SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY REVIEW

Jump Up, Super Star

Sometimes, a game affects you so much that you need to talk about it, no matter how long ago it came out. That's a game like Super Mario Odyssey, a game that reaches new heights for the series. As a lifelong Mario fan, few games brought such joy as Odyssey did. A tribute to the series' past while also pushing it forward, Odyssey is for sure a masterpiece of a game.

A Brand New Journey

Super Mario Odyssey isn't treading any new ground in regards to its story. It's the classic "Bowser Kidnaps the Princess" tale told since the NES days. This time, however, Bowser's goal is to straight-up marry Peach. Gotta give the guy props for ambition, I guess. Bowser's wedding planing takes him all over the world(?) to various kingdoms to get the necessary ingredients for the perfect ceremony. Thus, Mario must follow.

This, ahem, Odyssey takes Mario to some of the most diverse locales he's ever been too, save for the Super Mario Galaxy series. There's the usual Forests, Deserts, and Snow worlds, but there's also locales never before seen in a Mario game. From the the Tim Burton-inspired Cap Kingdom to the NYC-inspired Metro Kingdom, each level had its own distinct art style and gameplay. It helped that each kingdom had its own unique inhabitants as well. Each kingdom truly felt like it's own distinct place, and with each kingdom being its own sandbox, the kingdoms naturally lent themselves to exploration.

This game takes Mario to locales he's never been to before.

Speaking of which, exploration is the name of the game in Super Mario Odyssey. Where most games would punish you for going off the unbeaten path, Odyssey wants you to do so. More than likely, you'll be rewarded with your curiosity with a Power Moon. Go ahead, explore, and don't worry about dying. The only consequence for losing all of your health is having a meager ten coins taken away. I won't spoil it too much, but in one of the kingdoms, instead of falling off the edge leading to a game over, it actually takes you to a brand new area.

Oh Cappy, My Cappy

Exploration would be pointless if the gameplay weren't great. Don't worry about that, though. This is a Mario game through and through, which means the gold standard of platforming. This isn't surprising. The one constant throughout the whole Mario series has been tight platforming. Each 3D Mario platformer since Super Mario 64 has added a new feature integral to the game, and Odyssey introduces Cappy.

Cappy is your companion this time around.

Cappy, who takes the form of Mario's iconic hat, gives you the ability of possession. Possession adds a whole new dimension to the gameplay. You can possess any creature in the kingdom, as long as it's not wearing a hat. And the possession is the key to progress in these kingdoms. In a kingdom full of water and don't want to worry about running out of breath? Possess a Cheep Cheep and swim away. Have a wall blocking your way that's conspicuously breakable? A Chain Chomp can be flung in its direction to knock it down. Have a cheese wall blocking your way? There's probably a Hammer Bro nearby, who have the ability to break through them. (Yes, this is an actual scenario in the game.)

While possession is Cappy's main function, he does have other, more minor uses. He can be thrown to find some out of the way coins, which can prove very useful. Other uses include killing smaller enemies that can't be possessed, and also being used as a platform to give some extra height. Cappy's a great addition to the series, but I don't necessarily want Odyssey's unique feature to be copied. (Maybe the next Smash Bros. game can have Mario utilize Cappy instead of F.L.U.D.D.?)

Never A Dull Moment

Super Mario Odyssey simply has SO MUCH to do. You can't go around the corner without finding a moon. Some may say that the game is too easy. Odyssey is not a hard game at all. Playing through the campaign was not a difficult task. The true challenge is going outside of the main story. Finding Power Moons can range from a puzzle to mind-staggeringly easy. And that's the beauty of this game.

As I said earlier, Super Mario Odyssey rewards you for exploring, for going off the beaten path. For doing something as simple as jumping rope, or ground pounding an area of the group that is sparkling. It wants you to explore and experiment, and most of the time, it will reward you. I can see some complaining about how many moons there are, and how downright simple it is to get some, but I see that as a strength. 

Odyssey is a celebration of the series' history, and includes the return of some old friends.

Super Mario Odyssey is one of those special games. A defining game of a generation. In a year where Nintendo had already released Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey stands on that same level. A celebration of the series' entire history, Odyssey looks forward by keeping an eye in the past. Long after the story is played through, Odyssey has so much more to offer. A no-brainer for Switch owners, Super Mario Odyssey is a game that will be remembered.