The Mario RPG gets a little of what Mario is really about.
Gameplay:
The gameplay is a mix of RPG with some classic Super Mario Bros. I think this is a great mixture, and should be done with more RPGs. Castlevania is also a game like this, and sadly, I can't think fo any more. One problem is that there is too much talking, even for an RPG. It is just not that bad because the dialog is always really funny. The RPG elements are that you collect items such as power ups, HP upgrades, ect., and that you always speak to other characters. The Super Mario Bros. feel is you defeat your enemies by jumping on them, you hit blocks, ect. The new thing about the game is how you change from 2D to 3D, and how you can point and click, which can only be done with the Wii. The gameplay, aside the too much dialog, is great.
I give the gameplay a 9.0.
Graphics:
The graphics does not wow the player, but it does the job. Now, I know the Wii can do better, and many people say that is all the Wii can do, but it's not. The Wii can do more. Another excuse is that it is Paper Mario, and everything is in paper. That, while true, it also has the 3D elements, and they do not look good. Even the GCN can do better, and that is sad.
I give the graphics a 6.0 because the Wii can do more, and if the game was made for the GCN, even the GCN can do better. There really is no excuse for the graphics.
Sound:
Same as the graphics, it is not good. The only cool part about the sound is how when you see a new Pixi, the music is a pleasure to hear. Other than that, the sound is very annoying. The music is good at times, but the sound effects are, at the most part, annoying. Also, like all the other Mario games, no voice acting. But, Mario and party do make sounds.
I give the sound a 7.0 because the music is overall good, but the sound effects are very annoying.
Value:
The story mode last 20 hours, give or take. But that is it, nothing else. There is nothing except the story mode. You can play with more than Mario, but I will not spoil it for you even though if you are reading this review, you would probably have already knew. The game also has a lot of unlockables, but that is typical of an RPG. I give the value an 8.0 because it is a good 20 hours, has many unlockables, but at the same time, no other modes or real replay value.
Tilt:
The game is very playable. It is fun, has many characters, but when you are done you are done. I do not think you would want to play the game over and over, but it depends on how you feel about the game.
I give the tilt a 7.0 because there isn't much in the game, but it is a blast to play for the whole 20 hours.
Overall:
Overall, the game is good. As most games, it has it's good and bads. The game lasts a good 20 hours, to most more. The environments change so you never feel bored of the game. An example is sometimes you are in water, and sometimes you are in outer space. The sound effects are annoying, the graphics are for the GCN, and the gameplay truly is the best part about the game. There is only one word to describe this game, and that word is "cool".