By far the worst game in the series. Extremely slow-paced, absurd amount of tutorials, doesn't innovate in anything AT ALL, abusive use of motion controls, annoying characters, meh story... The only thing this game got right is the soundtrack, but that's literally it, and it's not enough to save it. Everything else sucks. Don't play this game unless you want to fall asleep like Luigi in the box art.
while the narrative isn't necessarily terrible and the combat system holds its own merits, the game's predominant reliance on platform-based puzzles emerges as its most significant weakness. The storyline, although not lacking entirely, may not stand out as a highlight, and the combat system manages to maintain engagement. However, the overemphasis on platform challenges tends to overshadow the overall experience, potentially alienating players who were expecting a more balanced blend of elements. The game's potential excellence is somewhat diluted by this disproportionate focus, impacting the overall cohesiveness and satisfaction of the gaming journey.
I'm biased but this game is incredibly creative and the gameplay continues to be satisfying to this day. It is genuinely underrated and underappreciated, especially serving as an introductory RPG. My nostalgia and the fact it got me into RPGs (and turn based gameplay) as a whole is what makes me look past it's flaws (which are almost entirely pacing related) and consider it a masterpiece.
The gameplay and writing are fun, and it's nice to see Luigi take more of a central role in the game. That said the game having tutorials even close to the end turned me off from wanting to try the hard mode for a second playthrough. Nintendo really needed to give the option to turn off tutorials, then again all games need that as an option.