Mario Galaxy 2: A Review

Image by Elger van der Wel via Flickr

Ah, Mario. One of the best platforming games since the NES was released. Its simplicity and little storyline was brilliant, as well as the music and gameplay. Years later, Mario Galaxy followed along that same formula, but being creative with a revamped physics engine.

Galaxy 2 is, obviously, a sequel to the first one, but the plot follows along in a parallel universe in which you head to Peach’s Castle at the star festival, like the first one, but different things happen. A giant Bowser appears and runs of with Peach. No big surprises in the storyline as yet. So then you blast off into space just like you did 500 thousand times in the first one, and off the game goes.

So the gameplay is similar to the first one, with you jumping from planet to planet to finally reach the Power Star. 70 stars will finish the game. Getting the first star requires you to beat the boss, and then you are taken to a world map of sorts.

How is Galaxy 2 different to the first one?

I’m glad you asked. Galaxy 2 contains many new levels (Galaxies), and the plot is different.

Oh, and I forgot to mention Yoshi.

It also includes new power-ups and music.

So you have the awesomeness of Galaxy 1, and added Yoshi. Brilliant.

Power Ups- Old and New

New Power-ups

Cloud Flower: Shaking the remote places a cloud below you (max 3), and lets you stand on other clouds without falling through. Great fun and really opens up some levels. Not to mention good at saving your bacon when you fall of the edge.

Rock Flower: Shaking the remote lets you bash through all kinds of things, rolling along causing chaos. It has the perfect balance between control and insanity.

Drill Mario: Lets you drill through dirt and go to the other side. Really good for the 2d platforming levels.

Yoshi Power-ups

Blimp Yoshi: Fills up like a balloon and then blows the air out, pushing you upwards. Not the best power-up, but still good fun.

Dash Yoshi: Great fun. Yoshi runs along at a great speed, allowing you to run straight up walls and over water.

Light Yoshi (I think that is the name of the power-up :S): Yoshi is a moving light bulb and reveals hidden paths. It runs out though.

Old Power-Ups Returning

Bee Mario: Hold A to fly. Personally I think back-flips are better, but flying is still fun.

Fire Mario: Wait… You don’t know what this is? Get out. Now.

Boo Mario: Boo Mario can float and go through some walls. A blast, and a real pity it is only in one level.

Spring Mario: Yuck. Thankfully it is only in one level this time.

My Rating

Music: 10

Gameplay: 9

Creativity: 10

Graphics: 8

Other: 9

Total: 47/50

My rage moment for Today

Gah.
Well, today I felt like finishing Mario Galaxy 2
So, I got the extra 30 stars I needed to get to the final galaxy (level). Finished the final galaxy easily, but then you have to do it again… without getting hit. No checkpoints, just all the way through.

So, about half an hour and about 20 lives less later, I get to the last bit. Three Boomerang Bros face me. I dispatch two and send the third flying. I go to finish off the third one… and my remote battery dies. Yes. Normally the wii will pause the game for you, but mine doesn’t for some reason. So while I hurry around looking for more batteries, the Bro gets up again and slices me in two.

Aaand I’m done. <_<