I have beaten all but the final 3 levels (only unlocked by getting all green stars, stamps, and golden flags).
272 Green Stars, 57 Stamps, with only World 1 bring perfect. I kinda rushed it, I collected what I could but if I missed something, o well.
I've had my fill for now, will play some more once I'm home for Thanksgiving so I can play Multiplayer with the family as I collect what I missed.
Overall the game so far is an amazing addition to the 3D Franchise and is seriously having me think on some points it has suprassed Galaxy. But I won't say much more on that matter as I feel the after glow of the game might be a little to fresh in my mind, but at the very least it is very close.
One thing I love here, once you get past the first few levels which are just meant to introduce the game, is that every level has a unique mechanic/gimmick and is rarely used again so nothing over stays its welcome and stays fresh. Another is that they keep certian power-ups scarce at the start but as the diffculty ramps up you see them more and more often. The Tanooki Suit and the Boomerang Flower in particular. The Tanooki Suit brings you a glide and a safety net, while the Bommerang is a better Fire Flower at damage potential and its ability to grab coins/green stars/stamps. Both again are much sought after in these later levels. Of course the Cat Suit is ever present throughout but not overused. It's advantages of greater attack, speed, and platforming are great but not perfect as it lacks range like the Flower/Boomerang Flower so they other power-ups are still relevant.
On diffculty the gameis a breeze for the first 2 worlds. It gradually builds until World 7 where I was finally losing more lives than gaining, and by World 8 I saw the game over screen twice. Now I can account more than 3/4 of my deaths are linked to when I trying to collect green stars / stamps. Once I lost +5 lives trying to get them would I give up as I wanted to finish the game more than collect at that point. Post game slaps your bum and steals all your lives, saw the game over screen another 5 times and I skipped a lot of stars still. I feel its a good diffculty curve with nothing suddenly rage inducing out of no where. Can't wait to fail more as I try and collect everything. The bosses were easy to moderate. Final Bowser was also still moderate but I adore the fact it isn't just a plain beat-em up and is 100% platforming boss unlike the others.
Music is phenomenal. Loving the mix of Jazz and orchestra with plenty of great tunes and remixes.
Again no concerate word on multiplayer but I can give you some insight on how I see the game would be different if played with more. I see 2 player probably being superior to 3-4 as it would probably be too hectic for my tastes. I can see me using your partner or myself as death fodder to make it easier to collect the more dangerous green stars / stamps while the other hangs out in the back sp you can come back in a bubble. ;p
Now on the negatives. None of them are game breaking, just things I can't pass as good. First of all not being able to switch characters unless you exit the level is kinda of annoying. There are very rare instances where a button must be used by a certain character to get a stamp, I found that odd. Some of the check points are placed very early on in the level. This doesn't become a problem tho until the latter levels when your trying to collect everything. Another minor gripe is the 8 directional movement, but I've gotten used to it.
Anyone else have anything to say?
