by prfsnl_gmr Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:30 pm
Making good progress on Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2. It is a unique puzzle game - completely different from its GBA predecessor - and while there are some superficial similarities to Lemmings, I think it actually plays more like a RTS game. That is, to solve a puzzle efficiently, you have to manage the actions and movements of multiple moving parts simultaneously, and you typically can’t view all of them at the same time.
It’s fun and engaging, and the levels are generally pretty short. Each can be completed in a minute or two, and since the “par” scores aren’t too high, I can usually get a gold star in each level with only a few attempts (again, in contrast to the game’s GBA predecessor).
Finally, the in game graphics are nice, clean sprites, and the animated cutscenes look great. There is, however, an occasional drawing of Mario or Donkey Kong that looks distinctively off-brand. (It’s like something you’d see on a piece of Mario furniture from the ‘80s.) That can be kind of jarring. Also, some of the stock sound effects sound a bit cheap. (Mega Man Powered Up has the same issue.) The music is solid, though.
I am about 3/4 of the way through the third of nine worlds. I am hopeful I will be able to finish the game before the end of the month.