Bastion
LQ: 9.15
Recommended Age: 10+
Skills Used: Planning, Working Memory, Mathematics, Reading
In Super Mario Land 3D, the goal is to make it to the flag at the end of each stage, defeating enemies, collecting power-ups, and picking up coins along the way. By collecting special Star Coins in each level — many of which are hidden from view or hard to get — new levels become unlocked, making locating them crucial to advancing in the game. If players don’t have the necessary Star Coins to advance, they’ll have to revisit previous stages to seek them out. Once they reach the end of each world, Mario boards an airship, and must face off against one of the Koopalings or Bowser himself! Super Mario 3D Land features optional 3D effects, and is fairly easy to play and control. There is minimal cartoon violence but no inappropriate or otherwise offensive content, so the game is recommended to players ages 7 and up.
Getting started and then maintaining attention and effort to tasks.
Due to the heavy focus on collection, players have to keep a close eye out for the hard-to-spot Star Coins. However, they must also carefully navigate the terrains of each stage, as there are many difficult platforming sections that require precise jumping and control.
Players must also remain persistent as they play, as some of the Star Coins are incredibly well hidden. This means exploring the nooks and crannies of each level until they find the final Star Coin (there are 3 in each stage). If players just race to the end of the stage without finding all of the Star Coins, they will eventually be prevented form advancing, requiring them to return to the stage again later in the game.
Adapting and adjusting to changing conditions and expectations.
Super Mario 3D land is filled with a variety of enemies, each of which have their own unique attack patters and powers, requiring players to use an array of strategies to defeat them. The need for flexibilty becomes even more prominent when using the various power-ups at Mario's disposal, as each changes the way he controls and attacks.
At the end of each level, players must enter an automatically side-scrolling level as well, which denys them the luxury to explore the level at their own pace. Instead, players have to think fast, quickly avoiding enemies and projectiles as they race to the end boss. On top of all that, they also have to collect Star Coins, just as in the other levels.
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