Discover the latest Super Mario Odyssey review and get insights into one of the most iconic video games of all time. Read on for our expert opinion.
Super Mario Odyssey is a critically acclaimed and hugely popular video game that has captured the hearts and minds of players all over the world. With its captivating storyline, stunning graphics, and engaging gameplay, it has become a fan favorite for gamers of all ages. In this Super Mario Odyssey review, we will take a closer look at the game and share our expert opinion on what makes it such a standout title in the world of video gaming. From its charming characters to its creative level design, there’s a lot to love about this game, and we’ll explore all of the key elements that make it a must-play for any gaming enthusiast.
Overview of the game
Super Mario Odyssey is a 3D platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch console. The game was released in 2017 and quickly gained popularity among gamers worldwide. In the game, players control Mario as he travels across different worlds, known as “Kingdoms,” on a mission to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s clutches once again. The game is highly praised for its vibrant and imaginative worlds, catchy soundtrack, and unique gameplay mechanics.
Super Mario Odyssey is the latest installment in the beloved Super Mario franchise, which has been entertaining gamers of all ages since 1985. With its charming and nostalgic gameplay, combined with modern graphics and innovative gameplay features, the game has been a huge success, receiving numerous awards and nominations. It has been praised for its intuitive controls, excellent level design, and engaging storyline. The game’s popularity has led to it being a top seller for the Nintendo Switch console, with many fans eagerly anticipating the next entry in the series. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Super Mario Odyssey and see why it’s one of the most popular games of all time.
Gameplay
Super Mario Odyssey is a 3D platformer game that takes Mario on a globe-trotting adventure. The game’s central mechanic revolves around Mario’s hat, which is now a living character named Cappy. Cappy can be thrown to take control of various characters and objects, allowing for unique puzzle-solving and traversal mechanics.
The controls of the game are smooth and responsive, allowing for precise platforming and movement. Players can jump, dive, roll, throw Cappy, and use a variety of power-ups to navigate the game’s levels. The game’s camera system is also well-designed, providing clear visibility and control.
What makes Super Mario Odyssey unique is its sandbox-style levels, which are filled with secrets, challenges, and various characters to interact with. Each level is a vibrant and colorful world with its own unique challenges and objectives. The game also features a variety of mini-games and challenges, such as a photo mode, a jump-rope challenge, and a race against a koopa.
Overall, the gameplay of Super Mario Odyssey is a perfect blend of old and new mechanics, with a healthy dose of innovation thrown in. The controls are tight, the levels are varied and engaging, and the game offers a ton of replay value with its many challenges and secrets.
Storyline
In “Super Mario Odyssey,” the storyline is centered around Mario and his mission to save Princess Peach from Bowser’s clutches. However, the game adds a unique twist to this classic plotline by introducing Cappy, a sentient hat who joins Mario on his journey. Together, they travel through different kingdoms, each with its own set of challenges, to collect Power Moons that will help them power up the Odyssey, a magical ship that serves as their main mode of transportation.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the game’s storyline is the character development. Mario and Cappy’s relationship grows stronger as they travel together, and players get to witness their bond strengthen as they overcome obstacles and save the day. Bowser also gets more depth as a character, and players get to see his softer side as he tries to win over Princess Peach.
Overall, the storyline is engaging, well-written, and keeps players invested in the game as they progress through the different kingdoms. The character development adds depth and emotion to the game, making it more than just a simple platformer.
Graphics and sound
Super Mario Odyssey is a game that combines colorful graphics and immersive sound design to create an engaging gaming experience. The game’s art style is bright, vibrant, and full of detail, with each level offering unique visuals that make it stand out. Mario’s character design is iconic and instantly recognizable, and his movement is smooth and responsive.
The sound design of Super Mario Odyssey is just as impressive as its visuals, with a memorable soundtrack that features a variety of musical styles. From classic Mario themes to jazzy tunes and Latin-inspired beats, the game’s soundtrack is a joy to listen to. The sound effects are also top-notch, with each action in the game accompanied by a satisfying sound, whether it’s Mario jumping, throwing his hat, or collecting coins.
The game also features voice acting for some characters, which adds an extra layer of personality and humor to the game. Overall, the combination of graphics and sound in Super Mario Odyssey creates an immersive and delightful gaming experience that is sure to please players of all ages.
Levels and environments
Super Mario Odyssey is known for its diverse levels and environments, each with their own unique design and challenges. From bustling cityscapes to sprawling deserts, players are taken on a journey through a vast array of landscapes. One of the standout features of the game is its attention to detail in creating each environment, making them feel like living, breathing worlds.
One such environment is the Cap Kingdom, a gloomy and mysterious land inhabited by ghostly top-hatted creatures. The level design is intricate and fun, with hidden paths and secrets waiting to be discovered. The music and sound effects are also particularly noteworthy, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the level.
Another notable environment is the Luncheon Kingdom, a colorful world full of food-themed elements. The level is set on a giant volcano and includes a variety of challenges, such as navigating a sea of lava and scaling a massive meat mountain. The attention to detail in the food-themed design is impressive, with everything from the architecture to the enemies fitting seamlessly into the theme.
Overall, the levels and environments in Super Mario Odyssey provide a well-crafted and diverse experience for players. Each level is carefully designed to fit into the overarching storyline and offer a unique challenge, making the game a true joy to play.
Difficulty level
Super Mario Odyssey is known for being a game that caters to both casual and hardcore gamers. It’s a game that’s easy enough to pick up and play, but also challenging enough to keep experienced gamers engaged. The game’s difficulty level is gradually ramped up as players progress through the different levels and challenges. The early levels serve as an introduction to the game mechanics and controls, while later levels require more skill and strategy to complete.
The game offers a number of different challenges, from collecting power moons to completing platforming challenges and battling bosses. Players can choose to tackle these challenges at their own pace, and the game offers a variety of difficulty options to suit different skill levels. The game’s difficulty is balanced in a way that makes it accessible to all players, without feeling too easy or too frustrating.
One of the ways that Super Mario Odyssey caters to both casual and hardcore gamers is through its assist feature. This feature allows players to get help with difficult sections of the game, without taking away from the overall challenge. Players can choose to enable this feature at any time, and it provides useful hints and tips to help players progress through the game. Overall, Super Mario Odyssey strikes a great balance between accessibility and challenge, making it a game that’s enjoyed by players of all skill levels.
Reception
Super Mario Odyssey received widespread critical acclaim upon its release. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics, stunning graphics, and captivating storyline. It received a Metacritic score of 97 out of 100, making it one of the highest-rated games of all time.
Critics lauded the game’s level design, stating that each world had a unique identity and was filled with fun and challenging puzzles. The game’s music was also highly praised, with many citing it as one of the best soundtracks in any video game.
Super Mario Odyssey won several awards and nominations, including “Best Family Game” and “Best Game Direction” at The Game Awards 2017. It was also nominated for “Game of the Year” at the same event, as well as “Best Game Design” at the 2018 BAFTA Games Awards.
The game’s success can also be seen in its sales figures. Within just a few months of its release, Super Mario Odyssey had sold over 10 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games on the Nintendo Switch. The game’s popularity has continued to grow, with many gamers hailing it as one of the greatest Mario games of all time.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fun and engaging gameplay with a good mix of platforming, exploration, and puzzle-solving elements.
- An impressive variety of environments and levels, each with unique designs and challenges.
- The game features a great soundtrack with memorable music and sound effects.
- The addition of Cappy as a new gameplay mechanic adds an extra layer of strategy and fun to the game.
- The game has a high replay value, with plenty of hidden secrets and collectibles to discover.
Cons:
- The game may be too easy for experienced gamers, especially in the early levels.
- The storyline is somewhat simplistic and may not appeal to players looking for a more complex narrative.
- The camera controls can be a bit frustrating at times, making it difficult to navigate certain areas.
- The motion controls can be a bit finicky and may not work well for all players.
- Some players may find the game’s collect-a-thon gameplay repetitive or tedious after a while.
Comparison to other Mario games
Super Mario Odyssey is one of the latest installments in the popular Mario franchise, and it offers players a unique gameplay experience that sets it apart from other games in the series. When compared to previous Mario games, Odyssey features more open-world exploration, giving players more freedom to explore the game’s expansive environments at their own pace. The game also introduces a new gameplay mechanic in the form of Mario’s sentient hat, Cappy, which allows players to possess and control different characters and objects in the game.
One of the most notable differences between Super Mario Odyssey and its predecessors is the level design. Odyssey features larger and more detailed environments than previous Mario games, with each kingdom offering its own unique challenges and puzzles to solve. Additionally, the game’s graphics and visuals are more polished and refined, giving it a modern look and feel that sets it apart from older Mario games.
While Odyssey may be different from previous Mario games in many ways, it still retains many of the core elements that have made the franchise so popular over the years. The game’s controls are tight and responsive, making it easy for players of all skill levels to jump in and start playing. Additionally, the game’s soundtrack is as catchy and memorable as ever, with each kingdom having its own unique music that adds to the overall atmosphere and immersion of the game.
Overall, Super Mario Odyssey stands out from other games in the Mario franchise by offering players a fresh and innovative gameplay experience that still manages to retain the core elements that have made the franchise so beloved over the years. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer to the world of Mario, Odyssey is a must-play game that’s sure to delight and entertain players of all ages and skill levels.
Tips and tricks
- Explore the levels thoroughly: Don’t just rush through the levels, take your time to explore every nook and cranny. You never know where you might find hidden secrets, coins, or power-ups.
- Use the capture mechanic wisely: One of the unique features of “Super Mario Odyssey” is the capture mechanic, which allows Mario to take control of various enemies and objects. Use this ability wisely to solve puzzles and access hidden areas.
- Collect all the power moons: Power moons are the main collectibles in the game, and there are hundreds of them scattered throughout the different levels. Try to collect as many as you can to unlock new levels and items.
- Use the hint system: If you’re stuck and don’t know what to do next, use the hint system to get some guidance. It can point you in the right direction and help you progress through the game.
- Upgrade your abilities: As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock new abilities and upgrades for Mario. Make sure to upgrade them whenever possible to make your journey easier and more enjoyable.
- Keep an eye out for costumes: Costumes are not just for show in “Super Mario Odyssey”. Some of them can give you special abilities or help you access hidden areas. Make sure to collect them all and experiment with different combinations.
By following these tips and tricks, players can enhance their “Super Mario Odyssey” experience and discover all the game has to offer.
Final Words
Super Mario Odyssey is a remarkable addition to the Mario franchise, offering players an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience. The game’s unique and creative gameplay mechanics, coupled with stunning graphics and a well-designed soundtrack, make it an instant classic. While it may not be perfect, with some areas needing improvement, the game’s overall pros outweigh its cons. The game offers something for both casual and hardcore gamers, with a balance of challenge and fun. Whether you’re a Mario fan or not, “Super Mario Odyssey” is definitely worth a try. It’s a must-play for all Nintendo Switch owners, and a great addition to any gamer’s collection.
A: Super Mario Odyssey is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch.
A: The game has a range of difficulty levels, with some challenges being more accessible for casual gamers and others being more challenging for hardcore gamers.
A: While the game is primarily a single-player experience, there are some multiplayer mini-games available.
A: Super Mario Odyssey is unique in its open-world design and the ability to capture and control different creatures throughout the game. It also features a more fleshed-out storyline than some previous Mario games.
A: The length of the game varies depending on how thoroughly the player explores and completes all the optional content, but the main storyline can be completed in around 10-15 hours.