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.

I haven't gotten it yet, though I'd like to. It looks interesting, better gameplay than a lot of the more cinematic RPGs. While I appreciate the beautiful graphics and story of FF games, I also agree that they can get a little cumbersome. They need to be better integrated into the play itself, not so much cutscenes, then I could genuinely like them.

I haven't played the original Paper Mario, but the descriptions of PM2 sound very much like a game I'd like to play, combining elements of Mario RPG, Viewtiful Joe, Mario Party, and others... yeah, could be a winner.

irate, did you name the ghost guy that stole Mario's body?
If you did, what is his name?

I just finished chapter 5, which was a bit annoying with the running back-and-forth thing. I like the game, but mostly for its novelty value - it's not the best RPG I've ever played, and it's even less open-ended than most. It's also very easy - none of the battles have been challenging, and it holds your hands through all the puzzle aspects. But still, trying to get the timing right on attacks and so forth makes it pretty nifty.

Bingle

Edit: I meant chapter 6...

Ok, an update. I finally beat the body thief, Doopliss.

Now, can anyone tell me how to get by Mr. Bobbery's door in Rogueport? :)

Thanks for any help. :thumbsup:

its fucking awesome.

I have yet to win the slot machine thingy during battles. Im like 0 for 30.
Fun game though.

I originally bought this game for my girlfriend, I started playing it and liked it but then GTA came out and I started playing that, next week Halo..its sometimes hard for me to go back and finish games once the "next thing" comes out

Here's how: Spoiler: Use Yoshi to get up on top of the house at the far east end of town (you have to yoshi-jump across the canal, then hop on boxes to the roof). Then yoshi-jump across to the roof of Bobbery's house, roll up, and drop down the chimney.

Bingle

Thanks, bingle.
I do appreciate it. :thumbsup:

edit:
That got it.
Damn, it's a whole new area up here. :D

This game is absolutely brilliant.

I've only played through the first chapter and I'm already hooked. Just enough of the old mixed with enough of the new to keep me interested. The in battle action commands keep the fighting from getting stale. I especially like the audience. For some reason it's more enjoyable to stomp a giant dragon's toe in front of a mosh pit of toadstools. I can't explain it.

Hello, I picked it up this afternoon. So far im having a good time with it. I'll post again later as i move through the game. This is my first RPG since whatever final fantasy there was for the Super Nintendo. Is there any other RPG type things that are good for the gamecube?

wow i totally agree with you.

im prolly gonna pick it up monday or tuesday, i just finished megaman x command mission, and i need a break before i go back and bveat it on hard mode


I recomend Megaman, it's a great game that tooke me50 hours to complete, time well spent

Welp, I just got to the Moon. Love the gravity. :D

Anybody beat the game yet?

This game looks awesome, and I know for sure it is a game that I will love, but I am on a limited budget and Metroid Prime 2 echoes is coming.

I also want a good multiplayer game to play, and will probably pick up Super Smash Brothers Melee.

So Ill have to hold of on this one for a bit.

Has anyone gotten to the Palace of Shadow and solved the puzzle of the room with the stairs that keep sending you back a room, the one lit torch, and the gaudy decor?

If so, could you post the solution here, please? I'm stumped, again. :rolleyes: :D

can anyone compare this one to the one that was released on the n64. that game was hilarious but got a little tedious a few hours in. i've heard this one is more entertaining. any comments?

its great...you get to play as bowser in original mario levels and he is giangantic...i havent played a video game i have thoroughly enjoyed since probably the days of super nintendo....this is game is superb

Just got my paycheck last night, so soon I will have this game. And just to refresh myself on what a Nintendo RPG was like, I popped Super Mario RPG into the SNES the other night. Wow, that was an excellent game. I might have to finish that one before I move on to Paper Mario 2... now that I think about it.

paper mario 2 is indeed a great rpg
but i almost didnt continue playing due to all the text they bombard you with in the first 15 minutes of the game.

I've been debating as to whether I'm going to pick this one up. I really like RPGs, but I'm not sure I'd like this one. Most of the reviews of the game i've read have said that it is great. The nice thing about Gamecube games is that after a while you can find them around for much less than the original price.

I'm sure you've figured it out by now, but thought I'd post the answer anyway.

Spoiler:Spoiler: Just go into the door next to the lit torch. :)

I beat it just today. I took a break to crack Halo 2 :p

Just to be safe. Spoiler: Spoiler: I didn't have a too much of a problem with Grodus and Bowzer, but the final boss was a bitch. I just kept upping the party's stats with "something-lift" It's a special power until I was bombing her for massive amounts of damage. Luckily I had a few ultra shrooms and jammin' jellies to pull through

I beat it with relatively low stats. 50 hp, 50 hp, and 21 bp. I don't know how much higher they go.

Again just to be safe: Spoiler: I'm playing it again second time through because I didn't get everything the first time through and I'm anal about shit like this.

Has anyone made it through the Pit of 100 Trials, yet? I've gotten pretty far, I believe level 82 and by then I was in pretty bad shape. Any pointers?

I read in an article in EGM that badge combinations can help out quite a bit, but I must be incredibly stupid because I just can't find any combo worth a shit.

Picked mine up today, was daunted by the amount of text too but as soon as I hit RoguePort is was love forever, I laughed, I giggled, and had a tonne of fun! This game is so nice! Gonna clock in some serious hours soon!

Thanks, guthmund. Yup, I went and found a PM:TTYD faq and hint guide on Google and was able to figure the stairs puzzle out.

I made it down to the item bag upgrade in the Pit of 100 Trials before I left the Pit.
I read on the faq that Spoiler: the last fight in the Pit was actually harder than the demon queen fight.

I'd read that as well. spoiler: Spoiler: it's another dragon. Bonetail? If I remember and he's got around 200 hit points. There is a chance I could be talking straight out my ass, however.....

Either way, damned if I know for sure. I tried twice today to get a little further down there and failed twice. Once at level 77 and once at level 82.

ARGHHHHH!!!! The aggravation is.....aggravating!

I've got the bag upgrade....maybe my inventory is what's lacking.....