Some things you need to know if you're looking into Partners in Time
a) are a Mario game fan;
b) have played Mario RPG games before;
b) enjoy RPG games in general; and
c) are looking for something casual.
If none of the above refers to you, you can continue browsing GameSpot and forget about this title. You will have much more fun with something else.
If all of the above refers to you, you can continue browsing GameSpot and then pick up this title when you have a chance. You will enjoy it.
For those of you whom some of the above applies to but not all, read on:
First off, if you've never played a Mario RPG game before, this is not the best introduction to the series. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed it, it's just that Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario are constantly on people's "Best Games of All Time" lists. They are the pinnacle of the "platform RPG" and you would be much better served with one of those. Of those two, I suggest Paper Mario, as it's easily attainable on Wii's Shop Channel. Super Mario RPG for the SNES, on the other hand, is pretty hard to come by (unless you live in a PAL region or in Japan -- those lucky bastards can get it off of Wii Shop Channel).
Secondly, this game is very straightforward and requires little attention. I have a lot of fun being meticulous and absolutely neurotic with my RPG's, and they certainly cater to that if you want to spend time totally engrossed in M&L's little world. However, if you just need something to play on the bus, or if you're trying to talk on the phone while you play, this game is barely a distraction. You really don't have to pay attention to conversations; you can be strategic in battles, but it's not necessary; you will almost always know where you're supposed to go next; and there is absolutely no level grinding. It's very RPG lite.
Thirdly, this game is fun. There's enough platform elements in it to make it unique from other RPG's and everything from battles to puzzles feel like fun little mini-games.
Lastly, it's Mario. Any game with the 1-up noise, Mario's and Luigi's voices, or a battle with Bowser keeps me interested. If you're like me, you're very easy to please, and all you need is for someone to shake that nostalgia tree to feel sated. This game pulls that off. There's a funny alien plot that makes it seem at times a little out of place in the Mario universe, but there's Mario-isms elsewhere to keep it all tied together nicely.