Mario & Luigi: Brothership Preview — Setting Sail on a High-Seas Adventure| November 3, 2024

When “Mario & Luigi: Brothership” was announced earlier this year, it took many fans of the beloved RPG series by surprise. After nearly a decade since the last installment and the heartbreaking closure of developer AlphaDream in 2019, the future of the franchise seemed uncertain. Yet, here we are: Mario and Luigi are back for a grand maritime adventure, and this time, the reins have been handed over to Acquire, the team behind titles like “Octopath Traveler.” After spending several hours with a preview of “Mario & Luigi: Brothership,” I can confidently say that the game appears to be a fresh, yet lovingly faithful continuation of the series’ legacy.

The Setup: Uncharted Waters

Mario & Luigi: Brothership sets sail on the high seas of the fragmented archipelago of Concordia. Once a flourishing kingdom united by the life-giving energy called Connectar, Concordia has been torn apart, with its islands drifting further from each other and into isolation. The game opens with the brothers aboard their new vessel, the Shipshape Island, a sentient ship that serves as both transportation and home base. Their mission? To reconnect the broken lands and mend the severed bonds of Concordia, all while unraveling the mystery behind Connectar’s sudden disruption.

The narrative immediately strikes a balance between the series’ signature humor and an engaging, high-stakes adventure. Longtime fans will find plenty of the playful charm they’ve come to expect, but there’s a clear sense of ambition in how “Brothership” aims to deliver a deeper, more emotionally resonant story.

A New Layer of Strategy: Battle Plugs and Luigi Logic

While the core gameplay retains the classic turn-based combat and Bros. Moves that fans love, Mario & Luigi: Brothership introduces a host of new mechanics that promise to refresh the RPG formula.

• Battle Plugs: These customizable abilities can be equipped to alter combat dynamics. For instance, one Battle Plug might enhance Mario’s fire attacks, while another could enable Luigi to heal status effects. This mechanic allows players to tailor their strategies, adding a new layer of depth to battles. In one encounter I played, equipping a Battle Plug that increased splash damage was crucial for taking down a swarm of enemies in a single turn.
• Luigi Logic: In a delightful twist, Luigi gets a new spotlight role outside of combat. Luigi Logic is a puzzle-solving mechanic that lets Luigi tackle environmental challenges by leveraging his quirky brand of problem-solving. One memorable puzzle involved Luigi using an oversized plunger to create a makeshift bridge for Mario, an idea both clever and absurdly fun.

Together, these mechanics ensure that “Brothership” remains engaging, with combat and exploration that feel dynamic and rewarding.

Sailing the Seas: Exploring Concordia

The world of Concordia is brought to life with vibrant 3D environments that pop with color and personality, a hallmark of the series’ art style. Each island has its own unique culture, ecosystem, and cast of characters, making exploration feel like an adventure within an adventure. From lush jungles teeming with Piranha Plants to serene beachside villages where Bob-ombs run seaside cafés, every location feels thoughtfully designed and full of life.

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Shipshape Island itself deserves special mention. This sentient ship is more than just a means of transportation; it has its own personality, quirks, and a hub-like area where players can interact with NPCs, upgrade abilities, and plan their next journey. It’s a charming and inventive addition that adds a sense of camaraderie and continuity to the adventure.

However, there are some early concerns about the game’s pacing. While the exploration segments are engaging, brief performance hiccups—such as occasional frame rate drops and minor loading delays—were noticeable in the preview build. These issues are far from game-breaking, but they could disrupt the immersive experience if not addressed in the final release.

A Tale of Two Developers: The Legacy and the New

One of the biggest questions surrounding Mario & Luigi: Brothership is how well Acquire, the new developers, can uphold the series’ legacy while bringing in fresh ideas. It’s a heavy burden, considering how much fans adore AlphaDream’s work. So far, it seems that Acquire is walking this line admirably, infusing the game with new mechanics while preserving the humor, heart, and whimsy that define the series.

The story is where this duality is most apparent. The writing, while retaining the playful banter and slapstick humor of past games, also delves into themes of connection and loss. The fractured state of Concordia mirrors the emotional journeys of Mario, Luigi, and the characters they meet. It’s a narrative that feels both familiar and refreshingly new, with a level of emotional depth that could make it one of the series’ most memorable stories.

Emotional Stakes and Character Development

In a move that’s sure to please fans of character-driven storytelling, Mario & Luigi: Brothership puts a strong emphasis on character development. Luigi, in particular, shines in this installment. Known for his comedic cowardice, Luigi gets several moments of unexpected bravery and leadership, balancing his role as the comic relief with genuine growth. Meanwhile, Mario’s steadfast optimism is challenged in ways that reveal new facets of his character, deepening the bond between the two brothers.

The supporting cast is equally well-realized. Each island in Concordia features new characters with their own struggles and backstories. For example, one early side quest has the brothers helping a community of Cheep Cheeps build a school for young fish, highlighting the game’s focus on themes of unity and restoration. It’s these little narrative touches that make the world of Concordia feel vibrant and alive.

Highs and Lows: The Shift Mechanics

The biggest gameplay innovation in “Brothership” is the introduction of Shifting, a mechanic that lets players alter the game world in real-time. By using Shifting spots scattered across the islands, Mario and Luigi can influence environmental puzzles, change weather patterns, and open new paths. One memorable puzzle required the brothers to Shift an entire island from day to night, revealing hidden pathways and nocturnal creatures that offered new clues.

While Shifting is a fun and creative mechanic, it also presents some limitations. There were moments when the puzzles felt rigid, offering only one solution despite multiple seemingly viable options. This lack of flexibility could be a drawback for players who enjoy experimenting with different strategies.

Another minor gripe is the audio associated with Shifting spots. A persistent ringing sound indicates the presence of a Shift spot, but in confined areas, this noise becomes distracting. It’s a small issue but one that could detract from the overall experience if not refined before launch.

Accessibility and Quality of Life Features

“Brothership” goes above and beyond in providing accessibility options. Players can disable time limits for dialogue choices, adjust visual effects to reduce eye strain, and even skip gameplay sections if they’re feeling stuck. These features ensure that the game is welcoming to a broader audience, but the lack of an option to mute the Shift spot audio is puzzling, given the otherwise robust suite of accessibility settings.

Final Thoughts: Hope on the Horizon

After spending time with Mario & Luigi: Brothership, it’s clear that this game has the potential to be a standout entry in the series. While concerns about performance and puzzle flexibility remain, the overall experience is one of excitement, charm, and heartfelt storytelling. The game’s innovative mechanics, coupled with a meaningful narrative, promise a return to form for a beloved franchise that many feared had been left behind.

With its November 7 release date fast approaching, fans won’t have to wait much longer to set sail on this long-awaited adventure. Whether you’re a die-hard Mario & Luigi enthusiast or a newcomer ready for a whimsical RPG experience, “Brothership” offers plenty to look forward to. And while the full story remains to be seen, the early chapters have already set a high bar for what could be the series’ grandest journey yet.