Paper Mario Concluding Review

To start I really enjoyed Paper Mario, and I really look forward to further games in the series. The game play was really enjoyable for me.

Fighting - Some people don't like turn based fighting and prefer more action based mobile fighting style. I enjoy both but especially in this game turn based just seems a bit more fun. In the beginning Mario could only do one hit with either his jump or hammer attacks but over the course of the game he was able to do at least two jumps and stronger strikes of his hammer, and the commands were more interactive and required timing which made it a bit more exciting in battle. Then counting the various companions that Mario picks up along the way, item attacks, and Star Powers, there are countless combinations to use in battle to quickly dispatch those rogue Koopas or Lakitus. So in short I really enjoy the battle style and correct me if I am wrong but this was the first Mario game to use such battle style and it was then used in games such as the later Paper Mario games and the Mario & Luigi series.

Badges - The Badge system is pretty fun, and adds more to the game. Badges are items that can be found, bought, or are gifts from various NPCs; that add special moves or stats to Mario. One of Mario's stats he can level up per level is BP or badge points, each badge takes a certain amount of BP to equip. The fun thing about leveling up BP more than health or FP (what is used for special moves) that there are badges that can add more HP or FP. Badges also can increase the amount of damage Mario does on regular attacks or decreases damage taken. Move badges range from just stronger Jump attacks to Jump attacks that can continue until the command is missed, or a hammer charge that makes the next hammer attack stronger.
 My favorite two badges are Zap Tap and Mega Quake. The Zap Tap badge makes it where physical attacks on Mario damage the enemy for one hit, which is fun with Fuzzies the enemies that attach to Mario and suck HP but what is fun is Zap Tap stops that and Fuzzies can't even touch Mario. Mega quake and Quake badges in general are fun because it allows a hammer move that hits all enemies on the floor and roof.

Star Pieces - Star Pieces are collectable items in the game scattered throughout. They can be in trees or underwater or a prize from a quest. The most prevalent of quests is the mail one with Parakarry, when you first meet him you find three letters and can find more in various places, when you deliver them you either receive a Star Piece or another letter and continue the chain. Other quests are the quests of Koopa Koot the elder of Koopa Village he sends you on errands and normally rewards you with the fantastic amount of one coin, but sometimes he gives you three whole Star Pieces. Star Pieces can be traded for Badges but I never really did that I just enjoyed collecting them and spent quite a lot of my game time on it.

There are many other awesome features of the game that are not coming to mind, but I hope if you ever have the pleasure to play it you can explore everything.

Paper Mario chapter 8

After saving the 7th Star Spirit he tells you to return to Falling Star Summit to speak to the Star Spirits, when there the conjure a road to Star Haven. I quickly traveled the road and entered Star Haven after talking to the Star Kids and resting a bit I went to the town hall of sorts where the Star Spirits normally grant wishes with the Star Rod. There they worked together to give me a power that counteracts Bowser's use of the Star Rod and a vehicle to use to get to his flying castle. The castle as you would imagine was highly guarded and large. It consisted of three large portions each having a talking gate to impress. Each gate would make a bargain thinking that I could never do it, but to his dismay I did. Like escaping from the dungeon. While making my way through the castle I rescued the various citizens that have been locked in the castle like Princess Peach's Minister. Soon I reached the end of Bowser's castle and the entrance to Princess Peach's, luckily the doors PP has unlocked earlier in the game are still unlocked so I just had to go to the balcony where Bowser was waiting, after healing and making sure I had plenty of items. Even without activating the Star Rod Bowser is really strong and has a lot of health. So I went in strong using Star Powers and my friends' abilities especially Watt's being that it does damage through Bowser's tough defense. Soon Bowser tries to use the Star Rod to become invincible, but I counter it with the Star Beam. Then continue trudging through, soon Bowser seems defeated. But then Cammy Koopa reveals a fail safe machine that makes Bowser even stronger. With this new strength even the Star Beam can't weaken Bowser.  Princess Peach and Twink fight Cammy Koopa at first Twink's attacks do almost nothing but each turn PP wishes and gives Twink power. After defeating Cammy Twink suggests that Peach and everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom do the same for the Star Spirits, with their new found power the Star Spirits can now do a stronger beam which they call the Peach Beam. With that the battle is no longer so one sided so I finally defeated Bowser with defeat the machine malfunctioned and blew up along with Bowser's castle the Star Spirits rescue the group and Peach's Castle. After thanking me and my friends, and don't forget brave Twink, the Star Spirits return to Star Haven with the Star Rod. A few days later we see what everyone is doing while Parakarry delivers their invitations to a party at Peach's castle. The game ends after Peach gives a heart warming speach about her rescue and peace that the Kingdom will now endure.

Paper Mario chapter 7

A distress call comes from Starborn Valley in the far north. Heading Merlon's instructions I went to the sewers and found the pipe to Shiver City. After exploring Shiver City and visit the Mayor's house the Mayor's wife lets me in and tells me I can see her husband in his office in the back. I go in and find him on floor with a note that says Herringway. The wife comes in and calls the authorities accusing me of murder. I cooperate with the sheriff and investigate to clear my name, I eventually find Herringway the famous mystery author he and I return the Mayor's house and it ends up that while picking up a present for Herringway the Mayor fell and got knocked out. After that I was able to leave the city and head towards Starborn Valley. There I met with Merlon's son and learned of the Star Kid's plight. After Bowser stole the Star Rod the Star Kids can no longer ascend to Star Haven, they plea for me to rescue the last Star Spirit in Crystal Palace, and gives me a heirloom that combined with the Mayor's will unlock the pathway; it was a Scarf. I head back to Shiver City and receive a bucket from the Mayor. On the snowy path between Star Valley and Shiver City there are a line of snowmen but one has no scarf and without a bucket after placing the items on them the snowmen thank me and open the path. I continue on to Crystal Palace and after solving puzzles and fighting enemies that take shape of my teammates and figuring out various mirror rooms I find the final chamber and fight the Crystal King. His defenses were high and he attacked with many small crystal things but I defeated him and finally rescued all 7 Star Spirits.

Paper Mario chapter 6

The next Star Spirit was in Flower Fields so I had to get the last Magic Seed to open the door to it from Toad Town. When in FF the elder and largest tree explains how Huff N. Puff has blocked the sun out and all the citizens of FF are in danger. Firstly I had to find a way to get to HNP's hideout high in the clouds. I was suggested to get a magic beanstalk seed. After retrieving the seed I then needed water, soil, and sunlight for it to grow. To get to the other parts of FF I had to give the flower guards a berry matching their color or type. The soil was easy enough to get, but when going to get water it is revealed that the spring has been dried up and a special jewel is need to start it up again. Soon I approached a hedge maze and wittinessed two Lakitus looking for the Jewel, after defeating them and going through the maze I meet a rose who has the jewel and will not release it with out something in return. I go and get a Crystal Berry from the flower with the soil and trade it for the water jewel, then I star the spring up and the lily gives me some water. The sun is till not out so I went to his tower to try and get him up he was too depressed from the clouds blocking him so I had to set off to destroy HNP's machine. On the way I encounter a Lakitu named Lakilester aka Spike, he fights me and afterwards decides to join us, he can carry Mario over lava and spiky terrain. With his help I was able to get to the machine and destroy it. Then I planted the seed and traveled up the stalk. HNP was a strong boss and every time he took damage he would  sprout smaller clouds that would attack or get consumed by him for HP. After defeating him the 6th Star Spirit was saved.

Paper Mario chapter five

The next Star Spirit is being held in Lavalava Volcano on Lavalava Island which is quite a long distance to the south of Toad Town. The problem being how to get their no boat goes that far, so I went to the pier to do some sleuthing. Their I found the explorer Kolorodo Koopa who was wanting to explore the same place. There was something floating in the water, I jumped on it and it revealed it as a whale or as Kolorodo said a large tuna. I helped clear its stomach and it said it would help me go to the island. Soon we arrived and crossed the beach facing jungle fuzzies and various enemies to Yoshi village. Soon after arriving and deeming that it is not possible to get into the volcano, the Yoshi children wonder into the jungle. I go in help get their baby sitter the Cheep Cheep Sushie from a tree and rescue the five Yoshi children. Sushie then joins my team so I can now rider her in the water from a dock. The Yoshi chief in thanks gives me a jade raven to unlock the jungle further. I then find the master of the Island who helps me get into the volcano. When entering a Piranha plant gives of a warning of us intruders. I continue further in with Kolorodo in toll finally reaching the final chamber where a Lava Piranha is waiting. After fighting the giant flower twice, he comes back up with flames making it harder to jump attack, I finally rescue the fifth Star Spirit, but celebration comes later the lava is rising and we must escape, the Star Spirit grabs us up and lifts us through the volcano. She then gives Mario a new Star Power which heals him by 20.

Paper Mario chapter four

According to Peach's research the 4th Star Spirit is the Shy Guy's Toy Box, but we have no idea where it is. On my return to Toad Town I witnessed uproar caused by rampaging Shy Guys, stealing things, trampling gardens, stalling trains, and even bothering Luigi! After following the Shy Guys into an empty house and going invisible so they would reveal the toy box I went in after them. The toy box was separated into four train stations, but the toy train was no where to be found. The trick to getting farther in each section was to find a Shy Guy who stole something and return it to it's owner therefore receiving an item to unlock further areas. For example, the storage key for the shop, the toy train; Tayce T's frying pan, cake to feed Gourmet Guy to get him to unblock the path. After various missions like that I finally got to the last quadrant. There I entered a dark room and was greeted by a cloaked figure with a lantern, he proclaimed that I was ruining his darkness and attacked. The trick to the battle was to hit the lantern to spread the light so I could target the enemy. I soon learned to use Lady Bow to slap the lantern because she can hit 5 seperate times. Soon I defeated him and befriended the creature that was in the lantern, Watt. Watt can light up dark areas and use his shocking attacks to pierce enemies defenses. After that it was on to finally rescue the Star Spirit. The Shy Guy general was waiting for me with various Shy Guys. After I bested his forces he came out with his toy tank which had high defense and a light bulb which flashed and attacked Mario and his teammates. After taking out the light bulb I used Watt to quickly take out the tank. With that the fourth Star Spirit was saved and with that another ability which lowers the enemies attack power by 3, pretty useful.

Paper Mario chapter three

Before starting the chapter proper I went around delivering mail with Parakarry, it started with just three letters then the recipients would start to give me more letters and eventually I spent hours delivering mail. It was cool though the traveling between towns allowed me to train more. When I exhausted the letters I finally went East to the Forever Forest to rescue the third Star Spirit. At the entrance to the forest a Boo butler or Bootler meets the me and instructs me to travel to Boo Mansion and talk to Lady Bow. The forest teaming with Fuzzies and Piranha Plants was also puzzle like, if I went the wrong direction I ended up at the entrance, after braving the forest I finally found Boo Mansion and had to pass a couple tests set by the Lady of the mansion to get to the third floor. The third floor could be reached through a portrait but the portrait was gone from the frame. I had to get multiple items and use them in various fashions to get to the portrait, along the way getting the super boots increasing Mario's jump damage. Lady Bow introduces her self and her problem: Tubba Blubba is eating Boos and she wants Mario to find his weakness and defeat him. If Mario succeeds she will release the Star Spirit she caught as he was trying to flee Tubba Bubba. Mario agrees to her terms and Bow joins the team.

We then head to Gusty Gulch after making sure all the items in the forest have been found. At the bottom of the hill lies a locked wind mill, then abandoned huts which a group of Boos hang out. After speaking to the Boos and learning more about Tubba Bubba I witness a Boo get eaten by him. Then we continue up the hill to his castle. In the castle it was important to use Bow's ability to turn herself and Mario invisible to fool the guards and find the keys to get to the top floor. There I had to sneak past Tubba Bubba and get the key to Windy Mill where it is rumored TB's secret is hidden. But the key screams awakening TB and the race is on to get out of the castle, once out the Boos hold the door while I continue to run to Windy Mill unlock it and spin jump to get to the hidden area. Inside is TB's heart who explains how TB is invincible while separated from the heart. The heart is a worthy foe with 50 hp and very strong attacks but using Bow's ability to hide from the strong attacks I was able to get him down to almost nothing then he fled. Joining his body, I fought him again quickly defeating him. He then releases all the Boos he ate, and Bow released the Third Star Spirit. He gave me a new star power which attacks all enemies then returned to Star Haven.

Paper Mario chapter two

Shortly after freeing the first Star Spirit Princess Peach discovers that the next one is being held in the Dry Dry Ruins which are somewhere in the Dry Dry Desert. She has the star kid Twink tell Mario and friends the location. I personally went back in forth between towns collecting star pieces and badges I could not get before with the help of my new friends before clearing the debris blocking the train. Then it is of to the desert after hiking through a mountain and helping the mail Parakoopa Parakarry who then joins the team and can carry Mario across small gaps. When we finally reached the desert we are directed to go to the Outpost, when I got to the Outpost I talked to almost everyone to learn as much of the desert as possible. Like the location of the Oasis and places to get various badges and whatnot. After giving the information trader a lemon from the oasis he helps you find the secret leader of the Outpost which ends up being him.  He gives you an item which helps you find and unearth the Ruins. Braving the desert again and after fighting countless bandits and cacti I find the ruins, save and enter them. The ruins are home to similar but slightly stronger enemies and the boss Tutankoopa. After puzzles and finding a stronger hammer to break the stone blocks, I found the boss. He uses magic and throws koopa shells from a ledge while commanding Chomps to attack I defeated him by using my special hammer ability to attack both enemies at once and wore him out quick. Soon the second Star Spirit was saved and bestowed upon me a new star power to put enemies asleep. She leaves back to Star Haven and Princess Peach learns about the next location and boss and tries to figure out his weakness. That is the end of chapter 2.

Paper Mario Chapter one

So I continued to play Paper Mario today. I actually started the main story Chapter 1 in which Mario must travel from Toad Town to the Koopa Bros fortress and rescue the first Star Spirit. The battle style gets a bit more interactive with the introduction of action commands which allow Mario to do more damage and mitigate the damage dealt to him. On the way to the fortress Mario is joined by another, now Goombario and Kooper are on his side. Mario can kick the young koopa across gaps to reach out of range items and Kooper has an ability that can attack all enemies at once. After freeing Koopa village from a Fuzzie infestation the group continues on to the fortress, inside Mario must find keys hidden by the four Koopa Bros to reach final chamber, eventually Mario falls for a trap and lands in a containment cell with Bob-ombs that the Koopa Bros feared were going to revolt. Mario then teams up with Bombette and escapes, with her he can destroy parts of walls and cracked boulders to get to certain places. Soon we reach the top and must battle the Bros in their Bowser look-alike machine, after destroying the machine you must pick off the four Koopas. After defeating them the first Star Spirit is rescued he gives Mario a new power which is powered by Star points this new ability is Refresh and heals 5 health and Flower points which are what abilities are powered by.

Paper Mario

Today I started to play Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64 luckily it worked the first time I tried to play it. I have never played a Paper Mario game other than the one for the Wii which I thoroughly enjoyed so naturally I wanted to play this one. The game play is similar without some of the newer features but still very fun. The story starts with a party thrown by Princess Peach when Mario finally reaches the princess the castle shakes and is lifted into the air by Bowser's castle. Then Bowser with the help of a stolen Star rod defeats Mario and throws him out of the castle, then the star spirits ask for Mario's help to save the princess. Mario soon leaves out with the help of a young goomba. That is where I am now, I would have gotten farther but my 64 started acting up hopefully I can continue with it later.