god, i love this game. it has its issues, like others, but for some its issues might make themselves known more than usual.

it takes everything the previous game did and does it again, but with nothing holding it back. you love really dramatic, tense stories with emotional depth? this has the most compelling story in a paper mario game. you want silly funnies? this game's got that too! although, a bit less, since the focus is more on the story this time around.
the gameplay isn't the same as the previous iteration, which is unfortunate but understandable when you realize this was being developed on the gamecube, right after TTYD was completed. i can forgive it for adapting into a platformer with rpg-ish mechanics. it's still engaging and i still find it fun to navigate most of the time!
unfortunately though, there are some very big lows for this game. there are some parts of the game intended to be fun or silly, but just comes off as annoying instead. i was able to write them off easily, but it stuck with some and i can understand why. those moments are. something.
otherwise though, god. this game is tragic. i love it. i hold it close to my heart