1. Swapping that for level linearity is not a good remedy, as it just becomes a set of tasks instead of a level to play.

2. That is not the focus of the 2D Mario games, which was getting to the goal any way you could. Stomping and platforming were just some of those options. Options. These levels still look to have too many spots where you are required to do something in a certain way.

3. That is just a scapegoat, as the controls of the Galaxy games were still simple. People didn't have a problem with the controls. They had a problem with a game that didn't feel like a Mario game (even though I like them).

4. A dash button? Last I checked, pushing the analog stick all the way was supposed to be dashing. Plus padded out levels are what makes slower pace, not slower running speed. And adding a clock is not really reducing the padding that much either. It's instead made the level design dumbed down for both the 3D and 2D games.

5. Another scapegoat, as Galaxy found ways to position correctly and it still didn't catch on. Have you forgotten about that?

The level design has to play like the 2D Mario games, and if you think they do here, you need to play those games again, and try to see how many ways you can beat a level.

The bolded is wrong so your whole theory falls apart.

So since we all agree its not superficial, we will just wait and see how it sells. Of course it wont sell like the 2d marios before it, it will sell even better :D

END again.

Actually we don't all agree. I think their changes are superficial as well.  Re opened.

1. Swapping that for level linearity is not a good remedy, as it just becomes a set of tasks instead of a level to play.

2. That is not the focus of the 2D Mario games, which was getting to the goal any way you could. Stomping and platforming were just some of those options. Options. These levels still look to have too many spots where you are required to do something in a certain way.

3. That is just a scapegoat, as the controls of the Galaxy games were still simple. People didn't have a problem with the controls. They had a problem with a game that didn't feel like a Mario game (even though I like them).

4. A dash button? Last I checked, pushing the analog stick all the way was supposed to be dashing. Plus padded out levels are what makes slower pace, not slower running speed. And adding a clock is not really reducing the padding that much either. It's instead made the level design dumbed down for both the 3D and 2D games.

5. Another scapegoat, as Galaxy found ways to position correctly and it still didn't catch on. Have you forgotten about that?

The level design has to play like the 2D Mario games, and if you think they do here, you need to play those games again, and try to see how many ways you can beat a level.

Did you just say platforming is an option? There aren't many stages you can get through simply by walking to the right. Platforming isn't an option in a Mario game, it's a necessity.

It will sell in droves. Just a few days left guys.

Having said that, as for the fun of 3D in a 2D/3D hybrid like this I think the fact that the camera is fixed most of the time removes the 3rd axis for a lot of the gameplay so the too much space argument isn't so strong. @forced tasks: Where and what exactly?