An Honest Review of Mario And Luigi: Brothership
Mario and Luigi Brothership is a solid entry in the Mario & Luigi RPG series, but it doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessors, such as Superstar Saga and Bowser's Inside Story. While it still retains the franchise's signature charm, humor, and engaging turn-based combat, a few aspects prevent it from being a standout game in this incredible franchise.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The core gameplay in Brothership follows the familiar formula of controlling Mario and Luigi in tandem, with each brother performing different actions and having separate moves. The battle system is fantastic; The game successfully implements new combo attacks between the brothers such as the “Thunder Dynamo,” where the player must hit the “A” and “B” buttons in rapid succession to unleash a game-breaking lightning strike against all enemies on the field. These new mechanics feel just as fresh and impactful as the unique mechanics in previous entries. The combat in Brothership reflects positively on the franchise as a whole, with each game adding something new and exciting to the series.
One area where the game feels slightly underwhelming is in its puzzles. While the traditional RPG structure works well, the puzzles and platforming sections are simple and lack the complexity seen in earlier titles. Granted; this IS a game made for children. So, while I understand that the game is designed to be simplistic to appeal to the target audience (kids), I still have to take points off. Simplicity and a lack of difficulty can make for rather boring gameplay.
Story
The story of Mario And Luigi Brothership is certainly quirky, and fun and holds true to the RPG series’ trademark of adding something completely fresh. Mario and Luigi are stranded on a chain of islands (Concordia) and need help from the residents to get home. To receive this help, the brothers agree to link all the islands together by visiting the various islands and “linking” the lighthouses to the main island. The premise of this story held much promise, and, While it delivers some humorous moments and solid character interactions, it feels more like a DLC expansion rather than a memorable adventure. I applaud the developers for not recycling an old story, but the overarching plot doesn’t offer the same emotional stakes or clever twists seen in Superstar Saga or Bowser's Inside Story. The franchise’s classic charm is still present in this entry, but some of the jokes can feel repetitive or drawn-out.
Length & Replayability
The game’s length is in line with the series, clocking in between 20 and 30 hours depending on how much you explore. While this is a decent length for an RPG, it feels a little on the short side in comparison to most modern RPGs. There’s still enough content to keep players engaged through to the end, but it never quite feels as expansive or rewarding.
Mario And Luigi Brothership offers some replay value, but it’s not particularly high. There are a few hidden secrets, mini-games, and side quests that will appeal to completionists, but these aren't enough to sustain the experience for those who’ve already been through other games in the series. It’s not as engaging as Superstar Saga, where the complex puzzles and varied environments create a much stronger incentive to go back and replay. Here, once you've seen the main story and done some of the extra content, there’s little else to draw you back.
Final Thoughts & Rating
In the end, Mario And Luigi Brothership is a solid entry in the series. With top-tier combat mechanics, new and eccentric characters, and a fresh story it boasts enjoyment for players of all ages. And even though I didn’t find the overall story engaging, the positive aspects of this game far outweigh the negatives. It has the usual charm and lighthearted tone that fans of the franchise will enjoy, it also builds on the innovative mechanics that made Superstar Saga and Bowser's Inside Story so memorable. If you enjoyed previous Mario & Luigi RPGs, it’s worth playing, but don’t expect it to be a game-changer.
Rating: 7/10.
Fantastic combat, bold new ideas, and maintaining the charm of the other entries in the Mario and Luigi Saga.