Mario & Luigi Switch: a missed opportunity for the fraternal epic

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Ten years. It took a decade to see Mario and Luigi again in a dedicated RPG. This excessive wait foreshadowed a resounding return of the two most famous brothers of Nintendo and of video games in general. The reality unfortunately turns out to be more nuanced. Mario & Luigi the brotherly epic offers certainly an adventure faithful to the spirit of the series, but which suffers from a lack of ambition and identity.

The story takes us far from the Mushroom Kingdom, into a new universe called Connexia. This world, fragmented into several islands by a mysterious event, mixes nature and electricity where one does not go without the other. A promising setting on paper, but which struggles to develop a real striking visual identity. The generic artistic direction does not help to immerse oneself in this universe which would have deserved more audacity.

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The plot follows an ultra-classic pattern: after being teleported into this unknown world, Mario and Luigi agree to help its inhabitants before to be able to go home. A simplistic narrative that never manages to create any real stakes.

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The battle system follows the same basics as Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga. Each brother is assigned an action button, allowing them to unleash attacks or dodge attacks. enemies with precise timing. The numerous animations bring a real touch of humor to the confrontations. The pace of combat remains dynamic thanks to quick transitions and limited loading times.

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The main new feature is Luigi’s genius moves system. This mechanic allows Luigi to analyze certain situations to unlock original solutions, both in exploration and in combat. When faced with specific bosses, this ability opens the way to spectacular sequences, such as throwing an opponent into fans to inflict bonus damage.

The game adopts a classic structure of island exploration, each housing its own challenges and inhabitants to help. Navigation between areas is done via the Navisthme island, a floating hub serving as a central base. While the fast travel system via colored pipes makes getting around easier, the content of the islands lacks variety beyond simple aesthetic changes.

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The progression system has been simplified, perhaps too much. Leveling up is automatic, leaving little room for character customization.

The inability to control Mario and Luigi independently represents a clear step backwards from previous installments. This incomprehensible decision limits the possibilities for exploration and puzzle solving.

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The lack of a co-op mode, which seemed natural for a game featuring two characters, is also a blatant missed opportunity. Such a mode would have helped to make up for some questionable choices regarding this Mario & Luigi on Switch, but its absence only adds to the overall disappointment of the title.

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This new iteration of Mario & Luigi is not completely lacking in assets. The fights retain their charm thanks to a successful mix of timing and strategy. The animations sometimes bring a bit of personality to this sad DA and the humor remains effective. But These qualities are not enough to mask the lack of ambition of this opus.

The series would have deserved a more profound overhaul after such a long absence. Instead, Mario & Luigi: The Brotherhood Epic is content to take tried and tested mechanics and add a few accessory features. A disappointing choice that does not do justice to the franchise's legacy, Superstar Saga being one of the best games in the entire history of the Game Boy Advance.

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