We’re coming up on a month since the release of the latest installment of the Mario & Luigi games, Brothership. The developers of Brothership did an interview for Nintendo’s series Ask The Developer, and in Part 3 of the interview, the new mechanic Luigi Logic was talked about as well as the core ideas that make the game unique from other installments.
Connecting islands
It seems like game developer Acquire was the one who proposed the idea about islands and connecting them together as you progress, while finding new allies along the way. The developers loved the idea but it took time to figure out how to incorporate it into the franchise. They noted that it took longer than expected to figure out how the story and gameplay would tie in to the mechanic.
Brothership gameplay
Another interesting tidbit from the interview mentioned how new Mario & Luigi games were created with gameplay first, and the story was only added after — in a way that would work with and around the gameplay. For Brothership, it seemed that Acquire had both gameplay and plot created concurrently, which worried developers as they note that both elements had to mesh, or the game wouldn’t work. The story writing team seemingly struggled at the beginning until the theme of connection was brought in, with each new sea the brothers travel to having a specific theme such as family and friends. You’d be connecting not only the islands but the inhabitants as well. From there, the ideas flowed and elements were quickly thought of, creating the electricity theme we have in the final game.
Luigi Logic
The concept of “Luigi Logic” was also in tune with the connection theme. In previous titles, Mario and Luigi were usually controlled as one unit and were rarely separated. In Brothership, Luigi is able to wander on his own and will automatically do actions such as jumping and catching up to Mario. Luigi Logic allows Luigi to have a bigger role in the game, with some areas only accessible with his abilities. This ensures that the brothers are still connected and are helping one another even if they are apart, further showing the bond they’ve cemented. There are certain abilities that still require both brothers to pull off, making it balanced.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is the first new installment in the franchise since Paper Jam for the 3DS back in 2015. Brothership is the first and likely only Mario & Luigi title to be released on the Nintendo Switch, as the successor is just around the corner! Have you played Brothership yet? How does it hold up to the other titles in the series? Let us know on Twitter!
Related to Switch 2
Rumor: Alleged footage of the Switch 2’s Joy-Con has been shared online
Rumor: Nintendo Switch 2 cases and screen protector leaked online
Leave a Comment
Written by Roberto Diaz
Embark on a gaming odyssey with a passionate player deeply immersed in pop culture. Roberto not only conquers virtual realms but also dominates the pop music scene, turning life into a harmonious adventure filled with gaming triumphs and cultural insights.
