Originality: Never have I (I do not believe) been so let down by a games originality comparing it to it’s sequel I do not believe. This game, while an ode to the past, introduces little new designs, visuals, or interesting setting/story. I had my issues with the Penguin Vikings in Tropical Freeze having no explanation, but at least they looked cool and at least made some sense. I still don’t know what on Earth I just defeated at the end of Returns 3d… Overall a non-original, strange, and kind of creepy game. I would imagine my opinion on this game will be quite unpopular considering it sold tremendously.
8/20
Graphics: This game actually looks pretty good for a 3ds game (I suspect it’s due to the fact that they didn’t have to build the engine from scratch since it’s a port). Not too shabby to look at, but also no Kid Icarus Uprising either.
7/10
Art Style: Unlike Tropical Freeze, this game didn’t even bother to really introduce anything truly aesthetically revolutionary (except for maybe the black levels). I was rather disappointed with this.
7/15
Story: No references to past battles, enemies, or progression. Just another chase for Bananas. I’m tired of typing out long explanations for why it is so dumb for 2-d side scroller games to have NO story whatsoever so I’m not going to rant about it again. I’m just disappointed again. However, at least Tropical Freeze had somewhat interesting enemies and bosses. This game was just weird.
5/30
Game Interface: Everything was fine here!
5/5
Controls easy and fluid or difficult and rigid? Due to the smallness of your character, it was hard to time controls at points to dodge certain things (because things coming at you can barely be seen sometimes especially in carts, rocket ship, or doing boss fights unless you have 3d on fully). Other than this, it was fine.
3/5
Is it fun? Not as much as tropical Freeze. Not as much by a long shot. I don’t even desire to get all the unlockables in this game.
7/15
Total Score: 42/100
- Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition – 100 + 5 = 105
- Zelda Skyward Sword-98
- Zelda Minish Cap – 92
T4. Zelda Oracle of Ages – 91
T4. Metroid Fusion – 91
T4. Mario and Luigi: Bowsers Inside Story – 86 + 5 = 91
T7. Zelda Twilight Princess – 90
T7. Luigi’s Mansion Dark Moon - 90
T9.Guildwars 2 – 89
T9.Mario and Luigi: Dream Team – 89
11. Animal Crossing New Leaf – 84 + 5 = 89
T12. Pokemon X – 88
T12. Zelda: A Link to the Past – 78 + 10 = 88
T11. Kid Icarus Uprising – 88
T11. Darksiders 2 - 88
T11. Fire Emblem Awakening - 88
17. T16. Paper Mario Sticker Star – 83
T17. Zelda: A Link Between Worlds-83
19. Super Mario 3d land – 72 + 10 = 82
20. Batman: Arkham Origins - 81
21. Trine – 80
22. Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze* - 68 + 10 = 78
T23. Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D – 74
T23. Rome: Total War-74
25. Red Alert 3 - 70
- New Super Mario Bros. U - 66
- New Super Mario Bros.Wii – 57 *
- Assassins Creed 3 - 57
- Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition – 53*
- Kirby Squeak Squad – 43
- Donkey Kong Country Returns 3d – 42
By the way, I've introduced a new system into my grades. Any game that has a charmfulness in it that makes it amazing that can't really be explained can receive bonus points of +5, 10, or 15.
