I have always found the possibility of being able to create something inside a video game fascinating. The first concept of this kind was born with Sim City in 1989 in which we could create and manage entire cities. However, the brilliant idea of linking creation to gameplay came much later. One example is Trackmania, an arcade racing game that allowed us to create tracks and share them online with other users. Then one day a small software house called Media Molecule arrived and decided to take the same concept and apply it to platforms: in 2007 it was born Little Big Planet for PlayStation 3. This game then had sequels and concept evolutions to culminate in the recent Dreams.
The return of the engineer Mario
At this point Nintendo, the home of Mario, the platformer par excellence, could not stand by and watch. In 2015 he released Super Mario Maker for WiiU, an atypical Super Mario, without a story, which allowed you to create levels from the main chapters in 2D of the most famous mustachioed plumber in the world. Given the game's excellent sales results, despite WiiU's misfortune in the console market, it was almost obvious that a Nintendo Switch sequel was coming out.
What exactly sets it apart Super Mario Maker 2 from the previous chapter? At first glance almost nothing, the principle remains the same: create levels, publish them online and play the creations of other users. What really differentiates Super Mario Maker 2 are the little changes that make it, overall, a better product compared to the predecessor in addition to the portability of the hybrid console.
The editor, the real hub of Super Mario Maker 2
Given the fundamental role he plays in this game, it seems obvious to us to have to speak before the editor, now simplified and adapted to the dualistic nature of the console. In fact, it can be comfortably used both via the dock and via portability via the touchscreen. We can select five different styles of levels from as many titles that have marked the history of the platform: Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, New Super Mario Bros. U and for the first time Super Mario 3D World. This last set is a bit of a contradiction, but we'll talk about it later.
For each style it is possible to choose different themes, based on the level of the original game. Each theme provides particular characteristics to the level, such as water, lava and adjustable gravity.
We can also choose two themes at the same time connecting two different areas with pipes. As for the objects available for the creation of the levels, we will immediately have (unlike the first Mario Maker) all the blocks already available. Most of these will be the same for each style with the obvious sprite changes. Each game will also have exclusive elements, sound effects and enemies.
Among the new blocks there are those of the oblique terrain which, although they are not canonically present in the first versions of Mario, make the levels more pleasant to see. Other news compared to the first title are the largest level areas and the ability to add conditions for exceeding the level. For example we can request to complete the level without ever jumping or picking up a particular object. A small novelty that increases the level of challenge and makes the gameplay of the game more varied. It is also possible to create levels together with another player. Not that it's particularly useful but it's still a nice gimmick. As for the style of Super Mario 3D World, I have to admit I was a little disappointed. The game is originally in three dimensions and I would have expected the same in Super Mario Maker 2. As reiterated earlier, I find it a bit of a contradiction. Not too much of a problem though as it works just fine anyway.
The editor is very simple and intuitive to use thanks to the excellent tutorials of the Yamamura school. The possibilities in terms of level design are practically endless and even for a novice it will be possible to achieve excellent results. Once our creation is complete, we can let other players try it by uploading it online. We will have available 32 slot, unfortunately less than 100 overall in the first game.
To index the level, tags have also been inserted that describe the content, so users can more easily find the type of level they want to play.
All of these elements fall within the modality Levels from the world here, as well as researching the levels of users, it is possible to see the international rankings of the best creator where we find the users with the most author points. These are achieved with positive feedback at their own levels. Two other modes are: the Infinite Challenge, a randomized series of creator levels categorized by four different difficulties (easy, normal, hard and super hard) and the classic network game in which it will be possible to play the various levels of the users with four others. players. Unfortunately, just like in other Nintendo titles, online gaming is little optimized. Very often they will happen to you not a little annoying lag problems, beyond the power of your connection.
The Story Mode, we rebuild Peach's castle
Super Mario Maker 2 it also includes a new story mode compared to its predecessor. The pretext is quite original: Mario and his friends Toad have just finished building the Princess Peach's castle. However, due to an unpleasant unforeseen event, the building was razed to the ground. In this mode we find ourselves in a small map completely in three dimensions in which our task is to reconstruct each area of the castle starting from the foundations collecting coins. To get them you need to complete tasks that are nothing more than levels created by developers with the same game editor.
The levels have a good variety and a difficulty that varies according to the number of stars. In any case, if one of these proves too frustrating, do not worry, Luigi will come to our rescue in two different ways: the first is the possibility of modifying the level in turn, albeit in a limited way, by inserting blocks and power ups. . The second consists in the automatic skip of the level that will be "Completed by Luigi in our place".
As you progress with the construction of the castle, it will gradually unlock new levels, for a total of one hundred. This story mode is a bit shorter than the classic New Super Mario Bros and Super Mario Bros U, however it is an interesting addition to the editor that also shows us users a lot of level design ideas. Of course, personally, and I stress, personally, I would have changed the choice of making all the objects available right away, unlocking them during the story mode would have been a valid reason to face it. However, I also realize that this choice would have weighed on all users interested only in the aspects of the "create" mode.
Final judgement
Summing up, Super Mario Maker 2 is a good title that improves and files many features of its predecessor by introducing small changes and a pleasant story mode. However, some defects, including online problems, do not make it a perfect product. We recommend it to any lover of sliding platformers and aspiring game designers (it's a real level design school). It is a must buy if you are a fan of the plumber (or should I say engineer?) Mustachioed our fellow countryman.
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