Cases like this don't permit me to review the original and its spinoff...3D World is a great platformer with terrible completion requirements. There you go for that review. Now I'm here to talk about the Switch port's side campaign, Bowser's Fury, which is not so much a side story as a mini Mario title and a legitimate entry in the 3D series.
The game starts with Mario falling down a paint portal into Lake Lapcat, an open map, where he is soon attacked by a terrifying kaiju-styled Bowser until he grabs a Cat Shine. Some islands rise, Fury Bowser is driven back by the light of a lighthouse powered by the Shine, and you explore and team up with Bowser Jr., desperate to return his dad to normal. There are a lot of Sunshine references in this game, which is pretty fun, but the gameplay style is more like Odyssey with some unique touches. Mario's moves are similar to Odyssey and the Shine collecting exploration is much like Power Moon hunting. However, the game is still based on 3D World with its enemies, objects, and power-ups. I loved the ability to store five reserve power-ups of each type to be selected and used at any time, making death less likely and progress more about selecting the right item rather than retrieving it. Bowser Jr.'s aid can be set to preference, and he can be directed to pick up items and paint graffiti for power-ups on certain spots, as well as being a controllable player 2. Each island in the lake has five associated Shines and they reload with a new mission each time you return until you have them all, like an early 3D Mario's separate missions with no loading times. There are several Shines unassociated with an island, and Plessie returns as transport to navigate quickly (warping is unlocked later).
Fury Bowser is the main gimmick, being a threat on a timer, arising from the lake and awakening every few minutes, reminiscent of The Imprisoned or the Blood Moon from Zelda. His attacks are dangerous but necessary to break special blocks hiding Shines, and he'll leave either by collecting a Shine during the attack (which deals small damage) or by waiting it out. Shines unlock the Giga Bells, which allow Mario to fight Bowser at an equivalent size, and the boss fight(s) are designed to the current standard of open strategy and multiple ways to attack or interrupt a pattern. Defeating him unlocks the next zone of islands, though he comes back twice and at the end, he'll awaken and not go away until defeated forever. The final boss may be the first time I've laughed at a Mario climax.
This game is short but feels fairly complete, and I'd consider it a full title in the series despite its length. It's satisfying (not too difficult or padded with easy fluff) and offers some top-notch atmosphere and comedy as well as more of what we love. Unfortunately for some, I think this game is reason enough to buy the Switch port. If you're a Mario fan, don't miss out.
Bowser's Fury review: Not to be missed.
Cases like this don't permit me to review the original and its spinoff...3D World is a great platformer with terrible completion requirements. There you go for that review. Now I'm here to talk about the Switch port's side campaign, Bowser's Fury, which is not so much a side story as a mini Mario title and a legitimate entry in the 3D series.
The game starts with Mario falling down a paint portal into Lake Lapcat, an open map, where he is soon attacked by a terrifying kaiju-styled Bowser until he grabs a Cat Shine. Some islands rise, Fury Bowser is driven back by the light of a lighthouse powered by the Shine, and you explore and team up with Bowser Jr., desperate to return his dad to normal. There are a lot of Sunshine references in this game, which is pretty fun, but the gameplay style is more like Odyssey with some unique touches. Mario's moves are similar to Odyssey and the Shine collecting exploration is much like Power Moon hunting. However, the game is still based on 3D World with its enemies, objects, and power-ups. I loved the ability to store five reserve power-ups of each type to be selected and used at any time, making death less likely and progress more about selecting the right item rather than retrieving it. Bowser Jr.'s aid can be set to preference, and he can be directed to pick up items and paint graffiti for power-ups on certain spots, as well as being a controllable player 2. Each island in the lake has five associated Shines and they reload with a new mission each time you return until you have them all, like an early 3D Mario's separate missions with no loading times. There are several Shines unassociated with an island, and Plessie returns as transport to navigate quickly (warping is unlocked later).
Fury Bowser is the main gimmick, being a threat on a timer, arising from the lake and awakening every few minutes, reminiscent of The Imprisoned or the Blood Moon from Zelda. His attacks are dangerous but necessary to break special blocks hiding Shines, and he'll leave either by collecting a Shine during the attack (which deals small damage) or by waiting it out. Shines unlock the Giga Bells, which allow Mario to fight Bowser at an equivalent size, and the boss fight(s) are designed to the current standard of open strategy and multiple ways to attack or interrupt a pattern. Defeating him unlocks the next zone of islands, though he comes back twice and at the end, he'll awaken and not go away until defeated forever. The final boss may be the first time I've laughed at a Mario climax.
This game is short but feels fairly complete, and I'd consider it a full title in the series despite its length. It's satisfying (not too difficult or padded with easy fluff) and offers some top-notch atmosphere and comedy as well as more of what we love. Unfortunately for some, I think this game is reason enough to buy the Switch port. If you're a Mario fan, don't miss out.