This game is weird. On one hand it improves a lot on the formula of SM64, as having the shines be more restrictive on each episode makes getting each one easier for me, as I don't have to worry about missing out on progress on one if I decide to go for another; an issue that really hindered my enjoyment of SM64 when I played it after really enjoying Odyssey.
On the other hand however, HOLY SHIT SOME OF THESE LEVELS ARE ASS. This game might have the worst levels I've ever seen in a 3D platformer, and I'd actually go as far as to say this is one of the more difficult games I've actually rolled credits on, as the difficulty on some of the stages is surprisingly hard. The worst offenders of this difficulty spike compared to the kinda hard but fair levels for the majority of the game are the pure platforming levels, where shadow mario will laugh at you, take Fludd, and make you perform insanely difficult platforming levels that are challenging at best and just unfair at worst.
While I still enjoyed this game a bit more than 64, the jump in quality from this to galaxy is fucking insane, and is definitely my personal favorite of the 3D all-stars collection. I'd still recommend playing 64 and sunshine as they are incredibly important video games I think everyone should experience, but I don't think I'll be coming back to play them anytime soon.
On the other hand however, HOLY SHIT SOME OF THESE LEVELS ARE ASS. This game might have the worst levels I've ever seen in a 3D platformer, and I'd actually go as far as to say this is one of the more difficult games I've actually rolled credits on, as the difficulty on some of the stages is surprisingly hard. The worst offenders of this difficulty spike compared to the kinda hard but fair levels for the majority of the game are the pure platforming levels, where shadow mario will laugh at you, take Fludd, and make you perform insanely difficult platforming levels that are challenging at best and just unfair at worst.
While I still enjoyed this game a bit more than 64, the jump in quality from this to galaxy is fucking insane, and is definitely my personal favorite of the 3D all-stars collection. I'd still recommend playing 64 and sunshine as they are incredibly important video games I think everyone should experience, but I don't think I'll be coming back to play them anytime soon.