Nintendo 64 owners have been patiently waiting for a decent role-playing game and, at long last, one has arrived in the form of the perplexing
Paper Mario. World-famous video game icon Mario dons his familiar red overalls and unkempt moustache once more to star in this unconventional RPG. However, the catch is that Mario now stubbornly appears as a two-dimensional character--despite the largely 3-D exterior gaming environments that surround him. When our flat-headed friend turns around, his paper-thin presence becomes immediately apparent. It's a cool gimmick but fortunately
Paper Mario is far from a cut-and-paste cartoon caper.
As with most RPG titles, players must battle with several menacing enemies as they travel from place to place on their quest. Each encounter requires gamers to strategically choose between various modes of attack. As the adventure progresses, additional characters will join your quest. Your ever-growing posse gives you more fighting power as each team member brings new attack moves and powers worth mastering. To advance within the game, you'll need to pay close attention to your health metre, enemy hit points and your ever-expanding attack options. The game starts with enemies that are easy to defeat but it quickly becomes quite difficult to survive subsequent attacks without careful planning.
Unlike most RPG games, each attack sequence is enhanced by a special action function. Instead of passively sitting back and watching each attack move occur, the player can enhance their attack by pressing a button or moving the directional controller at precisely the right time. Fans of the traditional Mario games will appreciate the return of familiar characters, such as Princess Peach and Luigi. Perpetual baddie Bowser even plays a key role in this addictive adventure. Best of all, there are plenty of hidden areas and extras to uncover. Paper Mario may boast elements of the classic platform-gaming genre, as well as the traditional RPG but it ultimately cuts through all expectations to deliver an experience that appeals to both casual and hardcore gamers. --Brett Atwood
