Ask the Developer Vol. 15, Mario & Luigi: Brothership – Part 4 | Updates

Throughout the series, we’ve often leaned on piano-driven background music. This time, we wanted to shake things up by incorporating wind instruments, aiming to infuse more emotion into the gameplay, and then we let the musician work his magic.

Creating the music was no easy task, as it involved weekly brainstorming sessions with Sakamoto-san. We constantly questioned, “What exactly defines the ‘Mario & Luigi-like’ sound?” With some laughs along the way, we eventually settled on a selection of instruments that resonated with that iconic vibe, trimming them down to capture that essence. Think of lively steel pans, vibrant brass bands, and the cheerful notes of accordions.

Once we pinpointed our instrument choices, the sound naturally began to reflect the series’ beloved atmosphere. Although the term “Mario & Luigi-like” is quite abstract, a crucial element we focused on was ensuring that the music synced seamlessly with the in-game movements of Mario and Luigi. The end result? A soundtrack teeming with fantastic tunes.

What struck me the most was that aside from recurring tracks, we actually crafted unique pieces tailored for specific scenes. Typically in games, we reuse the same tracks for battles, boss fights, and events. But this time, each cutscene enjoyed its very own musical composition.

This particular project took a different approach, as we only added music after each scene was already laid out. Sakamoto-san crafted each composition by reviewing scene transitions to ensure a perfect fit. For the more intense moments, we engaged in collaborative discussions to shape the music.

As the story unfolded, a certain synergy emerged. There are over 100 tracks, and each one hits the mark. I’m definitely snagging the soundtrack! (Chuckles)

Generic tunes just wouldn’t do justice to these detailed cutscenes. They were carefully crafted, and we felt they deserved an extra layer of music to amplify the drama, so we ended up adding 40 tracks to the original 60, making it more impactful.

In terms of timing, we all shared a laugh. Sure, we worked on a tight schedule, but the more effort we invested, the more we found ourselves engrossed. Eventually, recording a live performance brought the music to life even more.

The heart of the “Mario & Luigi-like” experience in this game is largely thanks to the team at Acquire, who delved deep into the series’ roots. To enhance that vibe further, we brought in folks with rich histories in the series, from AlphaDream veterans to the game’s world developer and battle director. Having Maekawa-san, a seasoned contributor to the series, oversee the project certainly enriched this installment’s authenticity.

For many of us, it was a significant learning curve. Our goal was to ensure fans of the earlier games wouldn’t find this one out of sync with their expectations.

Balancing the story and gameplay, especially in an RPG, can be quite a juggle. As we neared the production’s closure, Fukushima-san collaborated closely with the battle system developers.

In earlier installments, battles relied on a “badge” system. Once activated, you’d wait for it to recharge, leading players to reserve it for pivotal moments like boss fights. We sought a fresh approach, so with Acquire’s help, the Battle Plug system was conceived. This allowed players to be more carefree in its usage, integrating with the game’s theme. Equipping Battle Plugs swiftly alters regular actions, making changes apparent during gameplay.

However, the myriad combinations within the Battle Plug system posed a balancing challenge.

I’ll tell you, that was quite something! (Laughs) With over 40 Battle Plugs, there are endless combinations. The aim here isn’t for players to be bogged down with complex strategies; rather, it’s about enjoying the freedom to experiment and feel immediate effects, making it approachable for younger gamers venturing into the world of video games.

Discovering not just individual plug effects but also the synergies when combined is a fun process. Everyone has their preference, whether it’s picking offensive plugs for quick wins or defensive ones focusing on recovery and counterattacking. Each plug has limited uses before needing a recharge, so while they regain power, players can swap them out, exploring and finding their favorites.

As for me, Iron Ball plugs are a go-to in battles! Equipped alone, the Surprise Iron Ball plug drops a single metal ball, but pair it with a Kaboom Attack, and you’ve got iron balls showering multiple foes. Stack two Surprise Iron Ball plugs, and the balls grow larger; combine that with Kaboom, and massive balls crash down on enemies. It’s intuitive and adds an exciting layer to gameplay.