Storyline: 7.5/10

The story is quite simple really. Princess Peach finds a map that is rumored to lead to a lot of treasure, so she immediately calls Mario to help her find it. The treasure lies beyond the Thousand-Year Door. However, in order to get past the door, the seven crystal stars have to be collected. Mario has to find the seven crystal stars, which have been scattered all over the place. Mario isn't alone though, as there are some other villains who want to open the door first and expose the real truth of the Thousand-Year Door.

So the story is just like any other story, which isn't very original, but the story is easy to understand and it takes many different paths throughout it.

Gameplay: 8.5/10

The gameplay in any of the Mario RPG genres are pretty good and this game is no exception. Mario's moves are quite easy to control and the many different elements of the gamplay in this game are also very easy to do and are also very unique.

One of the more fun elements of the game is the combat. The combat is just as it was in the first Paper Mario, but now the battle takes place on a stage with an audience. There will be Mario lovers and Mario haters, so you will have to watch the crowd carefully. Successful moves and combos will make the crowd cheer and other people will come in. However, bad timing on attacks and defense will make audience members run out of the stage in shame. There are many things to watch in battle, such as the your condition, the enemy's condition, the audience, the scenery, and so much more. If you like complex combat, you will like the gameplay of this game.

Graphics: 8.5/10

The graphics of the game have improved from the first game, but only slightly. There are many different things to look at as the environments of the world you are wandering in change from a pleasant little town to an enchanted forest to a rusty castle to a fighting ring.

Sound: 8/10

The sounds and music of PM2 are just like the original game. It is nice to listen to, but nothing really interesting.

LastingAppeal: 7/10

Ok, the lasting appeal has decreased from the original Paper Maro. It is still fun to go back through the game and find all of the stuff that was missed, like star pieces, shine sprites, and badges, but it just seemed a lot more fun in the original than in the sequel.

Overall: 8.5/10

Ok, while this game wasn't the best Mario RPG genre game, this game was still a blast to play. It had most of the things that made the original great, while adding on some innovation and some memorable characters. In comparison to the original game, I would have to say that they are both equal.

 

-Rob (SlimKirby)