Super Mario Galaxy 2 tops its predecessor

Frankly, I have to admit that I was very skeptical when I heard that Nintendo wants to develop a direct sequel to Super Mario Galaxy. Finally, since the Super Nintendo was the unofficial rule to publish only one main adventure with Mario per console.
But the success of the Wii Nintendo threw these self-imposed rule over the pile and decided on a successor.

Immediately, questions then raised as to whether a direct descendant offer enough variety and more could entertain on such a high level, as the first part of it was, or whether it will be more or less just a rehash of the predecessor is.

After the trade press, the game in the last few weeks and months, mostly heaped with almost utopian maximum ratings and therefore now for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one of the best games of all time, my anticipation was of course accordingly large because my predecessor had liked it very much and for me was also clearly voiced than, say, Super Mario Sunshine for the Gamecube.

Now that I have spent many hours with the American and a few hours with the German version of the game, I can actually agree with the journals.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is really in all respects an entirely harmonious in up game, in which, despite absolutely gorgeous graphics, arrives on the pure gameplay. And it has, with its many new features absolutely in itself, even if I could make one or two small gripe and will of course not deny.

I will therefore now turn below to the various important aspects for me of a game, to give you a comprehensive look at the game, but without giving too much away.

The Story:

Ok, it's a Mario game. Need I say more?
Meanwhile, the story's almost become a running gag and somehow I find the ever same kidnapping of Princess Peach actually sufficient. A sprawling story would not be appropriate in the case of Mario main games easily. Nevertheless, there are of course in this story one way or another little twist.

Gameplay:

The gameplay is that of the predecessor at first glance very similar. And even at second. It is still a matter to visit various planets and satellites that act as Level to be found on these the coveted stars and collect. However, connoisseurs of the first part is already the first change of gameplay notice at the level selection. So was the observatory, in practice, unfortunately deleted the upper world of the first part almost without replacement, because Mario is now even traveling on a planetary spaceship through the Galaxy and therefore the level just as it did in the old Mario titles or the recently released New Super Mario Bros. Wii are selected on a fairly rigid overworld map. For me personally, that's too bad, because I exploring the overworld always made quite a lot of fun and also somehow to the more modern Mario - belonged adventures. Now it may seem much easier for some to choose a level, which is why Nintendo has probably also chosen this path, however, affect the world in my opinion for a little more disjointed than the first part. Ultimately, this reduces though the game, if at all, only very little, but I find it personally as I said a little shame. But let's get it back to the stars, which need to collect it. On this one comes in very different ways. Time you have to collect Starshards, fly a bird through the area, outsmart gravity overcome on a ball narrow paths, master jump passages or defeat a big final boss. Variety is generally written over big here. So it is not surprising that to Marios previous panels like the bee or the mind, two new ones have queuing perfectly into the already present. It is these transformations make a great deal of variety, since Mario (or Luigi, who is a few tasks directly selected now) can be transformed by it in many other forms, which one naturally acquired new skills that always before a new , different challenges. I do not want to reveal too much, but the new transformations are very well done and the magic players ever like a smile on your face. But we come from the new transformations but directly to, for me, the biggest and best innovations. And this is definitely the appearance of Yoshi! In New Super Mario Bros. Wii still great announced, but unfortunately rarely playable, he is now one of the key elements of gameplay. This is further underlined by the fact that even Yoshi, just like in the old days, has been honored by the developers with different transformations. Although these rich I think in terms of creativity can not take the approach of Mario, but also provide again for a good amount of variety and testify to the inventiveness of the playmaker.
Exactly the opposite impression you get but by and now I turn the biggest for me criticism of the game, that the game is partly built up quite linear and thus often only leads a single, predetermined way to the star. Had earlier 3D Abenteueren with Super Mario is usually a great level where you could ersammeln the stars in any order and some had even really looking for, the games have been Super Mario Galaxy clearly linear, partly unfortunately the second part was again reinforced. Personally, I find that very unfortunate because it so the urge to explore, to investigate a level well away from the star, anticipates and nipped in the bud. Also, the incentive to visit a passing level again is therefore unfortunately scarce. Especially in view of the rather simple, in any case, but definitely not in serious difficulty level of the game and the built-in help system, which introduced in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and once again comes into play in a slightly different form, which for me is not a comprehensible decision. But maybe just because I disturb me and most of the falls, this aspect not only adversely affect.
Apart from this, for me striking criticism, but the gameplay is really almost perfect, because basically no boredom and frustration moments are very much the exception. The game is just plain fun and exactly therein lies the tasks of a video game.

The Control:

The control was of course largely taken over from the predecessor and still works as perfect as a few years ago. If Mario or Yoshi turns, then they can be different, of course, control usually a little trickier, but it is never so that they no longer could control Mario or Yoshi. They can be controlled precisely and do at any time what you type.

Graphics and sound:

Both graphics and sound are at the same high level of its predecessor, which already represented an absolute hammer graphics on the Wii. The melodies are the graphic splendor in every way and spoil the ear primarily with the typical, recurring Mario tunes that are in all the years somehow has grown fond of, but also with a few new pieces.

The Camera:

The camera can be combined with the compare of the predecessor. Sometimes it is still placed not quite perfect, but they can be readjusted in this case manually with a simple touch of a button.

The scope:

The game is at least as extensive as its predecessor, rather even a little longer, because I can tell already, that the game is not yet completely over to the 120 stars. To get all stars and to see everything in the game you need my opinion, depending on the style of play 25-30 hours.

The co-op mode:

This is probably because such thought in the first part, rather than adding a real play mode, even if you could improve the mode thoroughly, as the second player now controls a Luma one that allows you to attack enemies and can collect money. Nevertheless, one should this mode as I said not overrate, entertaining fun preparing a game for two, but in any case.

The conclusion:

In conclusion from my side, I was really pleasantly surprised by the game. I would not have thought it possible that the developers succeed more ways variety and fun to pack into the game. It's just huge fun, sometimes in between for a few stars to Mario - immerse universe and to be entertained. The few, of course, subjective criticisms detract from the gameplay at any time.
Everyone had fun at the first fruits, me the sequel will certainly happy. All other should get with this game, otherwise you will just something would escape!

I hope to have you helped with this review and of course delighted with feedback of any kind.