Super Mario Odyssey: A Weird but Wonderful Adventure

Super Mario Odyssey: A Weird but Wonderful Adventure

Super Mario Odyssey, while wonderful and expansive, feels strangely unfamiliar. The author compares its unsettling quality to a bizarre Peanuts comic strip featuring out-of-scale adults.

A Unique Mario Experience

Odyssey offers massive, intricate levels filled with secrets and challenges. The gameplay, while incorporating classic Mario mechanics, is pushed further with the hat-throwing mechanic, allowing players to create temporary platforms.

A World Apart

The game’s unique aesthetic sets it apart from previous Mario titles. The worlds Mario explores often clash with his characteristically soft, cartoonish style, feeling more realistic and less “Mario-esque.” The author notes the jarring contrast in textures and art styles, citing examples like the Cascade Kingdom and New Donk City.

Self-Aware and Strange

The author ponders whether the game’s odd aesthetic is intentional, perhaps a commentary on other game genres. Ultimately, the author concludes that Odyssey’s strangeness is part of its charm, celebrating Mario’s adaptability and enduring nature. He is the eternal stranger, fitting into worlds that are not his own.