Mario & Luigi: Brothership Review – A Fun, If Familiar, RPG Adventure

Image credit: Nintendo

The latest entry in the beloved Mario & Luigi RPG series, Brothership, takes players on a whimsical adventure across a vibrant world. The game’s most innovative feature is its unique “telescope” mechanic, which serves as a portal to explore different islands. This mechanic, coupled with the game’s name, hints at the core gameplay loop. Players traverse a ship-like hub called Shipshape, connecting scattered islands via lighthouses. This allows for frequent exploration and discovery, with each new island offering a fresh environment and challenges.

Island Hopping and World Building

While the overarching narrative might seem a bit outlandish, with anthropomorphic plug sockets and the concept of connecting islands via lighthouses, it serves as a framework for exploration and diverse environments. The game successfully uses this structure to deliver engaging puzzles, memorable characters, and captivating storylines.

Luigi Logic and Classic Mechanics

Brothership seamlessly blends classic Mario & Luigi mechanics with innovative elements. The “Luigi Logic” system introduces fun puzzle sequences that leverage Luigi’s unique perspective and problem-solving abilities. These moments often lead to engaging gameplay, reminiscent of the series’ golden age, such as coordinating Mario and Luigi’s actions in platforming sections or controlling Luigi remotely.

Accessible Gameplay and Combat

The combat system, while fun, does become slightly repetitive over the course of the game. While there are creative enemy designs and engaging boss encounters, the core combat mechanics can feel familiar after extended gameplay. The game introduces a plug system that provides strategic options and modifiers, but the core combat loop still focuses on basic attacks and special moves.