Mario & Luigi: Brothership

Nintendo's iconic plumber duo is back, and this time they're taking to the high seas in a truly epic adventure. Mario & Luigi: Brothership for Nintendo Switch marks the triumphant return of the popular RPG series. After ten long years of waiting, fans can dive once again into the side of the mustachioed brothers as they go on a journey filled with humor, heart, and most importantly, jumping galore.

A Voyage of Discovery

Brothership whisks players away to the vibrant world of Concordia, where Mario and Luigi find themselves stranded after a bee-chasing gone wrong. Appropriately named, Shipshape Island is both a vessel and launchpad for the brothers' island-hopping escapades. From the lush tropical paradises to bustling metropolitan hubs, each location in Brothership is full of personality and secrets to be dug out.

The story opens with signature panache and wit, as this series always does. New characters, such as spunky Connie and the lovable Snoutlet, join familiar faces from the Mushroom Kingdom in a cast sure to delight both newcomers and longtime fans. As the brothers unravel the mysteries of Concordia, players find themselves caught up in a story that's equal parts heartwarming and hilarious.

Battling with Brotherly Love

Brothership's combat system further extends the turn-based fighting with real-time elements that have come to define this series. While the core of Bros. Attacks remains the same as with other series games, it requires a bit more depth in terms of timing and brotherly coordination to perform truly devastating moves. This system keeps players active during fights and turns what would have been routine encounters into mini-games of skill and strategy.

Out of combat, the brothers will need to work together to overcome the varied environments of Concordia. Heavy puzzle-solving and exploration, with each brother bringing his something special to the table. Whether it's Mario's high jumps or Luigi's. slightly less high jumps, players will need every trick in the book to find all of Concordia's secrets.

By comparison, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team feels like a natural evolution of Brothership. Where Dream Team dove inward into the realm of Luigi's subconscious, Brothership expands outward, offering a more grounded yet no less fantastical adventure. The shift to fully 3D environments brings the world to life in ways previous entries could only dream of, making every island a joy to explore.

Review: 9.5/10

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is more than a return to form; it's a leap forward for the series. The vibrant visuals pop off the screen, showing what the Switch can really do while staying true to the Mario aesthetic. Character animations are fluid and so expressive it brings personality into every interaction.

The soundtrack by series regular Yoko Shimomura hits all the right notes in its adventure: be it jolly sea shanties or pulse-pounding battle themes, every second spent in-game is elevated.

Pros:

• Engaging combat system that blends turn-based strategy with real-time elements
• Gorgeous 3D environments that bring Concordia to life
• Charming story filled with humor and heart
• Diverse islands offer plenty of variety in gameplay and exploration
• Stellar soundtrack that enhances the adventure

Cons:

• Slow pacing in the early game might test some players' patience
• Combat system has a steeper learning curve compared to previous entries
• Some puzzle solutions can be obtuse, potentially leading to frustration