Sure, I did not like the original MaL, but I figured I might as well give this one a shot. How does it stack up to all four of the other RPGs? Well, you'll see in a minute. This game is rated on a scale of five, as per usual. I'll also include a plus or minus to tell how I feel about each thing in comparison to the original.

Graphics: ** 1/2

I'll be honest with you, I don't care for the graphics in this game. They're just not my cup of tea, you know. However, I am not the type who places much meaning on graphics, so let's just end it at that. I do like the cool comic book-styled pictures they show when you're being taught a new move, though. (-)

Sound: ****

The sounds in this game are very nice. The remixed background themes from older games, as well as the new stuff, all sounds good. The only flaw is when the babies cry, as that is just painfully annoying to listen to. Still, a lot of the stuff, especially the remixed Yoshi's Island theme, sounds pretty good. The little voice clip things are pretty cool too. (+)

Plot: ***

The plot is one of the darker sagas in the Mario series, with the Shroobs very early on revealing a plan to suck the life out of Toads in order to power their ships. You even have to watch some Toads tied by trees waiting to be die, which is pretty intense stuff for a Mario game. I'm not really into the plot, truth be told, because I don't like the Shroobs or the time travel plot, but it's all right. Some of the subplots are pretty interesting. By the way, the way the events in this unfold it would've caused, like, a million paradoxes. (+)

Characters: *** 1/2

No, I don't like the Shroobs (except Yoob) or Fawful, but I don't have much of a problem with anyone else in this game. Baby Bowser and Kamek are used the way they should be, Mario does his job as the main hero well, and Luigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi all supply some comic relief in cutscenes. The game isn't as good about bringing back long-forgotten characters as the original was, but it has Pidgit in it, so it's not like they don't do it at all. I don't get the point of including the adult Bowser, besides Nintendo just being like that (let's face it, he wasn't needed at all in PM2 either even though he was entertaining in it), however. (+)

Humor: ****

I personally found the humor in the original to be lacking, but I like the direction they go with this. The two Toadsworths have some memorable moments, and Baby Bowser and Kamek manage a few good lines off each other as well. I'll admit that Fawful has some good jokes in his introduction, though I'm not a huge fan of the whole thing. Still, I find this game to somehow be both darker and more humorous than the original. By the way, to whoever came up with the idea of the Hammer Bros. speaking in l33t speak, I thank you. (+)

Controls: ** 1/2

The controls in this game could stand to be fixed... a lot. First of all, it can be kind of hard to remember to press X and Y for the Baby Bros, which is kind of stupid anyway because they could just use A-B for it and then and have you press Select to switch between the two. I can't understand it for battle purposes either besides Bros. Items and the Hammer. Speaking of the Hammer, the way it is set up it is way too hard to get the hang of it down. (-)

Bosses: ***

Most of the bosses are pretty cool for what they are, but I wish there were less Shroobs and more of other things. For that matter, the final boss is extremely disappointing; I'd have preferred just about anything over who they chose. (-)

Battle System: *** 1/2

I'll admit that I definitely like the system used in battle a lot more than the last game. This is because they've introduced a few new things here and there that tweek the overall product and I like some of the stuff they did. I'll admit that the game is a bit easy, but it's Nintendo so I can understand. (+)

Hammers: 1/2

I hate how the Hammer works in this game with a passion. I never use the Hammer in this one unless I have to as a result of their choices over this, and the Hammer has usually been a staple in my arsenal. Whoever's bright idea it was to give the Hammers to the Baby Bros. should have rethought their idea before pitching it. (-)

Fun Factor!: ***

I'll admit that this is actually a pretty decent game. I don't like it is as much as PM2 or SMRPG, but it is definitly better than MaL, while PM is a toss-up. Either way, it's a good game that I'd recommend if you are looking for an RPG but are not the kind of person who gets into the Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior (I refuse to call it Dragon Quest), or Kingdom Hearts series. (+)

Overall: *** 1/2

Again, it's a good game and I'd get it if you like simple RPGs. If you liked MaL, you might have to get used to some things, but it is basically just a highly improved version of that game with a few new twists and a few things dropped and added.

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