I picked up Paper Mario 2 yesterday...
The game is a refreshing departure from the standard turn-based RPG efforts. As said in several reviews of the game, there is quite a bit of text exposition in the beginning of the game that must be slogged through. From my first boot of the game, I played 3 hours straight and have passed that dry stage already.
I'm probably in the minority, but I've been disappointed with the tack RPGs have taken recently, most notably the Final Fantasy series. I just get tired of watching cinematic after cinematic... then letting the game generously allowing me to fight a battle i didn't choose to enter.
During battles in Paper Mario, the battle engine keeps you involved. All hits and defenses can be enhanced by timed responses. The audience and slot machine factors really keep everything fresh. I suppose it's good that not all turn-based RPGs are based on this model, but I'm glad there is an alternative out there.
Any other TFP'er bought the game yet? Does anyone prefer the cinematic presentation over the more involved interface found in games like this one? I think a blend of Square's production/art/creativity and a more involved interface would yield a stellar game. The original Mario RPG was certainly top-notch, but something in the FF universe might be even better.
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If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.
~ Winston Churchill
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