After helping out the poor villagers of Rumbla Island, Mario and Luigi breathe a sigh of relief. The light above a large tree shines brightly and melodic piano music plays. The scene feels poetic and solemn, like the ending to a great movie. Little did I know I was still in the very first hours of a game that took me dozens to complete. I would soon have to repeatedly save an expansive set of islands, rewatching the light shine above the tree each time.
In Mario & Luigi: Brothership, our favorite mustachioed heroes vow to save a world called Concordia by connecting its many islands to each other. Doing so means they must embark on an arduous sea voyage (and rescue Princess Peach, of course). Their hard work is actively being thwarted by goons called the Extension Corps, led by their foggy-headed leader, Zokket, who wants to make the world a lonelier place. And as predicted, Bowser sticks his head in their business, too.
