The writing is what constantly impressed me, and we'll never get the same writer on board since he has moved up quite a bit in the company. Actually sad.
I said it on twitter but I'll say it again here: Since childhood I always knew TTYD was one of the better Paper Marios, if not one of the best Nintendo stories, but Jake's given me the ability to explain why I feel that way beyond "memorable, unique characters and a strong story".
Paper Mario TTYD really is great. I think they had a lot of practice from making the first game and had an idea of what they wanted to accomplish and went for it. You have all the same systems but upgraded and expanded on and even repeat characters that do the same things like the Mer- family of characters. Tons of great things you'd expect from a sequel. But then there are quite a few chapters that almost feel derivative of the original game. Like having a chapter take place on a train with a mystery, getting a goomba then koopa partner they have nearly the same abilities they had before in the same order, an early mini dungeon with a fuzzy boss, etc. It's like they wanted to make a director's cut of the original game, but then it grew into it's own whole game with new story and everything. I think this re-use allowed them to focus on elevating the gameplay, story, and other writing elements to a new level.
i clicked so fast lol i actually saved a clip from near the end of the last stream, i thought the way you talked about how the characters are movements not moments was very eloquently put and i agree 100%. Keep speaking truth
I knew it prior to the reveal, although I don't entirely remember why I did. However the missing p gave it away that you couldn't break the sequence (also I was spelling it wrong anyway)
It was a pleasure to review this game with an new eye and with someone who trully wanted to understand why people are so in love about this game. I'm french person , so during your livestream it was sometimes difficult to react to everything with my brain trying to translate my words XD , but even with that i was still full into your reactions and thoughts about this game. Of all the playthroughs that i've watched so far , you are my personal favorite and will always be ^^ !
This is a great analysis, and 100% agree about the variety and multifaceted appeal of the different chapters being something that makes TTYD so unique. The NPCs of Paper Mario TTYD are top tier for many of the reasons you are saying, but I would have to insist that many of them having unique designs and actual names is also essential to their memorability. It's also just so cool that Goombella will have names and attributes for so many of the characters if you choose to tattle in the overworld. Anyone who didnt use her to obessively tattle every screen and character missed out! I admit my memory is pretty terrible, but even so - I find it telling that I struggle to remember any "new" characters from the previous three Paper Mario games besides the three helpers and King Olly, all of which have unique designs, and then one certain Bob-omb that manages to be an exception because his story arc is so strong it overcomes his generic design. Meanwhile, I dont think I will be forgetting most of the NPCs and especially the partners in TTYD any time soon. The original TTYD had a unique aesthetic for credits sequence, but I think it cannot be argued that the cast call credits sequence in the remake isnt something truly special. And it really is because all of those characters are near and dear to our hearts by the end, and we love to see them give their final bow. Its a toss up between that and the tear-jerking electric light parade ending of SMRPG for me (an ending so good, Paper Mario 64 reprises the theme).
12:13 This also happens in Paper Mario on the Nintendo 64. Also, your explanation actually makes sense as to why TTYD has the unique designs, and why the later games don't.
I really appreciate your point that the unique designs are not the be-all end-all of what makes the NPCs interesting and that it is more about how they are utilized within the narrative. Origami King has a character named Bobby who is literally just the generic Bob-Omb sprite, but he's given this same kind of setup-payoff attention you discuss in the video and he's a really memorable character as a result. Great video and I really enjoyed your streams!
I really enjoyed your playthrough of TTYD (my favorite game ever), which led me to your channel. It was really fun to see you hypothesizing and guessing what would come next and how the story would play out. I highly recommend you check out Bug Fables, which is a lot like the first 2 paper marios.
If you want another series with amazing NPCs, there’s the Trails series. Almost every NPC has a name and some ongoing backstory and life that they’re living through as you progress the game. Dialogue updates after every notable story event. Sometimes it’ll even payoff in a sidequest later, or you’ll recognize characters in new locations as they travel around. They basically feel like real people with their own lives just going on in the background.
As someone who loves this game to death and has replayed it time and time again, even putting myself through stupidly difficult challenges curated by the community (Pre-Hooktail Pit, Level 1 Runs), this game is beyond great. I think TTYD is flawed in the best kind of way. That's to say that every time I play the game, I'm left wanting more of the game itself. Its not so much a "I wish this game was better," or "I wish this game wasn't so short," sort of thing, its more of a "I wish i could do more with this game" kind of feeling, if that makes sense. Its why I've done so many challenges based around this game and why I've actively searched and fantasized about other games in this sort of style, it's such a great formula that makes me honestly wonder what led them to change it up. (No hate towards those entries in the series, though; Super Paper Mario is a bit shallow as a game but has a fantastic story, and from what I've heard, Color Splash and Origami King are both quite good in their own ways, just different. (We don't talk about Sticker Star.) ) Badge Points definitely add to that feeling, considering just how well executed they are, being a simple but intuitive system. They can have complexity to them, sure, but never to a point where it becomes too hard to figure out what the badge even does. The most complex they get are with the conditional badges, like the Power Rush and Last Stand badges, which are honestly some of my favorite with how fun they are to work into strategies while being flexible enough to play around with. I think it's probably one of the best implementations of an equipment-like system in an RPG without really being just basic equipment. You can make it as deep as you want it to be, and that's just by design. That's not to say TTYD doesn't have issues of it's own though; I think compared to Paper Mario 64, this game feels far more disconnected from the rest of the world that you explore, and is definitely far more linear than it's predecessor. I'd argue that the X-Nauts can sometimes feel a bit shallow for villains, as charming as they are, and Bowser's B-plot in the grand scheme of the story definitely feels very out of place in the whole game, like it was just shoehorned in. Even still, the positives out weigh the negatives so heavily that things like these are forgivable, and I'd argue they don't make too great of an impact on the overall experience. TTYD is it's own game, as are the rest of the games in the Paper Mario series. Even so, as much as I hate hearing people argue about the series and the direction it went, it's definitely hard to see why they did end up changing it because of just how solid the first two games hold up (and still do) today. And as an extra note of importance, the remake canonized and even rewrote Vivian's character to be a lot more respectful as a queer identity without the censorship that the original English version was translated with, which is always nice to see and gives me a lot of hope for the future of LGBTQ+ representation in media, especially those by big name video game publishers like Nintendo! :3
Tbh, I don’t think TTYD holds up today. The battle mechanics are amazing but other aspects of the game are clearly lacking. The level design of the overworld is stale (it’s just a series of linear hallways). It’s a shame too bc the locations are stunning and I wish there was more variety in set pieces so I could really feel like I was immersed in the world. The story, while it’s enjoyable, it lacks a lot of depth ppl claim it has. I also personally don’t like the chapter style bc the story doesn’t feel as cohesive as it should. This is just my opinion, plz don’t feel like this is a personal attack on your experience with TTYD. I really wish I enjoyed the game as much as others but it really didn’t leave much of an impression on me.
Yet another ttyd review that only focuses on the good parts and ignores the glaring flaws 😔 sad to see another ttyd glazer who refuses to look at this game as anything but perfect
Hmm, I wouldn't call this video a review and I definitely don't think the game is perfect. I just wanted to focus on why I think the game found success with so many people. Even if you don't think the game is good I think it's worth discussing what elements have contributed to how the game has been able to build sentimentality over so many years.
@@KoCat2867damn dude you went from sayin bro was “glazing” the game, (ie suggesting fellatio of the game) which is a hell of an accusation of bias toward the reviewer, to crumbling like a crouton when he actually replied to you and you were confronted on it. Here’s a thought, maybe if nearly every reviewer you continue to see are largely giving praise to the game, enough so that it bothers you, perhaps it actually is a game worthy of the praise and perhaps its good aspects far outweigh any minor shortcomings, enough so that it’s almost not even worth mentioning those shortcomings. Then again, maybe youre right and in fact the consensus reached by everyone else that the sky is blue is in fact actually wrong and your thinking that it’s red is the real truth. So what’s more likely? That the sky is red and you’re just drinkin too much hater-ade. Or that the sky is blue and this is just actually an amazing 20 year old game worthy of its praise 🤔
@@quintavious2482 I didn't "crumble like a crouton", I realized that the video wasn't what I thought it was. Look I don't wanna start a whole argument so just leave me alone
It’s great to have been on the journey. I very much enjoyed the post-game analysis. I think you’ve very eloquently articulated how this game leaves its mark. Looking forward to more 🤟
The writing is what constantly impressed me, and we'll never get the same writer on board since he has moved up quite a bit in the company. Actually sad.
Hell yeah, here's the vid we've been waiting for, excited for the cleanup stream too :)
I said it on twitter but I'll say it again here:
Since childhood I always knew TTYD was one of the better Paper Marios, if not one of the best Nintendo stories, but Jake's given me the ability to explain why I feel that way beyond "memorable, unique characters and a strong story".
I'm so happy I manage to be here the entire ride. Good times, fun moments, abs incredible reaction to a masterpiece game.
Paper Mario TTYD really is great. I think they had a lot of practice from making the first game and had an idea of what they wanted to accomplish and went for it. You have all the same systems but upgraded and expanded on and even repeat characters that do the same things like the Mer- family of characters. Tons of great things you'd expect from a sequel. But then there are quite a few chapters that almost feel derivative of the original game. Like having a chapter take place on a train with a mystery, getting a goomba then koopa partner they have nearly the same abilities they had before in the same order, an early mini dungeon with a fuzzy boss, etc. It's like they wanted to make a director's cut of the original game, but then it grew into it's own whole game with new story and everything. I think this re-use allowed them to focus on elevating the gameplay, story, and other writing elements to a new level.
i clicked so fast lol
i actually saved a clip from near the end of the last stream, i thought the way you talked about how the characters are movements not moments was very eloquently put and i agree 100%. Keep speaking truth
This was such a fun playthrough!
It was such a journey watching you play
WOW! This was incredibly enjoyable and well-articulated. You are very talented sir.
Very kind - thanks for watching!
For me I knew I wouldn't get Dooplis's name right away because I saw the letter missing from the menu. So, I knew I wouldn't get it no matter what.
I knew it prior to the reveal, although I don't entirely remember why I did. However the missing p gave it away that you couldn't break the sequence (also I was spelling it wrong anyway)
Outstanding content Jake Steinberg. I smashed that thumbs up icon on your content. Maintain up the awesome work. Eager see more posts from you.
It was a pleasure to review this game with an new eye and with someone who trully wanted to understand why people are so in love about this game. I'm french person , so during your livestream it was sometimes difficult to react to everything with my brain trying to translate my words XD , but even with that i was still full into your reactions and thoughts about this game. Of all the playthroughs that i've watched so far , you are my personal favorite and will always be ^^ !
For me who never manages to get into a game let alone finish one. Paper Mario TTYD has gripped me to 100% it. That makes it special to me.
I'm curious--was it also your first time playing the game? Or had you played it on GameCube?
This is a great analysis, and 100% agree about the variety and multifaceted appeal of the different chapters being something that makes TTYD so unique.
The NPCs of Paper Mario TTYD are top tier for many of the reasons you are saying, but I would have to insist that many of them having unique designs and actual names is also essential to their memorability. It's also just so cool that Goombella will have names and attributes for so many of the characters if you choose to tattle in the overworld. Anyone who didnt use her to obessively tattle every screen and character missed out!
I admit my memory is pretty terrible, but even so - I find it telling that I struggle to remember any "new" characters from the previous three Paper Mario games besides the three helpers and King Olly, all of which have unique designs, and then one certain Bob-omb that manages to be an exception because his story arc is so strong it overcomes his generic design.
Meanwhile, I dont think I will be forgetting most of the NPCs and especially the partners in TTYD any time soon.
The original TTYD had a unique aesthetic for credits sequence, but I think it cannot be argued that the cast call credits sequence in the remake isnt something truly special. And it really is because all of those characters are near and dear to our hearts by the end, and we love to see them give their final bow. Its a toss up between that and the tear-jerking electric light parade ending of SMRPG for me (an ending so good, Paper Mario 64 reprises the theme).
12:13 This also happens in Paper Mario on the Nintendo 64.
Also, your explanation actually makes sense as to why TTYD has the unique designs, and why the later games don't.
I suspected it would explain that about the later games, but I haven't played them so I wasn't sure. Thanks for the confirmation!
Fantastic summary and totally agree! Been an absolute pleasure to see your journey through this game
I really appreciate your point that the unique designs are not the be-all end-all of what makes the NPCs interesting and that it is more about how they are utilized within the narrative. Origami King has a character named Bobby who is literally just the generic Bob-Omb sprite, but he's given this same kind of setup-payoff attention you discuss in the video and he's a really memorable character as a result. Great video and I really enjoyed your streams!
The ending is very Earthbound.
Love the conclusion of Jake's TTYD arc
I’m playing through right now and just got to Glitzville! This game is truly living up to the hype!!
Great video, Jake! Had an amazing time watching you play through the game live
I really enjoyed your playthrough of TTYD (my favorite game ever), which led me to your channel. It was really fun to see you hypothesizing and guessing what would come next and how the story would play out. I highly recommend you check out Bug Fables, which is a lot like the first 2 paper marios.
OH BABY
If you want another series with amazing NPCs, there’s the Trails series. Almost every NPC has a name and some ongoing backstory and life that they’re living through as you progress the game. Dialogue updates after every notable story event. Sometimes it’ll even payoff in a sidequest later, or you’ll recognize characters in new locations as they travel around.
They basically feel like real people with their own lives just going on in the background.
As someone who loves this game to death and has replayed it time and time again, even putting myself through stupidly difficult challenges curated by the community (Pre-Hooktail Pit, Level 1 Runs), this game is beyond great.
I think TTYD is flawed in the best kind of way. That's to say that every time I play the game, I'm left wanting more of the game itself. Its not so much a "I wish this game was better," or "I wish this game wasn't so short," sort of thing, its more of a "I wish i could do more with this game" kind of feeling, if that makes sense. Its why I've done so many challenges based around this game and why I've actively searched and fantasized about other games in this sort of style, it's such a great formula that makes me honestly wonder what led them to change it up. (No hate towards those entries in the series, though; Super Paper Mario is a bit shallow as a game but has a fantastic story, and from what I've heard, Color Splash and Origami King are both quite good in their own ways, just different. (We don't talk about Sticker Star.) )
Badge Points definitely add to that feeling, considering just how well executed they are, being a simple but intuitive system. They can have complexity to them, sure, but never to a point where it becomes too hard to figure out what the badge even does. The most complex they get are with the conditional badges, like the Power Rush and Last Stand badges, which are honestly some of my favorite with how fun they are to work into strategies while being flexible enough to play around with. I think it's probably one of the best implementations of an equipment-like system in an RPG without really being just basic equipment. You can make it as deep as you want it to be, and that's just by design.
That's not to say TTYD doesn't have issues of it's own though; I think compared to Paper Mario 64, this game feels far more disconnected from the rest of the world that you explore, and is definitely far more linear than it's predecessor. I'd argue that the X-Nauts can sometimes feel a bit shallow for villains, as charming as they are, and Bowser's B-plot in the grand scheme of the story definitely feels very out of place in the whole game, like it was just shoehorned in. Even still, the positives out weigh the negatives so heavily that things like these are forgivable, and I'd argue they don't make too great of an impact on the overall experience. TTYD is it's own game, as are the rest of the games in the Paper Mario series. Even so, as much as I hate hearing people argue about the series and the direction it went, it's definitely hard to see why they did end up changing it because of just how solid the first two games hold up (and still do) today.
And as an extra note of importance, the remake canonized and even rewrote Vivian's character to be a lot more respectful as a queer identity without the censorship that the original English version was translated with, which is always nice to see and gives me a lot of hope for the future of LGBTQ+ representation in media, especially those by big name video game publishers like Nintendo! :3
MORE JAKE VIDEOS MORE JAKE VIDEOS MORE JAKE VIDEOS
I love this game as much as Goom Goom loves Goombella in that one horny goomba sidequest.
If you can't tell by my username, I'm also a writer. I love this game and my major story is heavily inspired by it among other games.
wtf is BADGE points jake???
we can't expose ourselves to the non stream audience!!!!
Tried to listen to the analysis but kept getting distracted by Jake’s guns, guess that pit training session paid off 😳
Aren’t you on GameXplain?
I left GX back in January 🫡
Tbh, I don’t think TTYD holds up today. The battle mechanics are amazing but other aspects of the game are clearly lacking. The level design of the overworld is stale (it’s just a series of linear hallways). It’s a shame too bc the locations are stunning and I wish there was more variety in set pieces so I could really feel like I was immersed in the world. The story, while it’s enjoyable, it lacks a lot of depth ppl claim it has. I also personally don’t like the chapter style bc the story doesn’t feel as cohesive as it should. This is just my opinion, plz don’t feel like this is a personal attack on your experience with TTYD. I really wish I enjoyed the game as much as others but it really didn’t leave much of an impression on me.
Yet another ttyd review that only focuses on the good parts and ignores the glaring flaws 😔 sad to see another ttyd glazer who refuses to look at this game as anything but perfect
Hmm, I wouldn't call this video a review and I definitely don't think the game is perfect. I just wanted to focus on why I think the game found success with so many people. Even if you don't think the game is good I think it's worth discussing what elements have contributed to how the game has been able to build sentimentality over so many years.
@@JakeSteinberg oh. Personally I just have a lot of problems with the gameplay but yeah I can agree that it does do a lot of memorable things
@@KoCat2867damn dude you went from sayin bro was “glazing” the game, (ie suggesting fellatio of the game) which is a hell of an accusation of bias toward the reviewer, to crumbling like a crouton when he actually replied to you and you were confronted on it. Here’s a thought, maybe if nearly every reviewer you continue to see are largely giving praise to the game, enough so that it bothers you, perhaps it actually is a game worthy of the praise and perhaps its good aspects far outweigh any minor shortcomings, enough so that it’s almost not even worth mentioning those shortcomings. Then again, maybe youre right and in fact the consensus reached by everyone else that the sky is blue is in fact actually wrong and your thinking that it’s red is the real truth. So what’s more likely? That the sky is red and you’re just drinkin too much hater-ade. Or that the sky is blue and this is just actually an amazing 20 year old game worthy of its praise 🤔
@@quintavious2482 I didn't "crumble like a crouton", I realized that the video wasn't what I thought it was. Look I don't wanna start a whole argument so just leave me alone
@KoCat2867 your original message was definitely combative lol
I think the game is kind of boring, I had far more fun with Color Splash. Color Splash had far more personality than 1KYD.
It’s great to have been on the journey.
I very much enjoyed the post-game analysis. I think you’ve very eloquently articulated how this game leaves its mark.
Looking forward to more 🤟