Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Paper Mario: The Legend of the Äonentor (JapaneseペーパーマリオRPG, Pepa Mario RPG) is a 2004 video game published by genre role-playing game developed by Intelligent Systems for the GameCube. The Legend of the Äonentor is the third Mario RPG and the second appearance of Mario in form of Paper Mario.

The game takes many elements from the previous Paper Mario, among other things, a turn-based battle system and a game world, which deals with the paper. The central task in the game is the attainment of seven star gems and rescuing Princess Peach.

Game mechanics

The game has unique elements due to its appearance. The artwork is a mix of a 3D environment and 2D characters who look as if they are made of paper. In various places in the game Mario is cursed and so learns new movements that are all about the paper. For example, Mario can turn on certain platforms in a ship or on a plane. He also learns to curl. The environment is dotted with paper - effects, so you can, for example, objects that obscure treasures, like a sheet of paper being blown away; or a wall folds into a staircase.

Mario touches an enemy, a battle ensues. He relies his jump or hammer one, he can land a first attack outside of normal combat rounds. The same is true for Mario's enemies. In the actual rounds are first Mario and his partner on the series, after his opponents. During combat, Mario can perform various offensive or defensive actions, or use an item. The player can increase his actions by specific button presses. If the opponent's turn, so Mario can weaken or even counter attacks. Mario and his partners have a certain number of power points (KP ). Sinking the power points of the partner during the course of a struggle to zero, so the partners in this and the following battles can not be used until it is healed. Sinking the Communist Party of Mario to zero, this means the end of the game. Flower points (BP ) that are needed for stronger attacks, are shared by Mario and his partners. For successfully endured struggles receives Mario star points, depending on the level and opponents differ much. Mario collects 100 star points, he rises to a level. The fights take place in public. If Mario successfully, the public supports him by star power (which Mario attacks need for star ), throwing items that will help Mario or damage as well. Not please the audience of the fight, it leaves Mario alone.

Mario can use in and out of combat items. The range of items varies from healing, status changing items to items that damage the opponent. In the game it is also possible to cook items and thereby alter or combine two items on the stove. Mario can also purchase order or receive from defeated opponents, which, if applied, Mario impart a new skill. Throughout the game, Mario is always accompanied by an active person. All persons belonging to Mario's team, possess unique skills that are required for solving puzzles.

Action and frame

Paper Mario: The Legend of the Äonentor is based on a paper version of the Mushroom Kingdom, even if the majority of places are new. Most places are associated with a theme, so for example, is Dire village an eerie and dark village. The characters are known in some cases, such as the Koopas, others appear for the first time. The story is divided into eight chapters plus prologue.

Characters

The Legend of the Äonentor includes many characters, most of which are not playable (so-called non-player characters ). For the progress in the game interaction is at times necessary with them. Many of the characters are integrated into side quests. As in previous Mario is supported by accompanying characters, of which one can be active at a time. In total there are 6 such persons accompanying the join Marios team during the normal course of a game and a person who can be unlocked in a secondary task. Each character has unique abilities that can be used outside of combat. Thus, e.g. the archeology student Gumbrina Mario give information on the current whereabouts. After each chapter is followed by a short sequence in which the player Princess Peach and Bowser can then control. Princess Peach is trapped on the moon and is examined by computer TECH, falls in love with her. Bowser is trying to get in front of Mario to the Star Jewels, but is always one step behind the bargain.

Action

The game begins with a legend about a city on the coast, which was destroyed by a disaster. On the ruins of this city, the port city of blanks was later built. From the city of the Äonentor has remained behind a huge treasure is to be located. Princess Peach found on the market place of blanks a treasure map, she sent Mario, with a request to follow her to blanks. When Mario arrives in blanks, the princess is gone. Mario meets Gumbrina, which is the treasure of blanks on the track as well and together they go to Professor Gumbarth. This explained to them that the Äonentor can only be opened with the seven legendary star jewels and that the card Mario is a magic card that can show them the way to the star jewels. Assuming that Peach is alone in search of the treasure, Mario wants to find the Star Jewels and thus Princess Peach.

In reality, Princess Peach has been kidnapped by the Crucionen. Although she is captured, it can help Mario with e-mail messages and inform him. Behind the Äonentor a demon is being held captive in reality, which is responsible for the destruction of the original city. The Crucionen imprison Peach, so that the demon gets her body in exchange for his power. This happens, but by using the Seven Star Jewels Mario can rescue the princess. Mario and Princess Peach sail back to Mario's house.

Development

Nintendo gave in 2003 at the Game Developers Conference for the first time known to be a Paper Mario successor was being developed. The game was still provisionally named Paper Mario 2 ( Japan Mario Story 2 ). A first play was possible at E3 2004, where three different locations were shown.

Reviews

89 %

The game won the 2005 Interactive Achievement Awards for best console RPG.

In the first week after the launch in Japan about 159'000 units were sold from the game. In the U.S. at least 250,000 units were sold.