Mario & Luigi Paper Jam Reviews
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam totally succeeds as an accessible, entertaining and lengthy crossover for fans and newcomers alike. It introduces a solid list of worthy new mechanics, particularly building upon the battle system in some exciting new ways, and breaking exploration up with random quests. It's more of a mini RPG than ever, but doesn't quite nail it when it comes to environmental design and storytelling. In the end it's Paper Jam's simplicity that makes it a great starting point and an easy recommendation, but also holds it back from taking full advantage of more dimensions than ever before.
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros. brings forth a very interesting and fun crossover between two of Nintendo's most cherished series featuring some of its most appreciated characters. The two worlds come together in a very successful way, even if it's clear that the mechanics of the Mario & Luigi series are more predominant than those of the Paper Mario series. The amount of tutorials could be lower to make the experience more fluid and its plot is too predictable but this remains a fun and enticing title.
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"Mario & Luigi Paper Jam" brings together two Mario worlds and manages to pull it off. The game continues to do a great job in combining RPG and action elements in its combat, which remains the biggest strength of games in the series. Admittedly, the micromanaging and multitasking can get too hectic at times for some folks. The story, while cute and charming, also doesn't have the meat that RPGs are typically known for. Folks who enjoy Mario's RPG series or want and engaging old school-style JRPG experience with Mario characters, however, will find this game to be jamming in a good way.
While it may stick too close to the formula, this 5th entry improves upon its predecessor.
Surprisingly, however, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam dishes up an interesting take on the Mario RPG formula without wandering too far from its roots. Some may scorn the lack of drastic change in the gameplay and while it's fair to conclude it is more of the same in most parts, Paper Jam is — at its heart — a solid RPG with plentiful personality. It may not be the RPG we had sought at the beginning, but it's one that marries together most (though not all) of what makes this Mario spin-off so immediately engrossing.
One of the better JRPGs on a system that's full of them.
Though slow in parts, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is fun, funny, and simply feels good to play. A must-play for Mario RPG fans of all stripes.
'Mario and Luigi Paper Jam' is the next Mario spin-off for the Nintendo 3DS, bringing an enjoyable and challenging RPG to the handheld console.
And yet, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam manages to bring the Mario Bros two wildest modern departures together in way that can't help but leave you smiling.
I do really enjoy playing Paper Jam. It's silly, it's challenging, and it's everything I remember SMRPG being all those years ago.
A good game that retreads a lot of old ground and uses its last few hours to squander the good will it's earned up until then.
But it turns what could have been just another fantasy storyline into something closer to a puppet show. We, rapt by these figures on sticks, know it's all malarkey but can't wait to see what happens next. Even if—especially because?—we know they're all just cardboard and glue.
There's a disappointing lack of invention in the paper thin story and characters, but the combat and witty dialogue is as good as the series has ever been.
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is an odd game, a semi-successful title that achieves a lot of success in its different elements but fails to come together as a cohesive title. Where gameplay is good, it's got subtle strengths and intense engagement. Where it's bad it borders on game-breaking design, likesome of those Toad-capturing sections, and RPG-lite mediocrity. Hopefully, the game is representative of growing pains for the series.
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam can get a bit grindy at times and drag on at certain times, especially the first time where it looks like the game's end is at hand. But there's more than enough masterfully comedic writing to carry the day, between the sight gags, fourth-wall-breaking references, and Luigi's pratfalls. While that can be used to describe most Mario & Luigi RPGs, it's tough to maintain comedic consistency in video games, so Nintendo and AlphaDream definitely deserves some props for managing to wring out a few smiles.
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is just as wacky and enjoyable as any other past iteration of the series, but it fails to change things up in a meaningful way for longtime fans.
As a crossover between two of the more beloved alternative Mario adventures coming together as one, it truly feels like the paper mâché of the spin-off Mario RPG titles. Not all of its elements stick together entirely or fit nicely, but Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam still gets by with a lot of heart and humor to boot.
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is a fun action-RPG that blends two Mario worlds without trying much new.
Nobody could describe Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam Bros as an essential, but it's a fun, relaxed, thoroughly likable RPG that's as good for younger and more casual gamers as it is for Mario's more hardcore fans. It might not have much depth or complexity, but it has charm and personality to spare. If you're looking for a game to keep your 3DS busy over the holidays, this is it.
It's certainly not a bad game by any means, it just doesn't do enough with the Mario and Luigi RPG or Paper Mario brands to really stand out.