In the multiverse of possible and imaginable worlds, then
even beyond the videogame boundaries drawn by the consoles that we so
love, pairs of heroes always work wonderfully, especially if they
differ both physically and in psychological characterization.
Let’s think of the Dynamic Duo par excellence, Batman
and Robin, or Sonic and Tails
to stay with a classic arcade theme.
However, I am convinced that very few odd couples can rival the most famous plumber brothers in video game history: I am referring to the Mario brothers (which is the surname, remember that, praise Nintendo’s imagination!): Mario and Luigi are perhaps the longest-lasting and most solid pair ever, far removed from the disputes of the quarrelsome Gallagher brothers of the band Oasis and always ready to save the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser and his nasty gang’s regular attacks.
The news of the imminent release of a new title that will see them starring together is like honey spread on bread in the morning: Mario & Luigi Brothership
even from the title alone it can only tickle our refined palates as hardened video game players!
The official date is November 7, 2024, a day that will lay the
foundations, in addition to the return of the “duo” saga nearly ten years after the previous chapter,
for a whole series of major new developments around the franchise.
Innanzitutto è già di dominio comune il fatto che non
saranno gli AlphaDream, sviluppatori
storici della saga RPG, a occuparsi della nuova iterazione di Mario &
Luigi, e il motivo è presto detto: l’azienda ha dichiarato bancarotta nel 2020
e la casa delle idee di Kyoto, che in fatto di lungimiranza e fiuto per gli
affari è paragonabile a Lord Baelish di Game of Thrones, ha immediatamente
acquisito tutti i diritti relativi alla serie, di fatto riportando a casa i
suoi figlioli prodigi. Questo significa, in soldoni, che la serie Mario & Luigi RPG riparte in un
certo senso da zero, inaugurando con questo titolo attesissimo un nuovo corso
per le avventure dei fraternauti.
But why Fraternauti, you may be asking.
One of the most enticing new features, in fact, concerns the game setting, which will no longer be the now all-too-familiar Mushroom Kingdom, but rather Concordia, a world where you can sail among paradisiacal islands and others filled with unimaginable dangers aboard the Shipshape Island, which, as the name suggests, is not really an island and not even an ordinary ship, but a hybrid in full Nintendo style! Mario and Luigi will be able, as tradition dictates, to customize the eccentric vessel during their perilous journeys, and between cannon fire and encounters with bizarre creatures they will have to make their way (or sail away?) through a fully three-dimensional environment, this too is one of the innovations with which the Big N wants to potentially distance itself from the AlphaDream-branded past.
The game’s plot revolves around the concept of returning home by the mustached brothers,
making a not-too-subtle reference to the aforementioned events concerning the franchise rights: another fundamental narrative leitmotif
will be the brotherly love between Mario and Luigi, a deep
and powerful connection through which, via their bond, certain puzzles and obstacles can be overcome
only if the two are united enough to collaborate.
The screenshots released show graphics that at times reminded me, for some reason, of Luigi’s Mansion, especially as far as the protagonists’ character design is concerned, which is a good thing because the two plumbers are beautifully characterized and the levels shown in the preview boast picturesque tropical landscapes and convey an unmatched sense of exploratory freedom.
It seems like centuries have passed since that funny little red man with the overalls proudly showed himself in profile, his gaze fixed on the menacing incoming mushroom goomba and the first, legendary question-mark block to hit with a good punch: since then, he and his brother have come a long way.
E salti!
Simon Larocca
Mi chiamo Simon Larocca, e sono un videogiocatore, collezionista e amante della cultura pop in tutte le sue forme. Vado al cinema ogni volta che posso, leggo da quando porto gli occhiali, quindi da sempre, e ho la passione per lo storytelling in tutte le sue forme, così dirompente da farla diventare una professione. Ma come direbbe Doc di Ritorno al Futuro, non ci sarebbe presente se non si guardasse al passato con rispetto e ammirazione, ed è il Simon bambino di più di trent’anni fa, anno più anno meno.
Simon Larocca
Mi chiamo Simon Larocca, e sono un videogiocatore, collezionista e amante della cultura pop in tutte le sue forme. Vado al cinema ogni volta che posso, leggo da quando porto gli occhiali, quindi da sempre, e ho la passione per lo storytelling in tutte le sue forme, così dirompente da farla diventare una professione. Ma come direbbe Doc di Ritorno al Futuro, non ci sarebbe presente se non si guardasse al passato con rispetto e ammirazione, ed è il Simon bambino di più di trent’anni fa, anno più anno meno.
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