Lore Sjöberg (whose comedy website The Brunching Shuttlecocks remains the most consistently and uproariously funny site on the Web) is fast becoming my favorite games-reviewer. Today in Wired News, he reviews Paper Mario:
If Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door isn’t the most adorable game available for the Nintendo GameCube, it’s at least the most adorable game involving blood sport and demonology. If you have a low tolerance for cuteness, you’re going to need a Hazmat suit and a complete collection of Cure albums to get you through it…
The mix dusts off the conventions of both RPGs and platformers and makes them feel shiny and fresh. The battles, for example, are turn-based, but pressing a button at the right time can allow your team to do extra damage. Pressing it again with perfect timing adds a flourish to your attacks, impressing the audience and giving you more power for special moves. These touches keep even cakewalk battles from being a dull exercise in menu selection.