Mother 3 - Who's your Mommy?

NewClassic_v1legacy

Bringer of Words
Jul 30, 2008
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[img_inline caption="Who's Your Mommy?" align="center"]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/M3t.png[/img_inline]

There comes a time when you've waited too long for something. The elderly lady still waiting for her husband to return from World War II is certainly a victim of this. For many of us, recently, the time of waiting was over with the release of Fallout 3 or Fable 2. Being a huge fan of both of these series, I was eternally happy for my fellow gamers, (and still apologetic to you Duke Nukem Forever subscribers), but my fandom came in a smaller form. My fandom had granted me Mother III, the sequel to Earthbound [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.70474], my favorite RPG on the SNES, and possibly favorite game of all time.

Mother 3 was quite unlike what I was expecting. Having the rocky history of being a planned title for the Nintendo 64 [http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=6pcd9VnnXSQ], this game was delayed considerably, and thought to have been canceled all-together. Years later, it was announced that production for Mother 3 would resume, and my fanboy alarm hit an all-time high.

Mother 3 surprised me in a lot of ways, in the sense that it changed so many things, without making the changes hurt. There was a lot to like about Earthbound, and Mother 3 adjusted these things in a way that wouldn't alienate the fans at all. The game still has a lot of the wacky humor and bright colors, but still manages to hit a lot of emotional chords. The game blends serious and silly with such a deft hand that you never feel your mood terribly taxed, at least, not enough to put the game away for being too depressing.

The story, unlike it's predecessor, manages to cover a whole series of characters and events instead of just a single protagonist, like Earthbound does. By the end of the day, this storytelling style improves vastly on Earthbound's, because it leaves the player with a clearer picture of all that went on, and how it happened. A very, very well done game, all in all.

[img_inline caption="That right, he's putting on lipstick and foundation.
Shame about the 5 o'clock shadow..." align="right"]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/DragQueensaretheepitomeofmagic.png[/img_inline]
A lot of the game's history with quirky situations still shines through, I'd even dare suggest to a stronger degree at some times. Some of the plot devices are down-right silly, demanding even the most absurd of situations from you. To point out just one, out of context, is that the game's magical-fairy equivalent are beings that live in inanimate objects like rocks or seashells. They're also drag-queens... That's right, you didn't hear me wrong, they're actually cross-dressing men. Very foppish, super fabulous~ men.

I would explain in more depth about the story, but I could not do so without some spoilers. In short, though, the story is centered around the progression of the protagonist's home-town, and how it evolves and grows during the length of the story, and how that affects the characters and the events that arise throughout the game. To say anything else would be spoiling something.

A lot of my complaints about the game mechanics of old are gone, making me feel like they were addressed personally by the game developers. The HP slot system makes a triumphant return, allowing the user more time for those last minute kills and last minute heals. Adding to that, the game also added a combo system, which enables the user to add hits per turn, set to a background pulse of the battle theme, depending on which of the 70+ battle themes the battle calls for.

Dum dum, dum-dum-dum, dum dum-dum-dum-dum, dum, dum, etc.

My only footnote for the combo system is there's no tutorial for it. The way I learned was by watching online videos and guessing where the beats belonged, then testing in-battle. The game gives you no mention of how it's done, whether it's tempo-based or anything. So, if you can, pick it up on your first few battles, as it's necessary to win battles later on in the game.

As well as the issue of slowness, there's been a dash feature that's been added to the game. It's a toggle-to-start dash feature that stops if you run into anything or anyone head-on, it's a much appreciated tool that makes traveling, especially long distances, less irritating.

Overall, the gameplay went out of it's way to fix most of the problems, and kept what was great to it's own devices, vastly improving the play experience.

[img_inline caption="My Tank is Dance!" align="left"]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/MyTankisDance.png[/img_inline]
The battle system, especially with the inclusion of the combo system, and multiple battle themes, makes several changes to the enemy-on-backdrop battle style that really appeals to the modern gamer in me. It takes a formula that's worked, fixed it to make it work better, then shipped it out to the audience at large. With the HP slots, the combo system, and the many, many goofy statuses and effects of skills, the game really goes the distance with an old style to make it new and improved, in all senses of the expression.

Along with that, the game keeps you on your toes by pitting you against the usual cast of oddballs and what'cha-ma-call-its. From animal-machine hybrids, to animal-animal hybrids, to portly soldier armed to the teeth and laser-weaponry and pig masks.

Music and sound this time around have gone forward leaps and strides. So much so that I'm actually disappointed that this game didn't make it to another system because the game is so very music-centric, and the GBA was only capable of Mono.

Despite the hardware limitations, though, the game boasts a 251-track in-game sound test that encompasses a song for every mood, occasion, and thought. Surprisingly, unlike the conversion from Mother to Earthbound (Mother 2), a lot of original music was created for Mother 3. This soundtrack is extensive and enjoyable, and certainly meets the minimum requirements I have for a game.

[img_inline caption="My mom sent me a card that did the same thing!" align="right"]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/ReggaeTreasure.png[/img_inline]
The graphics are exactly what you'd expect of both a Mother series game and a GBA title. If you have a thing for bright colors and exaggerated expressions, then you'll have a thing for the style of this game. Everything is vibrant and colorful, very bright, and is sort of the high-def neon version of early 32-bit RPGs.

The in-battle animations are basically copy-pasted from Earthbound, lots of psychedelic color waves and patterns. In-game icons and descriptions are simple, small, and iconic, and do their job showing the relevant information while leaving the space uncluttered. I was very impressed with how they adjusted the battle menus to accommodate the smaller screen size and lower resolution.

Otherwise, this game does a little bit to accommodate the old Earthbound fans. Including but not limited to some references to the RPG of old, and some familiar faces showing up [http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/SaturnCanDoAllForYou.png], as well as some old school Earthbound music popping up from time to time.

Despite the intense praise I've given it, this game still takes one giant leap toward perfection, and two tiny steps back. The game is pretty unforgiving. The difficulty curve is pretty spastic, and is very inconsiderate toward the player. Often times, you'll be leveraged into a position where you only have one party member, and you'll find yourself facing enemies that can deal you quite a bit of damage. If the one fight doesn't cripple you, any fight where the enemies outnumber you, even if it's only 2 to 1, will. The game is challenging enough when the parties are matched. If they're not, prepare to burn through a lot of healing items.

[img_inline caption="Hey, did I smell pudding while we were mid-air?" align="left"]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/RideTheFridge.png[/img_inline]
Also, Mother 3 occasionally jumped the fridge when it came to humor. Even literally. It seems so natural in some points, and so very, very forced in others. Especially at certain points, like the one shown in the image. It's like they were trying just a little too hard [http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/ZombiesDisallowed.png] to match humor with the preceding games.

Also, some of the attention to detail, even the little things that were silly but fun about the old games, feels missing. It's like it was close, near perfect, but not exactly spot on. In the end, it takes away from the experience. Or, at least, the experience for an old Earthbound / Mother series fan.

Let me re-iterate this, just in case it didn't sink in. This game is difficult. If you ever find yourself solo, you're pretty screwed. Might as well die and respawn at the save point, because you're not very likely to survive more than three battles. Also, never, ever go into a boss battle unless you're fully prepared for a hard fight. None of the bosses are easy.

Verdict
Buy It. This game is a jewel, and highly recommended for anyone who likes old-school RPGs, music games, or the Earthbound / Mother series. Just be prepared to repeat a lot of battles, load a lot of save files, and pray to anyone or anything that none of your party members die.

Images
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/M3t.png
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/DragQueensaretheepitomeofmagic.png
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/MyTankisDance.png
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/ReggaeTreasure.png
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/SaturnCanDoAllForYou.png
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/RideTheFridge.png
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/ZombiesDisallowed.png

Video
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9ARRYD_GlE

Unused Images and Jokes
Peace and Love! ... Get the hell away! [http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/lovepeaceandsolitude.png]
Ack! Attack of the Stride commercial! [http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/NewClassic/Forum%20Stuff/Escapist/ReconstructedCaribou.png]
 

Dogeman5

New member
Apr 8, 2008
345
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Buy it?
last time I checked (which was a month ago, so it's probably changed) it was sold out,
Anywho good review of a good game,
(Did you use the ________ to review it though?)
The combo system, well the songs in the first lvls were hard (and no I'm not saying I got progressively better, first couple of lvls I could Avg 3 combos, later songs 9-12).
& I played the game _______ so that required a bit of research, but yeah I love the plot to this game!
 

DiamondJim

New member
Sep 27, 2008
312
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Ohhhhh how I love Earthbound. I didn't even know they made Mother 3! This was very enlightening indeed! A splendid review as well, I might add. I'll have to find a mod to pla--... I mean go buy this right away.

Ah, the nostalgia...
 

NewClassic_v1legacy

Bringer of Words
Jul 30, 2008
2,484
0
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Delta4845 said:
Buy it?
last time I checked (which was a month ago, so it's probably changed) it was sold out,
Anywho good review of a good game,
(Did you use the ________ to review it though?)
The combo system, well the songs in the first lvls were hard (and no I'm not saying I got progressively better, first couple of lvls I could Avg 3 combos, later songs 9-12).
& I played the game _______ so that required a bit of research, but yeah I love the plot to this game!
Actually, I found some of the earlier songs to be easier, especially the Mole Cricket early on and most of the enemies in Chapter 2. Including the Monster Carpet in the linked video.

I'm not sure about current, but I got in early, so I managed to secure a copy.

DiamondJim said:
Ohhhhh how I love Earthbound. I didn't even know they made Mother 3! This was very enlightening indeed! A splendid review as well, I might add. I'll have to find a mod to pla--... I mean go buy this right away.

Ah, the nostalgia...
It is such a great game. Please do actually buy it, because supporting Itoi's good work is highly encouraged by this reviewer.

MrBrightside919 said:
Last time I checked, they never released this game in the United States...
It's not. I'm an import junkie, though. I could write a review for a couple of other Japanese games, as well. I might just write one for Electroplankton. Man, I'm such a glutton for music games...

Unrelated
Also, as much as I appreciate the dialog, could you guys comment on the review itself as well? I'm working pretty hard on improving.
 

Dogeman5

New member
Apr 8, 2008
345
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0
NewClassic said:
Delta4845 said:
Buy it?
last time I checked (which was a month ago, so it's probably changed) it was sold out,
Anywho good review of a good game,
(Did you use the ________ to review it though?)
The combo system, well the songs in the first lvls were hard (and no I'm not saying I got progressively better, first couple of lvls I could Avg 3 combos, later songs 9-12).
& I played the game _______ so that required a bit of research, but yeah I love the plot to this game!
Actually, I found some of the earlier songs to be easier, especially the Mole Cricket early on and most of the enemies in Chapter 2. Including the Monster Carpet in the linked video.

I'm not sure about current, but I got in early, so I managed to secure a copy.


Unrelated
Also, as much as I appreciate the dialog, could you guys comment on the review itself as well? I'm working pretty hard on improving.
The enemies I had trouble with there the Stinky and Art Ghosts, and the Osohe Capes.
(My favorite combo music was Miss Marshmallows though.)

I enjoyed the review it was well written, contained no major spoilers and talking about the Strange Difficulty (I felt that I had to Over level for some of the bosses).
Also: how'd you get the captions under the pictures?

Edit: You really should review Electroplankton, it looks very cool!
 

MrBrightside919

New member
Oct 2, 2008
1,625
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It's a great review...I just wish I was able to get the game without having to import...

You'd think Nintendo would throw us a bone here, but they aren't,,,
 

NewClassic_v1legacy

Bringer of Words
Jul 30, 2008
2,484
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On a single day, 1,500+ gamers called Nintendo Support line to request Earthbound on the Virtual Console, with countless more surveys and support e-mails. Nintendo doesn't seem to understand the concept of "Costumers Want! Rawr!"

Ah well. Good work NoA, keep doing what you're doing.
 

meatloaf231

Old Man Glenn
Feb 13, 2008
2,248
0
0
Delicious review of a delicious game. I greatly enjoyed Earthbound, and have been wanting to play Mother 3 for quite some time.

I never even realized it was made for the GBA.
 

PedroSteckecilo

Mexican Fugitive
Feb 7, 2008
6,732
0
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NewClassic, it is cruel of you to do a review of a game that nintendo stubbornly refuses to release here! Now all I can do is lament my lack of ability to play this game.