Mario and Luigi: Dream Team

Gameplay

Dream Team features gameplay similar to previous Mario & Luigi games, in which the player controls both Mario and Luigi, who explore the game's overworld together and fight in turn-based battles. Like the previous games, players can individually control actions with Mario and Luigi to attack and dodge enemies, and learn various 'Bros Attacks' by finding Attack Blocks. This game uses 3D graphics for backgrounds and pixel art for characters. Players are also now able to save their game anywhere on the overworld, as well as via Save Blocks, and some Bros Attacks make use of the 3DS' gyroscopic features. The Badge system from previous games is enhanced, allowing players to store multiple badge effects once charged, encouraging players to change up their badge combinations to store various effects. If the player loses a battle, they will have the option to try on an easier mode and receive optional hints for fighting certain enemies. The rank-system introduced in the previous game was refined as well, now giving players the ability to select certain bonuses upon reaching a new rank such as an additional equipment slot, further stat increases on level-ups or cutting BP-cost in half. Some bonuses can only be chosen once later ranks are reached. Due to there being more bonuses than ranks, it is not possible to get every bonus in one playthrough.

The main game takes place in the 3D top-down overworld of Pi'illo Island, where Mario and Luigi can explore the environment and fight side by side in battle. However, in order to rescue the Pi'illo Folk, who have become imprisoned in stone pillows, Mario will have to enter the Dream World via Luigi's dreams. The Dream World takes place in a 2D side-scrolling environment, where Mario is joined by Luigi's dream counterpart, Dreamy Luigi. Throughout these Dream World stages, players will find various phenomenons called Luiginary Works, which Dreamy Luigi can interact with. Whilst Dreamy Luigi is embedded in a Luiginary Work, players can interact with the environment by touching the real world Luigi on the touchscreen. For example, players can tweak Luigi's moustache to manipulate a Luigi-shaped tree to fling Mario to new areas with its branches, or make Luigi sneeze to create a gust of wind that blows blocks into the foreground. A recurring Luiginary Work sees Mario take command of a stack of Luigis known as Luiginoids, which takes on new abilities and forms as the game progresses, such as smashing through blocks, creating whirlwinds and rolling down hills.

Battles are also different inside the Dream World, as Mario combines with Dreamy Luigi and fights against large groups of enemies with assistance from the Luiginoids, which allow him to attack multiple enemies with successful attacks. In place of the Bros. Attacks are the Luiginary Attacks, which also incorporate the Luiginoids, such as tilting the console to steer a rolling ball of Luiginoids to run over an enemy. There are also some sections in which players control a giant Luigi by turning the 3DS on its side and using stylus controls (similar to the giant Bowser battles from Bowser's Inside Story).

Plot

The game opens at the Mushroom Kingdom when Princess Peach, Mario, Luigi, Toad and Toadsworth are flown to Pi'illo Island. There, they meet Broque Monsieur and Starlow, both returning from the previous game in the series, Bowser's Inside Story. Soon after they arrive on the island, the gang gets introduced to Antasma, the bat king, who soon teams up with Bowser. They seek to acquire the Dream Stone, a powerful artifact that grants its user endless wishes. Together, Mario and Luigi must defeat them to save the island while battling enemies and traveling through Luigi's dreams along the way. In the Dream World, Mario meets "Dreamy Luigi," Luigi's Dream World counterpart, who helps Mario navigate and battle in the Dream World. They also encounter Prince Dreambert, the ruler of the Pi'illos, who helps them in their quest. Once Mario and Luigi make it to Bowser and Antasma, Bowser reveals he'd been using Antasma the whole time and betrays his partner. He escapes with the Dream Stone, leaving Antasma to be defeated by Mario and Luigi. The Dream Stone is soon destroyed by Peach and Starlow, only for its fragments to be inhaled by Bowser, who transforms into an empowered living nightmare of himself called "Dreamy Bowser." Mario and Luigi defeat Bowser, who turns back to normal, rescue Peach, and finally return to their vacation on Pi'illo Island.

Reception

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team received mainly positive reviews. Reviewers largely praised the gameplay, humor, and soundtrack, but some criticisms were drawn towards the overabundance of tutorials and some pacing issues. The game currently holds a score of 81% on Metacritic.

As of December 31, 2013, it has worldwide sales of 2 million.