In *Mario & Luigi: The Brotherly Epic*, the fractured continent of Connexia has left its regions isolated. Mario and Luigi, drawn into this divided world, embark on an adventure to uncover the cause of the fractures. They navigate colorful islands, solve puzzles, and engage in turn-based combat, while leveraging their unique abilities to progress. With charming characters and trademark humor, the game promises a rich experience, though concerns linger about the size and number of islands.
Continental Drift
The continent of Connexia has splintered, leaving its regions as isolated islands adrift in a vast ocean, severing its inhabitants from the outside world. Meanwhile, Mario and Luigi are peacefully settled in the Mushroom Kingdom when they are unexpectedly summoned into this fractured realm.
As they gather their bearings, they encounter new friends and, driven by their heroic instincts, they embark on an epic quest to uncover the mystery behind Connexia’s division. Their journey leads them to Navisthme, an island that acts as a ship and the core of their adventure. To restore Connexia, they must unite the scattered islands across the globe.
With surprising revelations, engaging twists, and a vibrant ensemble of characters, Mario & Luigi: The Brotherly Epic embraces the essence of the series, delivering a rich and exciting adventure. True to form, the iconic humor of the franchise is prominently featured, evident in the storytelling, witty dialogue, animated expressions of our beloved heroes, and the imaginative names of locations and characters.
The visual appeal of the game is striking; each colorful location showcases its distinct art style. Character designs are creatively influenced by an electric theme, with delightful touches such as light bulbs, electric sockets, and cable connections, all combined to great effect.
However, the islands may feel a bit short in terms of traversal. Players hope that while the islands may be compact, their numbers are plentiful.
An Enhanced Gameplay Experience
In terms of gameplay, the title retains the beloved blend of exploration, platforming, and turn-based combat that fans have come to cherish.
You take control of the iconic duo, Mario and Luigi, each equipped with unique abilities (such as jumping and hammer attacks) that can be executed with specific buttons. The brothers primarily stick together, except for particular scripted moments that require them to split up.
As they roam the islands, players will encounter various puzzles and challenges that leverage the duo’s unique relationship. For instance, there are platforms marked with a red M or a green L, where the corresponding brother must jump to unveil the next platform, allowing access to otherwise unreachable areas.
In a notable twist, Luigi has taken on a more proactive role in this installment. He no longer merely follows Mario; instead, he offers assistance, represented by a helpful aura around him. By simply pressing the LB button, he can automatically perform actions such as breaking crates, pulling turnips, or retrieving items.
Luigi’s helpfulness extends throughout their adventure, providing innovative solutions when obstacles emerge. This culminates in a new cooperative ability that enables Mario and Luigi to navigate challenges together, including transformations like becoming a flying saucer to cross large gaps. Players are eager to discover additional transformations as the game progresses.
Exploration areas are rife with enemies, which can either be avoided or engaged. Should an enemy catch you off guard from behind, they gain an advantage at the start of the encounter. However, if Mario or Luigi strikes first—whether by jumping on or attacking with a hammer—they initiate combat and deal damage right from the start.
Combat is strategically turn-based, allowing players to choose from various attack methods—jumping, hammer strikes, special abilities, or fleeing. When it’s the enemy’s turn, players can counter their attacks by either jumping to dodge or using the hammer to create distance. Paying keen attention to enemy behaviors is crucial, as each enemy type has its distinct attacks, which must be memorized for effective counter-play.
Boss battles are no less complex, challenging players to avoid damage while delivering as much as possible. Luigi’s problem-solving moments can even trigger quick time events, which, if successful, weaken bosses for several turns.
Our experience with Mario & Luigi: The Brotherly Epic has been incredibly enjoyable, filled with engaging moments as we followed the whimsical journey of our favorite plumber duo. We eagerly anticipate unveiling more islands, confronting new enemies and honing new skills, while getting to the bottom of Connexia’s mysterious fracturing. Our only concern lies with the size of the islands; we hope that while compact, they are numerous enough to create a fulfilling adventure. What we’ve experienced so far has introduced refreshing gameplay elements, and we sincerely hope that this variety continues throughout the journey, keeping the excitement alive.