership has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Several reviewers praised the charming and family-friendly narrative that focuses on themes of friendship, connection, and brotherly bond. Critics like My Nintendo News and Vooks appreciated the captivating and well-written characters, with Vooks specifically highlighting the humor and charm present in the storytelling. The narrative was also commended for its engaging character moments, clever writing, and strong thematic material, as noted by Twinfinite, which elevated the story beyond the typical Mario game experience. On the other hand, some critics expressed concerns about the execution and pacing of the story in Mario & Luigi: Brothership. Checkpoint Gaming and God is a Geek criticized the excessive dialogue and repetitive nature of the narrative, with Checkpoint Gaming feeling that the story was overly large for its basic premise. COGconnected found the execution of the premise to be dull, indicating a disconnect between the fascinating concept of drifting islands held together by energy tethers and its actual portrayal in the game. Wccftech also pointed out that while the plot had some novel elements, it lacked captivating elements and featured predictable twists, such as a stock villain. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the story of Mario & Luigi: Brothership leans towards the positive side, with many appreciating the game's emphasis on themes of friendship, connection, and humor. The narrative's focus on the power of interpersonal connections, as highlighted by Metro GameCentral, was seen as a unique and engaging aspect of the storytelling. While there were criticisms regarding pacing, execution, and predictability in the plot, the majority of reviewers found the story to be charming, well-written, and a refreshing addition to the Mario & Luigi series.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics are divided on Mario & Luigi: Brothership's story. Some praise its charming narrative about friendship and brotherly bonds, well-written characters, and engaging themes. However, others criticize its pacing, excessive dialogue, and lackluster execution of unique concepts. Despite flaws, most reviewers appreciate the game's focus on humor and connections, making it a refreshing addition to the Mario & Luigi series.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

88%

Mixed (50-79)

12%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The majority of critics praised the gameplay of Mario & Luigi: Brothership for its engaging and varied mechanics. CGMagazine highlighted the linear structure with Ship Shape Island exploration, Western RPG mechanics, and optional side-quests, adding depth to the gameplay experience. Checkpoint Gaming appreciated the turn-based battles with active elements, gear customization, and consequences for choices, as well as the rewarding nature of Battle Plugs for experimentation. Daily Star and Metro GameCentral noted the combination of platforming, puzzles, and engaging combat mechanics, providing a traditional RPG experience with unique abilities and brotherly-themed moves. On the downside, some critics expressed concerns about certain aspects of the gameplay. COGconnected found traversal to be floaty and puzzles frustrating, which may hinder the overall experience for some players. Checkpoint Gaming mentioned that the Bros. Moves, while adding variety, could feel clunky and contribute to slow pacing due to backtracking, potentially affecting the flow of the game. However, these criticisms were relatively minor compared to the overall positive reception of the gameplay. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the gameplay of Mario & Luigi: Brothership. Critics like Multiplayer.it praised the mix of turn-based combat, environmental puzzles, and platforming elements, while Twinfinite highlighted the dynamic and exciting turn-based battle system with challenging boss battles. The blend of familiar Mario RPG mechanics with new elements like Battle Plugs and Bros. Moves was well-received by reviewers like Vooks, showcasing a balance between nostalgia and innovation. The game successfully delivers an engaging and immersive gameplay experience that caters to both hardcore RPG fans and newcomers, making it a standout title on the Nintendo Switch.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics love Mario & Luigi: Brothership for its engaging gameplay mechanics like turn-based battles, platforming, and puzzles. They praised the mix of traditional RPG elements with new features like Battle Plugs and Bros. Moves. Despite minor criticisms about floaty traversal and clunky Bros. Moves, the game offers a rewarding and immersive experience that appeals to both RPG veterans and newcomers on the Nintendo Switch.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

75%

Mixed (50-79)

25%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Mario & Luigi: Brothership are overwhelmingly positive. CGMagazine praises the stunning aesthetic with a cartoonish, cel-shaded look and unique visual theming of Concordia based on electrical appliances. GamesHub highlights the expressive character designs and diverse island themes with standout animation work. God is a Geek commends the beautiful painterly cel-shaded style with attention to detail, particularly noting the character design and animations that stand out. Multiplayer.it lauds the game for its vibrant colors, detailed animations, and dynamic camera angles, emphasizing the successful choice of fixed but dynamic camera angle that enhances the player's experience. The visuals are described as vibrant, colorful, and visually appealing, with lush colors that bring the game to life, creating a visually engaging experience for players. While the majority of critics praise the graphics and visual design of Mario & Luigi: Brothership, there are some concerns raised by a few reviewers. Checkpoint Gaming notes that the electrical theme can make character designs less distinguishable from each other, impacting the overall clarity of the visuals. Metro GameCentral criticizes the game for poor texture work and a shaky frame rate, highlighting areas where the graphics fall short of expectations. TheSixthAxis expresses concerns about lower texture detail and visual quality on TV compared to handheld play, indicating potential inconsistencies in the visual experience depending on the platform. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Mario & Luigi: Brothership excels in its graphics and visual design, offering a visually stunning and engaging experience for players. The game is praised for its vibrant colors, creative character designs, diverse island themes, and detailed animations. While there are some minor issues raised by a few critics regarding texture detail, character distinguishability, and technical aspects like frame rate, the positive aspects of the visuals outweigh these concerns. The game's unique art style, attention to detail, and creative level design contribute to a visually appealing and immersive gaming experience, making it a standout title on the Nintendo Switch platform.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics overwhelmingly praise Mario & Luigi: Brothership for its stunning graphics and visual design, including vibrant colors, creative character designs, and detailed animations. However, some reviewers express concerns about character distinguishability and technical issues like poor texture work and frame rate. Overall, the game offers a visually engaging experience with a unique art style and creative level design, standing out on the Nintendo Switch platform.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

100%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of Mario & Luigi: Brothership received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics. CGMagazine praised the "banging soundtrack with various genres depending on island theme," highlighting the funky jazz battle theme that added intensity to the gameplay. Twinfinite also commended the uplifting score, mentioning delightful ship and unique island themes that enhanced the narrative and emotional weight of flashback cutscenes. Wccftech further supported the positive sentiment by praising the soundtrack for being lively and enjoyable, contributing significantly to the overall experience of the game. Despite the general consensus on the excellence of the Sound Design and Music in Mario & Luigi: Brothership, there were a few minor criticisms raised by some critics. Shacknews noted some odd sound mixing during standard combat, which slightly detracted from the overall experience. While this was a minor issue, it is worth mentioning as it shows that there were some inconsistencies in the sound design that could have been improved upon. Overall, the critics' opinions align in their praise for the Sound Design and Music of Mario & Luigi: Brothership. The majority of reviewers, including God is a Geek, Inverse, and Multiplayer.it, highlighted the exceptional quality of the music and sound design, with specific mentions of how it enhanced the atmosphere, gameplay experience, and emotional depth of the game. Despite a few minor flaws mentioned by Shacknews, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing the significant contribution of the sound design and music to the overall success and enjoyment of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

TLDR: Critics widely laud the music and sound design of Mario & Luigi: Brothership for its diverse soundtrack, intense battle themes, and emotional depth. While some minor sound mixing issues were noted, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the significant impact of the sound design on the game's success and enjoyment.

Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

13%

Mixed (50-79)

75%

Negative (0-49)

13%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance of Mario & Luigi: Brothership on the Nintendo Switch, several critics highlighted positive aspects. PlaySense commended the stable performance with a dynamic resolution and smooth framerate, while Vooks mentioned that the game runs smoothly with minimal issues, showcasing good overall performance. Despite some minor inconveniences like loading times into battles and between islands, the general consensus among reviewers like Multiplayer.it leans towards a positive technical performance on the Nintendo Switch. However, there were notable negative aspects mentioned by critics regarding the technical performance on the Nintendo Switch. COGconnected pointed out frequent loading screens that hindered the gameplay experience, while Metro GameCentral criticized the basic visuals, poor texture work, and unstable frame rate, which affected the overall experience. Twinfinite highlighted issues such as slow loading in and out of battles, stuttery framerate in populated areas, and unskippable animations for attacks, suggesting that improvements in hardware and animation options could enhance the gameplay. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the technical performance of Mario & Luigi: Brothership on the Nintendo Switch is mixed. While some reviewers appreciated the stable performance and smooth gameplay experience, others raised concerns about loading times, frame rate issues, and unskippable animations. It is evident that there are areas for improvement in terms of optimization and technical polish to provide a more seamless and enjoyable gaming experience for players on the Nintendo Switch.

TL;DR

technical performance

Mario & Luigi: Brothership on the Nintendo Switch received praise for stable performance and smooth gameplay, but critics also noted issues like frequent loading screens and frame rate problems. The game's technical performance has a mixed reception, with some calling for improvements in optimization and visuals to enhance the overall gaming experience.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

46%

Mixed (50-79)

54%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Mario & Luigi: Brothership highlight several positive aspects. CGMagazine and Multiplayer.it appreciate the optional side-quests, unique exploration mechanics, and engaging combat setups that contribute to the game's replayability. Inverse and Metro GameCentral also mention the significant amount of content, mini-games, side quests, and varied quests that provide players with ample opportunities to revisit the game. My Nintendo News praises the engaging mechanics and resource management that offer over 30 hours of gameplay, adding to the replay value. On the other hand, some critics point out potential negatives that may impact the replay value of Mario & Luigi: Brothership. Checkpoint Gaming mentions the slow pacing and backtracking as factors that could hinder replayability. God is a Geek expresses concerns about the repetitive nature of the gameplay that might limit long-term replayability. Twinfinite highlights small annoyances like slow loading and unskippable animations that could potentially detract from the overall replay value of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards the game offering a substantial amount of content, engaging mechanics, and various systems that cater to different types of players, ultimately enhancing its replay value. While some critics acknowledge potential drawbacks such as repetitive gameplay elements and minor annoyances, the majority appreciate the diverse gameplay mechanics, side quests, and decision-making aspects that contribute to the overall replayability of Mario & Luigi: Brothership. Critics like Inverse, Multiplayer.it, and Vooks emphasize the variety of collectibles, side missions, and alternative paths that enhance the replay value, making it a game worth revisiting for fans of the genre.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Mario & Luigi: Brothership for its engaging combat, optional side-quests, and abundant content that enhance replay value. Some note drawbacks like slow pacing and repetitive gameplay, but overall, the game's diverse mechanics and variety of quests make it worth revisiting for fans of the genre.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

64%

Mixed (50-79)

36%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics, it is evident that there are several positive aspects highlighted in their reviews of Mario & Luigi: Brothership. Critics such as GamesHub and Vooks praise the game for its strong themes, art direction, engaging combat system, and overall cohesive game design, which contribute to a delightful and enjoyable experience. The game is commended for its charming visuals, solid gameplay mechanics, and well-crafted story with thematic depth, as noted by Twinfinite. Additionally, critics like My Nintendo News and Inverse appreciate the captivating narrative, creative level design, and heartwarming story that cater to both new and existing fans of the series, showcasing the game's ability to provide a memorable and authentic experience while staying true to the franchise's legacy. On the flip side, some critics point out certain negative aspects of Mario & Luigi: Brothership that detract from its overall appeal. COGconnected mentions frustrating puzzles, loading issues, and repetitive boss fights as drawbacks to an otherwise well-crafted game with solid mechanics. God is a Geek highlights over-explaining, repetition, and occasional frustrating moments as areas where the game falls short despite its lovely and fun experience. Wccftech also notes shortcomings in writing and pacing, indicating room for improvement in these aspects of the game's design. These criticisms suggest that while Mario & Luigi: Brothership excels in many areas, there are still some areas that could be refined to enhance the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the majority of critics express a positive reception towards Mario & Luigi: Brothership, considering it a very good addition to the Mario & Luigi series. The game is praised for its engaging gameplay, captivating narrative, charming visuals, and cohesive design, making it a joy to play for both newcomers and long-term fans of Mario RPGs. Despite some minor flaws and criticisms, the consensus among the critics is that Mario & Luigi: Brothership successfully delivers an endearing RPG experience that offers constant entertainment, heartfelt storytelling, and a solid gameplay foundation. The game's ability to blend modern gameplay elements with traditional series features while maintaining the franchise's legacy is widely appreciated, solidifying its position as a standout title in the Mario RPG universe.

TL;DR

Critics love Mario & Luigi: Brothership for its strong themes, art direction, engaging combat, and cohesive design, offering a delightful experience. While some criticize its frustrating puzzles and pacing issues, overall, it's praised for its captivating narrative, charming visuals, and ability to cater to both new and old fans, making it a standout addition to the Mario RPG series.

CRITIK

Reviews

124 reviews found

Vooks

Nintendo Switch

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a joy to play and an excellent addition to the Mario & Luigi series, recommended for both newcomers and long-term fans of Mario RPGs.

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Twinfinite

Nintendo Switch

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Mario & Luigi Brothership is a glorious return for the series, offering constant entertainment, engaging gameplay, and a well-crafted story with thematic depth. Small complaints like over-tutorialization do little to detract from the overall experience.

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GamesHub

Nintendo Switch

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

An absolute delight with strong themes, art direction, dynamic combat, and cohesive game design, living up to the franchise's legacy.

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Shacknews

Nintendo Switch

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Mario & Luigi: Brothership stands among the best Mario RPGs with its heartfelt story, lovable characters, and deeper combat system, offering a highly enjoyable experience.

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My Nintendo News

Nintendo Switch

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is praised as an exceptional adventure with captivating narrative, engaging gameplay, and a boatload of fun, recommended for both new and existing fans of the series.

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CGMagazine

Nintendo Switch

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a fantastic new adventure for the beloved brothers, offering modern gameplay while staying true to the series. Memorable and authentic, though may not replace previous favorites in the series.

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Multiplayer.it

Nintendo Switch

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is praised as a standout RPG title with a brilliant gameplay mix, charming visuals, and engaging combat system. Despite some technical issues and minor flaws, it is considered a must-play for fans of the series and those who appreciate Nintendo's style.

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PlaySense

Nintendo Switch

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Mario & Luigi: Brothership revives a beloved franchise with engaging gameplay, a gradually unfolding story, and visually appealing designs, despite some initial pacing issues.

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The New York Times

Nintendo Switch

Nov 4, 2024

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Mario & Luigi: Brothership offers a compelling gameplay experience with a unique story and vibrant visuals, making it an enjoyable adventure for players.

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Daily Star

Nintendo Switch

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game receives a verdict of 4 out of 5, indicating a positive reception overall.

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