This article delves into the creation process of the Mario & Luigi: Brothership game. Through interviews with the developers, we uncover the details and challenges behind bringing this RPG to life.

Uncover the "Mario & Luigi-like" Magic in Brothership

Part 1: The Bond between Mario and Luigi

In this game, the bond between Mario and Luigi takes center stage. Ohashi-san, known for his compelling storylines, crafted a lot of dramatic scenes that emphasized their brotherly connection. When the game transitioned to 3D, they could create a more cinematic look and added more expressiveness through acting and camera. For example, in a particular cutscene where the brothers are blasted out of a cannon onto an island, their landing initially clumsy but gradually becoming more graceful shows the attention to detail. The exclamation mark in Luigi Logic is in the shape of an “L,” adding a playful touch. These details make the game truly “Mario & Luigi-like.”

Part 2: Directing the Dramatic Skirmishes

The scene where Mario’s antagonists battle each other in the skies is dynamic and memorable. Otani was shocked by the storyboard as it was a small skirmish that turned into a spectacular display. Ohashi wanted to make a strong impression and kept “drama” in mind throughout. The sound also needed to be good, and with the help of Sakamoto-san from Noisycroak, they struggled to create music that matched the “Mario & Luigi-like” feel. They picked out instruments like tropical steelpans, upbeat brass bands, and accordions and reduced the number to hone in on that essence. The music was added after the scene was created, and each cutscene had its own unique piece, creating a synergy as the story unfolded.

Part 3: Balancing Gameplay and Story

In the final stages of development, Fukushima worked with the battle system team. In previous games, battles used a “badges” system, but they wanted something players could use more freely. The Battle Plug system was created, where players equip Battle Plugs instead. There are over 40 Battle Plugs with various combinations, but it was difficult to balance. Each plug has its own effect, and combining them creates synergies. For example, the Iron Ball plug can be combined with a Kaboom Attack to deal more damage. They battled around the clock to test different combinations and find favorites.

Part 4: Adapting to Different Levels

Because Shipshape Island is adrift, players visit islands at different times, and their levels and available plugs vary. Otani and Fukushima had different experiences with the same boss due to their exploration levels. The enemies’ levels don’t scale, so adjustments were made to ensure the game was challenging for all players. There’s also a feature to lower the difficulty if players get stuck.

Part 5: The Final Journey and Ending

The developers poured a lot of effort into the ending, and they fine-tuned the difficulty to ensure players reach it. Furuta hopes the story of Shipshape Island becomes a beloved journey for fans and newcomers. Ohashi believes the game stays true to the series and will meet expectations. Fukushima highlights the new elements like collaborating with Acquire and breaking conventions. Otani emphasizes the gameplay of sailing and exploring, with branching storylines and side quests. He recommends playing at one’s own pace and enjoying the story with family.