Colour us impressed.
For any long-running series, innovation is key to keeping fans coming back for more without getting too bored. Gameplay tweaks and changes to the setting can work wonders in refreshing a stale format, but some might argue that if an idea ain't broke, then don't keep trying to fix it. The Paper Mario series has been no stranger to these changes over the years, nor have recent titles avoided their fair share of controversy and scorn as they step further away from more traditional RPG roots. Things came to a boil with the release of on 3DS in 2012, which some considered to be a drastic leap in the wrong direction.
Enter ; it was revealed earlier this year to a lukewarm response and carrys with it the dubious honour of being one of the last major Nintendo titles on Wii U. In many ways it has something to prove, and despite following in the footsteps of that contentious Sticker Star format, it stands much taller as a more confident, complete title with a real sense of life and adventure to it. It hasn't revolutionized the system and isn't a total return to form, but we reckon there are enough welcome surprises in store to change more than a few uncertain minds.
Read the