Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

"Clearly one of the best games of all time."

(Disclaimer: This is a review and will contain small spoilers related or connected to the game/story.)
(Disclaimer 2: This is my first review so forgive me if I run on or don't cover all angles of the game.)

Introduction:
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (SMRPG for short) is one of many Mario games that Nintendo has come out with during the years. However unlike some of them, this game was brilliant. Nintendo made this game with SquareSoft (now known as Square Enix) the famous makers of Final Fantasy and other good RPG games. It came out on the Super Nintendo years ago (1996) but is still played by almost everyone who ones one. This review will go over the points of the game and show why this game is one of the best.

Graphics: 10/10
SMRPG came out on the 16 bit SNES who's power usually only allowed side-scrolling games or 'birds-eye view' games but this had more of a 3-D look to it. The camera was positioned in the SE corner pointing NW but allowed the player to see everything. The games graphics were that of an N64 or PS1 and were actually a lot better then some because it didn't have the 'blocky' or 'clay' look to it. The areas are detailed very well and are designed for the camera but you can still see most things. The only things you can't see are things that are designed to be hidden. These graphics were incredible for the SNES and for its time.

Story: 9/10
This was one of the first games to trail away from the 'save the princess' story that Mario has made famous. the game starts with Bowser kidnapping Toadstool and you can guess what happens next. However the first twist is when Mario is about to untie Toadstool, a huge sword crashes into Bowser's Castle and sends Mario, Bowser and Toadstool flying. Mario then is sent on a journey to find Toadstool from Bowser but eventually find out that Bowser is not with Toadstool. Also Mario finds a Star Piece which are also involved int he story. The whole story in revealed in Tadpole Pond and in Forest Maze. The game also includes little side-storys that must be completed like rescuing the kids in Moleville or stopping the arrows in Rose Town. They don't directly have anything to do with the quest but must be done, increasing the story even more.

Sound: 10/10
The sounds are not annoying and the music is very addicting. After playing this game you will probably find you know the themes and sounds by heart. The only sound that may be annoying is the '1-up' sounds from other Mario games that sound when you are using Super Jump (Mario spell that allows you to jump over and over again on one enemy) after you do 5 jumps. However it is only really annoying when doing the 30/100 Super Jumps side quest in which I recommend turning the sound off so you don't hear it.

Gameplay: 10/10
The game uses a different form of finding battles. Instead of Final Fantasy's famous 'random battles' this game let you pick and choose battles by putting in the enemys in the area so you can avoid them if you want. The battle system is very simple, especially compared to the famous big confusing list of numbers and letters that most RPG's have. teh controls will be decribed under controls. It uses a world map to seperate areas so it is really easy to go from the last area to the first. Basically you don't to travel though the entire game to get back to the Mushroom Kingdom. Each area has tons of places to explore and if you don't explore well then you will miss out on some things but may find them on second or third times through the game which increases it's replayability. There are also things called 'hidden chests' which you can't see but if you jump and hit one then yuo get the item inside, there are 39 of these I think so look out for these. The game has tons of side-quests and mini-games to complete but aren't necessary to complete the game, but they are fun to do. Here is a list or most of the side-quests/mini-games. Booster Hill Chase, Knife Guys Juggling Game, Midas River, Melody Pond Melody Game, Grate Guy Casino, The 30/100 Super Jumps, The Find the Flag Game, The 6 Doors in Bowser's Castle, Goomba Thumpin' Game, The Beetle Mania Game Boy Game, Seed & Fertilizer Quest, The Dodo Game, Scaling the Land's End Cliff and the Seaside Town Mushroom Boy. In short the games design, exploration methods, side-quests and battle system are all very well done and allow this game to be liked by the people don't like RPG's because they have to battle for hours to get their level up, which isn't as neccessary in this game and can't be done in this game anyway because there are very few spots where the game has unlimited enemies.

Controls: 10/10
The controls are very simple for this game. Move is the control pad. Run is hold the Y button. Jump is the B button. Speak/Interact is the A button. Menu is the X button (it also is the pause). The controls don't take very long to get used to and the Battles are just as simple. A is attack, B is etc. (run and defend), Y is special attack and X is Item. Simple. Also the timed attack/defend can get some getting used to but isn't to hard. There are other controls to some other things in the game like the Midas River mini-game and the Booster Hill chase mini-game. Midas River: (waterfall) B is to climb and the control pad is to move, (barrel run) b is the only button used, it makes you jump. Booster Hill Chase: Control Pad is to move and the B button is to jump.

Characters:10/10
The characters are very detailed in design and personality. The game introduces many new characters to the Mario series, however most have not been used since this great game since SquareEnix owns the rights to them. The haven't been used in a game since but they should as there are many different types of characters. Cool (Geno), funny (Booster), weird (Bowyer), boring (Frogfusious), annoying (Toad) or stupid (Bowser [he's very dumb in this game]). This game has some very memorable characters and some you just want to forget.

Replayability: 10/10
SMRPG is one of those games that never gets boring. If you play it non-stop then ti will but you will always go back to this game and play it again or try to complete more of the many side-quests that are in this game. I have been playing this game over and over for 9 years and I still love it.

Conclusion:10/10
Nintendo was in it's glory days at this time and was working with Square. This game had everything an RPG game is supposed to have. The wonderful story, the great graphics, the side-quests and the easy controls make this game a fun, funny and great game that should last anyone for many years. It has lasted me 9 years and counting.

Rent/Buy
Chances are that you wont find this for rent but even if you could I would still say BUY. This game is Game of the Century worthy. If you like Mario or RPGs, then definetly try to find this game. If you are a little skeptical, then I hope you have a friend that has it so you can try it first.

This game could be the best Mario game of all time, the best Super Nintendo game of all time, the best RPG game of all time or quite possibly...

The Best Game of All Time.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/28/05