In the earlier stages, where the CPU was quite easy, I felt the Hyper Strikes got really repetitive, but once you were playing against more aggressive opponents and online opponents, the Hyper Strikes became extremely difficult to pull off, requiring immense technique to even get the time to have the ability to shoot your shot, and that’s a good thing as they felt much less gimmicky and much more strategy based.
Initially, I’ll admit that I felt at a loss for everything happening in Strikers, but as time continued, and I progressively played better opponents in the Cup Battles, I realised the items and Hyper Strikes actually play very well into the strategy and significantly help to dictating whether you need to play hugely offensively (without ball) resulting in your opponent getting massive levels of items, or if you really just want to play the most direct road to the aim inside a more traditional soccer style.
My only critique at the craziness that ensues is it can be hard sometimes to inform in which the ball is and also to determine within the moment which from the players are actually on your team. I think once things get serious online, this might decide matches that could be considered a problem, but hopefully Nintendo try to make players more visible.
One thing that can’t be understated is simply just how much personality farmville has. Every character has a wide variety of win/loss/goal scoring animations and from smashing your opponent into the wall towards the charming noises they create as they pass the ball is just so wonderful.
Just as with other recent Nintendo games such as Nintendo Switch Sports and Mario Tennis Aces, the times of unlocking things locally is near non-existent in Nintendo games and that’s very much the same here. Past the cups that may be played locally (which don’t really provide any unlocks), you’ll wish to bring your game online in to the Strikers Club.
Now admittedly, all of my games ran flawlessly so far, however they were just online quick battles with other reviewers and that i haven’t had a chance to experience Strikers Club yet. I kind of like the idea but worry that it’s a very “Nintendo” execution. At first glance, I believed it was very similar to FIFA’s seasons with divisions, which is that at first glance, but instead of having your own progession, material be tied to a golf club with up to 20 other players, who can either be friends or complete randoms. Your movement across divisions is associated with your whole clubs success, so for example you’ll want to be playing with all the people in your club as it’s based on how many games happen to be won across your whole club.
I think the idea is cool, but I believe that when I’m playing online inside a ranked type mode, I don’t want other people’s performance dictating the way i go, in a game that may be played solo. I really do want to see Nintendo trying out new things within the online space though, and that i didn’t have a single hiccup in almost any of my online matches beside the odd frame drop.
Customisation is a huge part of Mario Strikers: Battle League. Unlocking parts enables you to change your characters attributes, so you might turn Bowser right into a more agile player than he initially is, or you might give Toad less speed but make him a better shooter. It’s a nice addition, but feels more about cosmetics than other things which is totally fine.
Super Mario: Strikers Battle League got more fun as I put additional time in it. It feels perfect when it comes to being basic enough that anyone can pick up but nonetheless really requiring skill and achieving lots of depth. It seems like Nintendo continues to be discovering how you can navigate developing a game that's both an excellent single player experience whilst also providing depth online, but things are definitely improving with every release.
