So, you all remember when Paper Mario was good? Yeah, I know, such a unique and original perspective of mine that the newer games are bad. Though to be fair, the only newer game I played was Sticker Star, and I could only last a few hours. I do hope to give Color Splash and Origami King a fair shot at some point, but from what I’ve heard and seen, they seem to lack what drew many people such as myself to the original trilogy.
Now, for the purpose of disclosure, I didn’t actually grow up with the original Paper Mario, and thus don’t have the nostalgic attachment to it as I do Thousand Year Door and Super Paper Mario, but it’s a pretty damn good game in its own right. What I like most about it is how it takes the most overdone plot in the Mario series, Bowser kidnapping Princess Peach and trying to take over the Mushroom Kingdom, and fleshes it own. There’s so much passion and emotion put into this game that is absent in other Mario titles. And yes, this isn’t Final Fantasy VII or anything, but it’s still powerful in its own right.
This track, for instance, comes during the final battle against Bowser. The presentation during this battle is unmatched, with the this song being preceded by the frighteningly aggressive, Bowser’s Rage, a track that basically screams ‘YOU’RE SCREWED!!!” This is meant to accompany Bowser’s invulnerability due to possessing the star rod’s power. It looks like everything is hopeless, until Princess Peach makes her wish to the Star Spirits for Mario to overcome Bowser and save everyone. Considering that the star spirits are power by the wishes of ordinary people, this allows them to turn the tide of the battle and break through Bowser’s invulnerability.
As for the song itself, the first word that comes to mind to describe it is is “magical.” It simultaneously evokes a sensation of child-like wonderment while also fitting the dire and desperate situation. Even the choice of instrumentation, with that flute like instrument, gives this track an otherworldly feel, as if it’s coming from the heavens themselves in humanity’s darkest hour. It’s because of this track that this scene has as much emotion as it does, and it just would not have the same impact without it.
Anyway, I’ll see you next VGM.
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