Paper Mario Series

[Serum]

I would never even try RPG, even despite my brothers constantly telling me how good a title it is.

Actually, I can vouch for "RPG" being a very good game. I know the idea of Mario in an RPG sounds sacrilegious, but it's kind of like the movie in that it has less to do with the main Mario characters and focuses more on a terrorist group called "The Smithy Gang."

[Redstar]

My girlfriend has started to play Paper Mario under my guidance. It took her a few hours to work through the prologue chapter, but I think she's now enjoying the game. Hopefully we can continue to the end, then start Thousand Year Door!

I also thought that this would be a good opportunity to discuss what we would like to see in the next title of the franchise. I have no doubt that Nintendo has at the very least thought about a new Paper Mario game. It makes sense that they would be willing to go back to the mechanics and formula that worked before since the critical and fan receptions to Super Paper Mario and Sticker Star wasn't too positive. It showed Nintendo that we want something cut within the same cloth as the first two games, so there's a good chance we'll get it.

Here's my wishlist:

A huge overworld with a range of locations that really explores what makes the Mario universe so fantastical. We need more underwear and "up-in-the-clouds" type environments. It would also be cool to revisit locations from previous Paper Mario games and the platformers--imagine seeing what has become of Yoshi's Island now that the volcano has erupted, or what any level from Super Mario 64 would like within the RPG aesthetic.

I've never been a fan of how the series utilized the hubworld. It just feels like the world is much smaller because the story requires you to backtrack to Toad Town or Rogueport following each chapter. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars felt like you were actually on this globe-trotting quest because you rarely needed to return to Toad Town; each new location opened up a new path that, eventually, created a circuitous world. A semi-nonlinear story where the player is allowed some control over which locations they can go to, with different events influencing the story direction would enhance the experience. This could even allow for multiple endings.

Unique partners with innovative overworld abilities that sets them apart from prior partners. It would also be amazing if they could bring certain partners back as NPCs, cameos or even temporary companions.

What would you like to see?

[Phlibbit]

All good ideas. I think what I'd like to see is that really it's the game you actually do a big, canon Mario story within.

I liked in Thousand Year Door where you got to play as Bowser and Peach... they could really take that to the next level. It always seems like they're afraid to give Mario and Luigi (and Link, also) too much personality or even dialogue since they're traditionally avatars for the person playing the game. I feel like they could do something different with a new Paper Mario game, though.

[Clous]

I've never been a fan of how the series utilized the hubworld. It just feels like the world is much smaller because the story requires you to backtrack to Toad Town or Rogueport following each chapter.

I don't mind a home city or whatever. but the entirety of Boogly Woods is tedious as fk.

Overall, don't really care as long as it's classic style gameplay. Nerfs to the peril badges and buffs on action commands. Less backtracking as well.

[Redstar]

I liked in Thousand Year Door where you got to play as Bowser and Peach... they could really take that to the next level. It always seems like they're afraid to give Mario and Luigi (and Link, also) too much personality or even dialogue since they're traditionally avatars for the person playing the game. I feel like they could do something different with a new Paper Mario game, though.

I agree. It'd be awesome if they limited the team to Mario and two partners out of a five-person party total, like in Legend of the Seven Stars. It was easy to identify with your party because of the small number of characters, which allowed for more in-depth backstory and development. The same just can't be done with seven partners whose development stalls once their introductory chapter is completed.

They just need to graduate the Mario & Luigi development team to the Paper Mario franchise and continue their success with a classic team. They obviously know what they're doing considering they've handled prophecy, time-travel and much more.

Overall, don't really care as long as it's classic style gameplay. Nerfs to the peril badges and buffs on action commands. Less backtracking as well.

Action commands are one of the best features of the series. They brought a good amount of interaction to the genre when people might otherwise become passive. They should definitely expand the mechanic to include more advanced combos.

[Phlibbit]

They just need to graduate the Mario & Luigi development team to the Paper Mario franchise and continue their success with a classic team. They obviously know what they're doing considering they've handled prophecy, time-travel and much more.

Haha yeah. People LOVE canon story stuff with the M&L series. I wish they'd do more with it.