We could say that the Mario + Rabbids equation has resulted in a XCOM-style video game. However, the combined action of Ubisoft and Nintendo is more than the sum of the parts. We have not only two licenses together, but also two ways of understanding video games ... which are not really so different. Analysis of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle.
Davide Soliani (creative director) said that the first thing
Shigeru Miyamoto told him is to show his personality in this new video game, to
show him new things to surprise him. Ubisoft Milan has enjoyed the absolute freedom to create a title that has
gained our attention with the passage of time. First in E3, then in a more
in-depth contact, and finally in this review.
Three reasons explain the success of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom
Battle as a video game. The first is the
strong collaboration between Ubisoft and Nintendo, which has not been limited to mere promotional bureaucracy,
but there has been an exchange of experience between developers. The second has to do with the fantastic balance
achieved between two licenses so nice, but at the same time so different from
each other. The third is the success in choosing the genre, a video game strategy-tactical XCOM that,
paradoxically, is fresh and innovative.
Although there is one last element, which you realize while
playing. There is much passion deposited
in the title. Own love for the Rabbids, but also for Mario and his companions.
All this is reflected in a fun, very
complete, replayable, fairly durable, cooperative title that shines in both
artistic and sound (with the participation of composer Grant Kirkhope).
Nintendo Switch adds to its catalog a quality video
game that aims to the fans of the strategic shifts, but without leaving
anyone behind.
An exemplary game design
The reason for the success of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
is in a playable design based on layers. In the most superficial you see
characters moving gracefully through scenic scenes. However, as you step into
the adventure, you realize that this is not a ride. Difficulty already makes
things difficult for you from the first world, and although at first you only
learn to cover yourself and shoot, sooner rather than later you will be
combining actions in a learning cycle that never stops.
You learn to attack melee, to jump over enemies, to heal
your allies ... and to connect all the
actions mentioned in the same turn (yes, it is possible). Satisfaction comes
when you see that these basic notions blend to give you an easy-to-understand,
but complicated game to master. When you think you have everything under
control, you get a hellish level where you are
crushed over and over again.
You can accept the suggestion of the game
and put that battle in easy mode, but if your pride tells you otherwise, then
you must rethink the strategy, or choose to improve your team.
If you have grown your characters enough, it is your strategic ability that fails. If you have a good tactic, but you do not succeed, you do not have the best equipment. This is the playable balance, the key to understanding Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. Surrounding it is everything else, in the form of levels that, although sometimes accuse some repetition, show, in general, a variety of approaches.
If you have grown your characters enough, it is your strategic ability that fails. If you have a good tactic, but you do not succeed, you do not have the best equipment. This is the playable balance, the key to understanding Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. Surrounding it is everything else, in the form of levels that, although sometimes accuse some repetition, show, in general, a variety of approaches.
The enemies are themed in different
situations (prairie, desert, snow ...)
and present different patterns - with a very strong AI - in the about 20 hours
of the campaign. This has great merit.
At the end of each tour,
there is always a great and witty boss, the icing
on a strategic-tactical cake loaded with humor. Soliani, director of the game,
told us that the real challenge was to combine both universes (Mario and
Rabbids). Although "cartoons" style, these are two different
conceptions that have been combined through an outstanding artistic section. Tubes
with rabbit ears, a giant Rabbid with Donkey Kong tie, or the "Rabbidian" versions of Mario, Luigi or
Peach are just a few of the examples you will
see in this hilarious version of the Mushroom Kingdom.
The video game is loaded
with details and winks, always humorous. Every world is a discovery. They are
iconic places in the Super Mario saga but
transformed with passion and audiovisual talent. Grant Kirkhope, the legendary
composer of music in Banjo Kazooie, puts the melodies, with 40 themes that
stand out for a rhythm that is adapted to each situation, dominating the
musical joy so characteristic of the artist. It is a sensational section because it not only complements the action but dares to play with it. Masterly.
There are minor oversights in the presentation of the video
game: scenes that are cut prematurely, some small unimportant bug and a font
for conversations (translated into Spanish) that stylistically does not fit too
much. However, the successes win by thrashing, with an extraordinary array of weapons
to buy and a forceful tree of skills - specific for each character- that
invigorates the sense of progression in the adventure, both active and passive
skills.
Mario is the balanced character, Luigi the expert in heavy
armament, Peach the healer ... Each
protagonist defends a role, class. Mario
+ Rabbids Kingdom Battle owes its triumph as
a strategic-tactical experience to which we can choose the trio of combatants,
depending on each situation. From the balance established between selecting
heroes, fighting, getting coins and improving equipment (all within a perfect feedback scheme), playable interest
arises.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Nintendo Switch
Moreover, it is not
all battles. The game is built on the
mechanics of exploration. The fighting alternates with times when we must
advance, in some cases solving puzzles that, although not surprising, are at a
good level. They enhance the feeling of variety, although the best thing is
that we can deviate at certain points from the main route to look for
collectibles: in the style of figures, sketches or melodies.
So revisiting worlds once completed is an important dynamic
of replayability, something that can stretch the duration even more. Moreover, if not, there are also challenges,
some of them not only based on defeating enemies, but on some turns, or escorting a character until the
end of the journey.
This also serves to
win more coins and skill points, an aspect
that helps to move forward.
All this makes us speak of a playable scheme perfectly
measured, in which all the parts are integrated.
In the nucleus, we had strategic-tactical dynamics in appearance simple but loaded with depth. On the outside
are challenges and collectibles that help us stretch the duration, but also
expand the chances of improving equipment. What I have said, a title with a
multitude of layers, invisible at first sight, which
once discovered show its extraordinary value.
Even the local cooperative for two players is integrated within this logic. As we overcome
individual worlds, specific levels are unlocked
for this modality, which will enhance overall enjoyment as well as total
duration. Moreover, it is surprising.
Maybe it is the best conclusion, which Mario + Rabbids is pleased with the
talent and passion applied, marvels at his careful audiovisual aspect, hooks
because he is always teaching you new things and encourages you to play an
expert in strategy games or be this your first contact.
It is the first game with true collaboration between Ubisoft
and Nintendo, and the results are more than evident. Accessible but deep, it is
a title that makes coexist with two disparate licenses, which end up being
understood by the multiple bridges that are
tended. Users of Nintendo Switch are in luck, and Ubisoft Milan as well.
Of course, with this precedent, we will be more aware of what leaves its
offices from now on.
One thing is a strategic and commercial alliance, and
another is a real collaboration between development teams. Mario + Rabbids
Kingdom Battle responds to this last conception. The result is a video game of
strategy and tactics that fuses with extraordinary success two universes, but
also two ways of making video games:
those of Ubisoft and Nintendo, that in fact turn out to be not so different.
Humor, talent, accessibility, and depth
go hand in hand in a durable, fun and high-quality title. Good news for Nintendo
Switch, which adds another great exponent to its catalog.
-Zardoz-
8.0
EXCELLENT
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