Fun and Simple Combat
As Dream Team remains true to the series, the combat system is somewhat similar to Bowser Inside Story and other titles in the series. The things you can do in battle like counter attacking, hitting certain buttons to dodge, and the simple stomping mechanics are there. Players who are good at timing things right will benefit from this game as it’s one of the things players will have to do in order to be successful in battle.
One of the things I like in Dream Team is the Bros. Attack where both characters can benefit each other’s powers. Since the title of the game is “Dream Team”, you will show a bunch of attacks from both characters that involves team work in the game – you can do an attack that turns Luigi into a big ball and you roll him to bunch of dreamy Luigi to make it bigger and powerful when it hits the enemies – think of it as Katamari style. In addition, there are other Bros. Attacks that both can do like kicking a shell back and forth until the very end for a very massive damage. As always, precision and right timing will be needed to be successful in battle.
NOT
Predictable Story
Players who rather want a surprising ending or an unexpected plot will be disappointed in Dream Team. The story of the game is more or less predictable. Sure, there are times it gives nice surprises but the overall plot can be predicted already right from the very beginning. It’s not a very big deal but it just ruins the excitement since players play RPGs for story and want to see some sort of shocking plot twist. However, the witty story is still there to make you play until the very end.
Linear Progression
Unfortunately, Dream Team doesn’t have non-linear gameplay where you can do side things aside from the main story. From start to the finish, you will be going through one path that can get tedious at times. Sidequests are rare and if there’s any, it will be easy to get and will not require any effort. Those who are expecting some sort of a different flavor in the storyline or gameplay will not find it here since what you play is what you’ll only get with no extras whatsoever.
Veeeeeeerrryy Slow Intro
Don’t you hate when a game, specifically in a RPG, takes a while to get into the main story? Well, you will get to see that in Dream Team and can get boring on the first few hours. As soon as you arrive in Pi’illo Island, you will do all sorts of unrelated things already that will make you think, “What is going on?”. The game will keep you away from the plot of the game for several hours doing things that are really not necessary or needed. Some of the things they have you do is fun but some are just annoying and you wish they would just get on with the story. Another thing players will notice is the endless talking. In my playthrough, it felt like that I’ve spent too much time talking rather than enjoying the things that I can do in the game.
VERDICT
Being the fourth title in the Mario & Luigi series, I must say that AlphaDream did a decent enough job to make Dream Team a fun game. In all aspects, the game is not the best in the series but it’s not the worst either. The game has slight flaws that are hard to neglect since they are apparent in the first few hours of gameplay. However, fans of the long running series will still be able to enjoy Dream Team regardless. As always, gamers who will get into the game will be greeted with a witty story, fun gameplay, and an adventure where you will not forget Luigi since this is the first time he will be the main star of the game.
[Editor’s Note: Mario & Luigi: Dream Team was reviewed on the Nintendo 3DS. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]
Nicole D
August 23, 2013 at 7:30 PMFunny story, great play when you actually get to do something. So much talking it gets really old. I found myself getting antsy to actually play many times throughout the game.