If you recently observed someone playing Mario & Luigi: Brothership for about an hour, you might be inclined to believe it’s one of the best Switch games and/or RPGs of the year. However, the game is much longer than just an hour. Brothership, the newest installment in the longstanding RPG series featuring Nintendo’s iconic duo, Mario and his dim-witted brother Luigi, possesses most of the necessary elements for an enjoyable adventure. The turn-based combat remains as entertaining as ever, particularly when combined with some of the most delightful visuals seen in a 3D Mario game. Additionally, the game includes a solid set of build-crafting mechanics aimed at a younger audience. Paired with a charming nautical setting, Brothership has the potential to be great – or at the very least, really good. Unfortunately, it settles for being just “fine,” falling short of truly carrying it through to the end.
The latest Mario & Luigi journey (without involvement from original series developer AlphaDream, which closed in 2019) boasts a compelling enough premise to keep players engaged, at least for a while. Mario and Luigi are tasked with traveling across Concordia, a series of disconnected islands in a vast ocean, in order to restore harmony by reconnecting each island to the Uni-tree. The game’s dialogue and humor are quirky and clever, although not as witty or funny as previous entries in the series. Brothership attempts to convey a socially relevant story about the power of connection, but it falls short in its execution, often feeling superficial.
The combat in Brothership remains a strong point, with turn-based battles requiring timed button presses for attacks and defenses. The addition of plugs, which offer unique combat effects and can be swapped during battles, adds a tactical element to the gameplay. Boss fights, while engaging, are few in number, and the Luigi Logic mechanic lacks depth. Outside of combat, players navigate small islands with simple puzzles and side quests that often feel repetitive and uninspired.
Overall, while the combat in Brothership shines, the game’s lackluster writing and repetitive side quests detract from its overall enjoyment. The platforming elements are pleasant but not challenging, and the game fails to offer enough variety and depth outside of combat to sustain interest throughout its lengthy runtime.