Mario Galaxy 2 has no hub world?

Written by pikaby

So many things to say.....where do I start first. I guess I'll quote whatever Miyamoto said on the issue.

“We want players to focus on the joy of the action instead of getting to each game course. We wanted to make it as accessible as possible and as easy as possible for the players. Also because we’re going to incorporate a number of different stars and conquering all the stars is going to be one of the most challenging missions for the player, we want them to understand as easy as possible where they should go next and which places they should go back to in order to get access to the remaining stars.”

That makes it the second 3D Mario game tradition that Mario Galaxy 2 has broken, having no hub world and all. (the first one is the fact that this is the first direct sequel to a 3D Mario platform game). I was shocked when I first heard the news. Hub worlds have always, ALWAYS been the staple of the 3D Mario games. When it was first used in Mario 64, it quickly became the role model for god-knows how many other 3D platformers. Now Mario reverts back to his 2D origins, with a simple world map.

My concerns here are perhaps Miyamoto is thinking too much. I sure didn't feel like trudging around the hub world was tiring, not at all(okay, maybe in late game, but...). It's the place where the story goes on. It's the place where you are safe and don't have to worry about losing a life(unless you decide to commit suicide by drowning yourself in the pool, that I can't help you with, you maniac). It's the place where the 'secret worlds' are found, though the solution to this was far easier than I thought.

So Mario Galaxy 2, essentially, is like New Super Mario Bros. Wii, following a world-by-world progression, but this time in full 3D and definitely looks more fun. Miyamoto has also promised a higher level of difficulty in Galaxy 2 to cater to seasoned Galaxy 1 players, and yet still maintain the same level of accessibility for those who haven't touched Galaxy. This balance is tricky to pull off, but I'm sure Miyamoto won't disappoint. To that end he's talked about utilizing something similar to the 'Super Guides' in New Super Mario Bros. Wii for this game.

 

See that link on the top? It's GameInformer's inerview with Shigsy. Go click it. In it he stated that there probably will be around 240 stars to collect-yes, you heard right, what his stand is on violent, realistic games, talking about the advent of 3D, and 'Wii games that haven't been designed with care' (a.k.a shovelware). Lots of fascinating things.

More tides in gaming change going on in Mario Galaxy 2. Fans are going to break up into two camps once again, those who like the hub world and those who like it gone. Hearkens back to the GameCube era when the same number of changes were made to all of Nintendo's major franchises, and they didn't lose anything from it, so here's hoping the removal of the hub world is trimming extra fat.

I AM going to miss it though.

Mario Galaxy 2 has no hub world?