Eventually, later stages (and particularly some of the post-game worlds after the eight main ones) provide a maddening reminder that platformers can still offer a stiff challenge, even for us self-proclaimed experts. I should note that Super Mario 3D World shows a little restraint at first, and the initial four overworld areas don’t present much of a challenge for veteran Mario players. The pacing also gave me flashbacks as I reveled in the sheer brilliance of how much energy and gameplay mileage Nintendo has packed into every world. Traveling through the clear pipes constantly reminded me of propelling through the galaxy between planetoids. Obviously, Super Mario 3D World isn’t a sequel to the ingenious Super Mario Galaxy 2, but the overall design feels every bit as informed. 3, Super Mario 3D World doesn’t rest on its laurels or lean on any form of predictability. Much like the NES classic Super Mario Bros. I fought quirky new bosses and jumped across platforms on a speeding train. I rode on the back of a co-op controlled dinosaur named Plessie, and later sped through a charming stage paying homage to Super Mario Kart. I explored a circus carnival full of tricky platforms, then carefully rode on oversized ants by bouncing on their heads as they crossed over deadly spikes. These levels are even better than in SM3DL, since they have much more entertaining flair and don’t constantly reward you with enough extra lives to render death meaningless. Much like Super Mario 3D Land, many stages present a unique and clever idea, play with it, and then bow away gracefully before it becomes boring. The amount of visual variety genuinely surprised me, but just as importantly, the level designs take interesting risks and aren’t restrained by obligatory grassy-field motifs or other well-traveled Mario stage themes.
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