Zero Punctuation Season 10 Episode 2 Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

Zero Punctuation is a video review show hosted by Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw. In this episode of season 10, episode 2, Yahtzee reviews the game Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam.

Yahtzee starts off by addressing the elephant in the room, that being the awkward title of the game. He then goes on to describe the premise of the game, which involves Mario and Luigi meeting their counterparts from the world of Paper Mario. The two worlds have merged, leading to a Paper version of Bowser causing chaos in the Mushroom Kingdom.

Yahtzee touches on the game's dialogue, which he describes as "chirpy and inoffensive" but lacking in any particularly memorable one-liners. He also notes the game's use of tutorial messages within its dialogue, which can interrupt the flow of the game.

The main gameplay mechanic in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is the trio mechanic, which allows the player to control all three characters at once. Yahtzee praises the game for making each character feel unique in their abilities and playstyle, as well as the fact that the player can switch between the two different versions of Mario and Luigi at will.

The battles in the game are turn-based and Yahtzee notes that they can become quite repetitive over time, with the player needing to execute the same moves over and over again. He also mentions that some of the battles can be quite challenging, but not to the point of being frustrating.

One aspect of the game that Yahtzee particularly enjoyed was the exploration element. He praises the game for its intricate level design and for the hidden paths and secrets that can be found throughout the game's world.

Another positive Yahtzee points out is the game's graphics. He notes that the paper aesthetic is well-executed and compliments the game's overall charm. He also mentions the use of 3D elements in the game, which add depth to the environments and characters.

However, not everything in the game is perfect. Yahtzee criticizes the game for its lackluster music, which he describes as "forgettable filler." He also notes that the game doesn't really do anything particularly innovative, instead playing it safe with tried-and-true gameplay mechanics.

Finally, Yahtzee concludes that while Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is not a bad game, it isn't particularly great either. He notes that it's a perfectly serviceable entry into the Mario franchise, but it doesn't do anything to stand out from the crowd. He does praise the game for its humor and charm, though, and notes that it's a game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

Overall, Yahtzee gives Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam a lukewarm recommendation. He notes that while it won't revolutionize the Mario franchise, it's still a fun and enjoyable game that is worth a playthrough.