
Very few were surprised by the reveal of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle when it was showcased during Ubisoft's conference last Sunday. Even if you were only loosely invested in keeping up with gaming news, it was almost a given that you knew about the title many months before its acknowledgement on stage. Some were skeptical, and many were filled with trepidation by the thought of the two franchises being combined together. However, many nerves were expedited the second that Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot welcomed Shigeru Miyamoto to the stage, as the Nintendo icon passionately gave his blessing to the Ubisoft team in front of hundreds of thousands of fans. He even praised the game's creative director, Davide Soliani, who became emotional after Miyamoto had given him the recognition.
Having had a chance to sit down with an opening segment of the game, there's relief that Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle does exude a lot of quality. Ubisoft has created the most 'Nintendo' title it possibly could, and if we hadn't known any better we would've said that without a doubt it was developed by the big N itself. It's quite captivating, the level of polish and detail that has been achieved, and it stands as a testament to the dedication Ubisoft is putting behind this partnership.
Our demo started with a manageable three party members to utilize, with the promise of many more. The titular Mario needs no introduction, while a slumberish Rabbid which is dressed as his younger brother Luigi, and an arrant Rabbid draped in Princess Peach's attire, make their debut in the slice that we played. It's a motley crew from the beginning, but quite spontaneously it drifts from being jarring to being surprisingly dynamic. It's interesting to see how just a couple of otherwise homogeneous characters, like the Rabbids, have been granted so much personality with the added attire and character.
The gameplay, like the concept, also represents a new diversion for Nintendo's franchise. As Mario is known for his platforming, and the Rabbids are known for their zany minigame collections, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is naturally a tactical RPG with shooting mechanics. If you've played Intelligent System's Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. - or more tellingly something like XCOM - the gameplay will be familiar, as the player takes turns between the enemy and themselves, lining up attacks and hiding behind cover in order to outsmart opponents and dispatch enemies in a given arena.
With Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, however, there's a bit more involvement in the combat. Extra layers of the game add not only strategy, but also a tremendous level of fun. Some enjoyable features include the ability to cover greater movement distance by jumping off of other party members, destructible cover which can leave enemies or your party member vulnerable, and the added ability to attack while moving past an enemy. All the additional special moves, too, feel right at home in the Mario franchise and add an arcadey feel to the tactics.
Within the first battle we were already setting Mario up as a party member that could allow other players to jump off of him to get better flanks, Rabbid Luigi as someone who would get as close to the enemy as possible to tank damage and make sure the enemy would be attacked at least once in each round, and Rabbid Princess Peach would level the battleground by chipping away at enemy cover and taking potshots when possible. Everything about the strategy and tactics feels satisfying and easy to utilize, even if you're unfamiliar with the genre.
When we talk about a tactical RPG's gameplay, it's unusual that we commend a title of the genre for its 'feel.' In Mario + Rabbids this 'feel' is commendable due to the overall polish of the experience; menus, animations and controls feel very tight and fluid. The entire game's design also nourishes the idea of fun, and even just walking around during the exploration segments is satisfying; the Mushroom Kingdom environments being chaotically united with the Rabbids aesthetic is captivating. The gameplay mechanics are also deeply engaging even in a short initial session, and its easy to envisage how players could evolve their own styles and approach with further progress and weapon / ability unlocks. While we didn't reach this point in our demo we're also excited to see how boss fights will work, and the Nintendo Treehouse presentation below covers this nicely.
Having finally played the once mythological Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, we can say that it's a title which any owner of the Nintendo Switch needs to check out, or at least give a second look-over before passing judgement. Nintendo games have always been about the player having fun every second of the game, impressing and entertaining gamers whether new or old with the highest levels of quality. Combined with its previous experience in developing big-name action games, Ubisoft seems to have nailed this prerogative of Nintendo games, and fully adopted its own style along with Nintendo principles. With Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle we have a style of Mario game that hasn't been seen before, and our early impressions are very positive.
Comments 66
I was not impressed when I first saw the leaked art. But gameplay won me over!
This looks very promising, I'm getting Day 1
No Daisy. This means I will pass on the game and wait for the next entry in the Mario and Sonic series that Nintendo Life loves to hate.
This is Beauty & the Beast in video games, after the Disney 2017 version.
Mario stuffs as Beauty while Rabbids (I know most of you hate them) as the Beast.
Well, at first maybe still hard to learn to love a "Beast", but Rabbids blended with Mario stuffs seems okay for me now.
I will try to give a shot.
This could well be a lot of people's favourite 3rd party release on the switch this year. The game looks and sounds fantastic and I am glad that it is only a ten week wait.
Remembering back on the leaked assets it was June for reveal, July for selling it to the media and gamers, August for release. It looks like they don't have to do a lot of selling because the reveal was awesome. Hopefully they do continue to show us the depth of the game but try and keep somethings back.
Shame the collector's edition in my opinion doesn't present good value for money.
Nintendo was never going to let someone else mess up Mario. The idea has always sounded strange, but even the concept art leaked before e3 was intriguing and now that we've seen gameplay... I think Ubi and Nintendo have sold a lot of copies.
@memoryman3
Well, at least there is a Princess Peach. Who knows if Daisy will be added later ?
@memoryman3 You mean that orange alt-skin of Peach?
I'm not so good at tactical games. Might have to watch one of my friends play this before I buy my own copy. Looks really cool though!
@ShadowForks Uh... where did you get the idea that Luigi is Mario's older brother?
I have never been so angrily happy to get a game I don't want but need and will love and hate during playing it.
I feel very conflicted by how much I want this game. How dare Nintendo and Ubisoft make me want a Rabbids game.
I just can't get passed the Rabbids...
They're so ugly, loud, and obnoxious, like Minions...
Had they cut out the Rabbids, this would be much more appealing...
This game looks legit. Also, it's actually kinda made me like the Rabbids.
PS. I think a new Advance Wars game done in this visual style and general viewpoint during battles would be amazing.
Anyone would think the Rabbids haven't been in a good game before.
Rabbids Go Home was great fun. A massively enjoyable Katamary 'clone' that was often better than its inspiration.
Never bought a Rabbids game in me puff but there's a first time for everything.
I love X Com but still not quite convinced on this one yet, will keep an eye on it.
While this looks beautiful, I hope it's a long game. The rumours before the announcement this week said it only lasts about 14 hours. That's quite short. And the rumours were right about everything else.
I honestly think the quality of the art & design, 3D modelling throughout the world, and animation in this game is better than Super Mario Odyssey. In fact, I actually now wish that Super Mario Odyssey looked this good.
Not really interested in tactical RPGs, so I'll pass.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE The Rabbid Kong battle that they showed is supposed to take around 30 mins alone, and given all the stuff in the hub area that we saw here, I expect there's probably quite a lot to discover in this game. But, regardless, 14 hours isn't exactly short if that's how long it takes you to just go through the game straight; it could take way longer if you really want to take your time. I mean, you can speedrun Advance Wars in a couple of hours if you really want to*, and even beat it in as little as 13 mins from a quick check online (that's probably using glitches or something), but that game absolutely isn't short on play time for the average gamer--not even close.
*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LrelHmjzPI
@impurekind Well according to this it takes 20 hours to complete.
Still, for an RPG that's short.
Was looking forward to this before the announcement.
After the announcement it was a day one purchase for me. Mario X-COM is too good to pass on.
When I saw UbiStore was doing 20% for 100 UbiPoints making the game £35.99 I preordered straight away. Bring on the end of August
Also the gameplay looks perfect for dipping in and out of for short bursts, which will suit my gaming habbits at the moment perfectly.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE I for one don't think 14hrs is short. Just adding my two cents not trying to start anything
Think the game looks great. When the rumor mill started I wanted give it a chance and after seeing it, I think it looks great. It's reboot xcom n Mario having a PG rated baby
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Again, see my post above regarding my thoughts on the play time (but just replace the bit about 14 hours for 20 hours).
And, it's not really an RPG; it's basically a tactical, turn-based strategy game with a bit of wandering around in between battles, at least from what I can see. It's closer to the likes of X-Com and Advance Wars than your typical RPG. It's even called a "crazy combat adventure" in that image you posted. And Ubisoft itself is calling it a tactical adventure game.
I think 20 hours for a story mode is more than enough. In fact, with any game that's longer than around that 20 hours time I personally tend to just get bored as it usually feels like they've artificially padded it out with the same stuff over and over and over. For example, I wish GTA IV was "only" 20 hours long rather than the 60 or so it took me to slog my way through it. By the end . . . the end couldn't come soon enough.
Once you get past the 10-20 hour mark, simply upping the number of hours for a single play through does not a better game make imo.
I love turn-based strategy and RPGs. That's why I'm so pumped for Battle Chasers. That being said, Kingdom Battle looks like it's shaping up to be a surprise hit. Might have to pick this up to scratch the itch earlier.
Is a turn based rpg basically like advance wars? I love that title but find golden sun etc frustrating to play.
This looks fun though.
im sold my fav type game & just looks fun
Never thought I'd say this, but this will definitely be a day one purchase.
There sure is a lot of hate for the Rabbids on here. I am partial to Rabbids because I played the heck out of Rayman Raving Rabbids back in the early Wii days and had a blast doing it. I do agree that are very similar to Minions though. I don't yet have a Switch and this is the first game that has made me want to buy one sooner rather than later.
This game definately needs a demo to push people on the fence still.
@Neon_Blues I hear ya. I've always said that rabbids were the original minions. And I HATE the minions.....
Lol at all of you who lost their minds when that graphic was leaked (same goes for you NL). Further proof that you can't judge a book by it's cover; nor can you judge a game by seeing nothing more than a jpg.
This is fun if you play multiplayer. I'm getting it just for that.
I'm excited for this! looks fun and engaging. . !
@impurekind
"PS. I think a new Advance Wars game done in this visual style and general viewpoint during battles would be amazing."
Somebody get the Homer Simpson drooling gif, quick!
@KIRO Well both Advance Wars and Golden Sun are technically turn-based. Most RPGs tend to be turn-based in some respect, although titles such as Xenoblade Chronicles X, Tales of Symphonia, and FFXV are normally classed as 'action RPGs' (I think), as the combat is in real time.
The keyword here is 'tactical', which usually implies that battles are duked out over a wider 'tabletop' like map, as is the case here. Whereas standard RPGs emphasise the individual battles of a single character or party, tactical games better represent warfare at a larger scale, making use of the geography/topography a critical element.
To make things more confusing, whether a game is tactical, turn-based, or even an RPG at all can be completely independent. Advance Wars generally isn't classed as an RPG, probably due to the lack of levelling up/EXP point mechanics, but it's definitely tactical and turn based. Fire Emblem is similar, but the levelling mechanics (and possibly also the aesthetic) push it firmly into Tactical Turn-Based RPG territory.
Then you've got RTS and RTT games (Real Time Strategy/Tactics) which aren't RPGs or turn based, but include a lot of tabletop elements and are very popular of PC (think Dota and similar games).
Anyway, to answer your question, this game seems much more like Advance Wars than Golden Sun, more like Fire Emblem than Advance Wars (due to levelling mechanics), and more like X-Com than any of them (although I don't think that has a levelling mechanic so it's still not a perfect match).
Most importantly though, it looks good.
This was the one I was interested in the least and suddenly became a day one buy.
Looking forward to it
@memoryman3 That's a weird line to draw in the sand, but more power to you I guess?
@Neon_Blues: Agreed. I still don't understand the Minions craze. While I've never played a Rabbids game, I've seen the show a couple of times, and just...ugh.
Looks good.
It really does look like Mario Xcom though...
OMG... boring!
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Actually that isn't so bad. I think if it plays awful and is only 20 hours it would be terrible. But if it was 20 hours of pure joy I would happily give up 4 hours more time to have 20 hours of amazing fun.
Guess we will have to wait until the reviews to find out
@SLIGEACH_EIRE It does seem short, but in comparison, the first time I beat FF6 it took me around 25 hours. Games like this always have stuff (legendary gear, secrets, unlocks) that will push the time limit well beyond what is suggested.
@memoryman3 I swear your constant moaning about Nintendo not adding Daisy to things is getting incredibly tiring. We get it, you love Daisy with a (rather unhealthy) passion and want to see her more. You're not alone there, I would like to see her get a proper role again too. Difference is that the rest of us don't whine about it everywhere. Get over it. Move on. Enjoy games for what they are, even if Daisy's not in them. Geez.
I got burned out on Rabbids during the wii years...but I preordered this day one. I want a figure of the roomba.
While I'm still shocked it turned out to be true, lol, I will admit that it seems engrossing and fun, it just doesn't grab me, so I'll likely give it a pass.
Didn't look at this at first due to being revealed initially as 'RPG' but now it much more like x-com tactical strategy this will be a Day 1 purchase - and the animations are absolutely hilarious!
I think it looks great and can't wait to play it
@Maxz thanks so much for that response !
Now if only the text didn't look like poop
I know I'm probably in the minority if not completely alone, but I think it would be fun to see a Rabbid as a playable character in the next Smash.
Everyone hates Rabbids but isn't the idea behind a Rabbid or a minion. That they are just deplorable (sorry Hillary) cheeky little bastards? So killing them should be good fun right?
I had my worries but after seeing the care put in by Ubi, the fact that the art style and animation looks as good or better than something N did and then seeing the play.....I am sold. Love it, already pre ordered.
And hey everyone is saying it borrows a lot from X-Com but the toss/throw mechanic is borrowed from Disgaea
This isn't the kind of genre I normally enjoy but this looks really well executed. I may have to give it a try.
@Yosher That's very very easy for you to say, because Yoshi's playable in this game.
With very rare exceptions (3D World and NSMB), if a Mario game does not have Daisy in it, not even a reference, then I won't buy it. It's not that hard to do because there are lots of Mario games with Daisy in them. Mario Odyssey will even support her amiibo so I will be getting that.
I get excited for Mario and Sonic games because of the diverse range of sports and character roster. This game has a very limited character roster.
I hope there is permanent death like in XCOM. If someone dies, even Mario, they die forever, than you have to customize a new character to replace him, like a Rabbid or a Toad. You can however, customize your new character to look like Mario, and name him Mario, and pretend he's the original Mario, even though he isn't, and is a Rabbid/Toad.
Personally I love the Rabbids as characters. My wife and I enjoyed the original Rabbids games on Wii (even though I typically don' like party games).
I didn't even know what "Rabbids" were before this game... I was just curious before, but after watching the trailer and some gameplay I'm totally hyped! I mean I love Mario and X-COM is one of my favorite franchises ever, so it's a win-win!
The only thing that bothers me is having to wait until sometime in 2018 to play the game since Nintendo isn't publishing the game in August. That's incredibly disappointing.
Thank you Ubisoft. You have always had Nintendo's back and you have always tried to create engaging titles early during console life cycles. I have this game pre-ordered and I am looking forward to giving it a go. Pre-ordered Assassins Creed Origins for my Xbox 1S, too.
@memoryman3 Yoshi isn't in Super Mario Odyssey, from the looks of it. You don't hear me moaning about that. He also wasn't in Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario 3D Land, Super Mario 3D World, Super Paper Mario, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, and many more Mario games. I enjoyed those games for what they were. Sure I would have liked Yoshi in them but I didn't let a petty reason like Yoshi not being present ruin my enjoyment of the game. Please, just stop your constant yammering about Daisy not being in something. Every single comment I see from you, it's Daisy this, Daisy that, blablabla. Just... stop.
@Yosher I can't tell if @memoryman3 is trolling you or if you're trolling yourself.
Either way he's right; Daisy should be in more games. Like Super Princess Daisy, where she reclaims Sarasaland. Or Luigi's Mansion 3, where Luigi tells Mario to save himself and goes after the love of his life despite being so shy. There's so much more they can do with you than having her constantly introduce herself.
I'd be more interested without the Rabbids
@PanurgeJr I agree that she should be in more games, but to constantly moan and whine about her not appearing in every article even remotely related to Mario? That's incredibly annoying.
@Maxz XCOM has levelling up.
@Therad Thanks, I'll remember that. In which case, they're very alike indeed. Am I right in thinking X-Com is usually not regarded as an RPG, though, despite levelling mechanics?
@Maxz yeah, the RPG elements are just a side thing. It is the tactical and strategic elements that are the main focus. The combat is a lot about gaining advantage over the battlefield, such as taking cover, removing cover, flanking or height advantage. And it seems all of those elements are present in M+R.
I'm convinced with this. I really dislike the Rabbids, but I can't deny how much quality this exudes - Ubisoft have outdone themselves.
I'll give this one a try when it releases, I do hope they release a demo, though! Let's hope this does well, so Ubi continues developing more titles for Switch.
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