#reclusa m&l

[moonflower-pies]

Character under the cut because of major spoilers for Mario and Luigi: Brothership

[bowletta]

happy 21st anniversary, superstar saga! ✌️

glad to see her influence still lingers decades later

[cardinalcyn]

"a world of perfect solitude!"

i had to draw this little gremlin as soon as I heard about him. probably one of the most dangerous Mario villains in recent memory

[flonbowe]

MAJOR BROTHERSHIP SPOILERS, ESPECIALLY RELATED TO ZOKKET!

You have been warned

So they’re like, a toxic relationship right?/hj

OK JOKING ASIDE These two are very interesting to me, and since we've known about Zokket longer, I'll be talking about him first in this thread of reblogs and posts

Zokket

So to get the elephant out of the room, I earnestly don’t believe he is just Cozette brainwashed

Like Aside from small details like the body shape being larger than she is, Zokket's voice sounding very much so different in not just the voice bleps, but in his actual grunts and noises (Especially so before his boss fight), there's things like Zokket's personality, behavior, hell he's even flat out referred to as a separate person a couple times.

Cozette after being freed only ever mentions being under Reclusa's control, and putting on a mask to become Zokket. A mask that breaks once Zokket is beaten.

The way Zokket is defeated, the way the Glohn energy flees off of Cozette's body, coupled with the fact it was specifically a mask Cozette said she donned to become Zokket, tells me outright that Zokket isn't exactly brainwashing, but instead a type of spirit or possession used to carry out Recluse's will. Now All this to say Zokket is his own person, and a very interesting person. Unlike most other Mario characters, he's a very flat character. Intentionally so don't get me wrong, that's the point. He's focused more on numbers than people. He doesn't "misremember" names, he actively doesn't care. His first proper scene is him misnaming the Extension Corps multiple times, with him getting more aggravated the more they try to correct him. He visits Shipshape a couple times through out the game, and most of those visits usually end with him mocking the idea of having connections and overall being very bitter. He's a cold cold man, and even during his boss fight he revels in making the bros hurt each other. There's also some interesting extra details via hidden logs from Cozette while being possessed, and Zokket writing his plans through her body. Quoting from those logs "The egg says its name is Reclusa. Yes, it told me its name, and that makes sense. The egg speaks directly to my brain. The egg has also shared this important truth. Loneliness is sublime . The egg only SEEMS not to move. But it definitely speaks in my brain. I now know my only calling: the resurrection of Reclusa. Loneliness is sublime . All connections will be severed. Reclusa will rule a new era of isolation. Once I have completed my task, I, too, will know the bliss of isolation. Loneliness is sublime . Approximately 284 hours, 56 minutes, and 29 seconds until the resurrection. "Beyond the Glohmatic Ray" "I have distilled the isolate energy from Spite Bulbs. That will be the source for Glohm. I can then focus and amplify it through the Great Lighthouses..." "The So-Called Extension Corps." " I met these buffoons on Slippenglide Island and employed them as generals over my army. They are intensely incompetent but loyal. Do they seek glory, or are simply afraid? They will be superfluous after the rebirth. I will need some means to dispose of them" "Building an Army" "My soldiers, my hands in the wide world, are simply junk repurposed and rebuilt. I gave them language so they might cooperate., but it is absurd to see these junk piles speak. I cannot imagine a place for them in the new world after he is reborn. They will suffer. They may rebel and become ungovernable. No matter--they are ephemeral things." after Recluse was revived, Zokket intended to torture the Zok Troops, his minions, of which HE created. Zokket doesn't just hate bonds, but seems to actively wants to break them. He strayed from his goal of reviving Reclusa by using some of the Glohm to make handheld rays to make people miserable and hate each other, instead of just using the Lighthouses for Reclusa. He threatens the Corps when the revival is almost complete, which would have come to fruition anyway had they succeeded. Zokket seems to fully understand bonds, and despises them. He's not apathetic, he's actively resentful... Except For Reclusa Excluding voice clips, the only time he laughs, is here.

His only use of positive language, and its when he's dying, where he should be at his lowest. Instead, he gets excited, happy, happy to see his Great Inspiration finally return to this world. For a man who hates bonds, he seems to have a great deal of care for his master. A master he was willing to die for, who he was destroyed for. Not even Connie, who he can't forget because of Cozette's lingering consciousness, all Zokket can muster for her is remembering her name, unlike Reclusa. So Who is Zokket? Zokket is a very cruel, bitter person. He's distant and calculating, planning and very exact, very precise ways to revive his master. But he's also sadistic, planning misery for anyone and everyone involved in his plans, for the goal of isolating the world for his master, Reclusa. a master, who he has a deep level of fondness for, the only person he actively shows happiness towards, a person who he spends his alone time with, his purpose, his great inspiration. That's Zokket (At least, my thoughts as to who Zokket is)

[jelly-fish-wishes]

The game literally pulled a "CALL AN AMBULANCE. But not for me."

PFPTH!

[aro-luigi]

So Reclusa is basically an aplaroace (loveless?) Jevil & Dimentio fusion in sensory overload?

[dimentioshouldntbehere]

I think it's time to kinfirm the other evil jester. No, not Jevil. No, not Marx. Yes, Reclusa. I don't know why I'm surprised, honestly.

[thoughtpeek]

I'VE FINALLY FINISHED BROTHERSHIP IT WAS SOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!

[reclusafanpage]

Regarding an earlier post about the horror of a complete stranger making you a perfect wonderland: since my own autistic urge for Reclusa is inexorable, I was struck with a... shall we say delightful idea like yesterday - slow burn analog horror about a "happy land project" that turns out to be Reclusa's plan with the artificial flower dreams. There'd be lily-of-the-valley motifs, scenes of unscrupulous mind-reading, "this company is sus as shit" moments, and perhaps the fact or implication that Reclusa took a quick jaunt to the nearby world of Mario just like he said he would. Thoughts?

oh my goddd..... love me some analog horror. slowly realizing you're living a nightmare when you thought you were in bliss. *and you can't escape* HONESTLY makes me think of that one meme (?) if i may call it that, from reddit, that one story where a guy's basically been living a perfect life, got a family, kid and all that, then he sees that one, weird-looking, flat lamp, and realizes it was all a dream and he's been in a coma all this time. yeah....... despair is what you'd feel in the end i suppose

[starryluminary]

FINALLYYYYY GOD. THIS TOOK 2 WEEKS TO BEAT

Reached 30 tags so here’s the rest of my thoughts:

AND I PLAYED FOR ANOTHER TEN HOURS. IT NEVER ENDED

but yes. despite all that whining I did have a blast with brothership

I want to play through it again. I feel like this is the kind of game that needs a second play through to digest it properly

Ok that’s it. Glad I finished l. Goodnight folks

[munchboxart]

I finished Mario & Luigi Brothership!!! I am writing this right after the credits, so I have no idea if there's post credits stuff.

Big warning, major spoilers, I will spit everything out!!!

Also, the only other M&L game I've finished was Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, so I can't say anything between those 2 games for experience.

Super long by the way, the game is like 40+ hours long.

So I will be going in order from story + characters, gameplay and then misc. if I have anything else to say.

STORY

I can't lie, the first half felt so fucking boring LMFAO. I think that was also an issue in Superstar Saga but I did pay more attention there (probably because it was the first M&L game I played). Man I'm sorry I do not gaf about "new world new characters" shit. Kirby did this too when they first went 3D and I couldn't care less I'm sorry, not. I do like the Extension Corps. though.

BUT THE SECOND HALF? IT HAD ME LIKE THIS

The first time I heard Bowser Jr.'s voice I started to lock in. LIKE DAMN? CHARACTERS I ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT?

I'm happy that they gave Bowser a more subdued role in the game since I heard he played more major parts in older games. I'm also happy that they're tagging along Bowser Jr. more in these stories!! I wish we got a little more but I'll happily eat the crumbs. I'm so happy they gave him a friend, albeit, a little bittersweet since he and everyone else from Mario world don't belong there :( I'm a little shocked that they didn't have a scene together in the end in the credits though? I figured they would've shown him and buddy saying goodbye, though I'm also happy with them showing Bowser saving 2 Goombas. He is that guy!!!

SORRY going back to Concordia, I'll be honest, I paid half attention in the first part of the story. I can't say I was too invested in any of the characters. Peach joining IDLE was cute. I did like the story in Rumbla island and the one with Chilliam and Burnadette, don't care much for the rest. Extension Corps. were fun, I definitely like all of the bosses from them. The Bowser arc was definitely one of my favorites, albiet, it felt... shoehorned in I can't lie. Bowser Jr.'s story makes sense in it but Bowser's story just felt really short compared to the rest, especially when collecting the bond tear things?

The Great Conductor is fucking awesome. I love that guy. Shamefully, when he did that quiz on if you know Luigi or Mario, I got all of the Luigi's right but every single Mario wrong 😔. Did not care about that fraud, only saw the goat in my eyes. I would love to have a giant plushie of the Great Conductor.

As for the Glohm part of the story. Since I didn't pay attention that much, Cozette being Zokket was a surprise to me LMFAO, HONESTLY, I CAN SEE HOW SOMEONE CAN SEE THE CONNECTION, but I didn't sadly. I'm a little sad that Zokket is a guy though, there are not a lot of fem villains in general so I don't really understand why they made him a guy aside from just making the twist harder to catch.

Anyways, let's talk about the big bad baddie, Reclusa. Oh my god, Nintendo loves their vague jester-esque characters LMFAOOOOOOO

Before I get to his character, can I think the puzzles dragged it way too long LMFAO. WHEN I SAW THE PUZZLE ROOM I GROANED SO LOUDLY. LIKE FIRST THE BONDS AND NOW THIS?

Anyways, Reclusa's motivation is very very interesting. At first the "everything's better in an isolated world!" thing doesn't make sense, especially since the TVs he forces onto people are just simulations of them with their friends and bonds, things he's trying to get away from. But it makes more sense as a selfish point of view, where HE wants to live alone. Also I remember hearing someone talk about how he also could kill everyone this way from starvation. Munch to think about.

I think I like Reclusa way more than Cackletta? A little more memorable I think but I think Cackletta's personality is a little better? At least along with Fawful. Also I think Reclusa has the better theme, phase 3 is pretty awesome.

As for the fight with Reclusa. Uhm, ok so I might have over-prepared LMFAO. PHASE 3 TOOK ME LIKE 3-4 TURNS. I had to be sure to have Waitaminnit (where it gives you an extra turn in a row), Bros. Boost, Item Share and Performance Bonus. I also made sure to get that Golden Grampy Turnip glove where it gives you like 30% pow and decreases speed or something. Reclusa's ball form gave me more trouble than phase 3 💀 it's a little sad. I wish he had more HP. But it was fun, Glohm forms of the Zok bosses definitely gave me a harder time when it was their turns too (I suck at dodging). I wanna try again to see his other moves.

OH ACTUALLY I just remembered, the looping Mushroom Kingdom goes hard. I think that's such a cool part of the story it's awesome. Plus it's the first and only part of the Mushroom Kingdom we get to see in 3D for M&L.

Overall, I think it was fun. A lot of slow times to be honest but there are some very good parts that make it worth while. My feelings toward it reminds me of how I felt with Kirby's Forgotten Land, but this one definitely went better for the story and some characters. Still foreign but not foreign enough that it becomes unrecognizable (compliment). Definitely won't replay it, though.

GAMEPLAY

It's fun, especially when you unlock all of the Bros. moves. I think it's extremely strange that Luigi's select button isn't B anymore when you pick his menu stuff. Although, him auto jumping makes sense in the 3d environment, would probably frustrate players if it wasn't auto. Although, I hate how he just jumps in place sometimes instead of moving forward. I love spamming jump while walking, especially one at a time per brother, so him jumping in place and lagging behind is annoying.

Also, Luigi's AI in the overworld is finicky but not bothersome most of the time, since there are very few times you'll be needing him alone. This was definitely the most frustrating part I had to experience. I took too long to pass the bomb but he wouldn't pick up another one (this happened 3 times because I am slow).

Also I love Luigi Logic. I forgot to mention this in the story part but one time I was so entranced by Luigi Logic that I didn't pay attention to a word he said. Haha Luigi you're so smart and funny twirls my hair /j

I love Bros. Attacks so much, definitely what makes M&L iconic. Although, the same issue I had in Superstars is in here too, where it takes forever to get the first/second bros. move. It makes the gameplay so boring. Although, I do think I prefer Superstar Saga's more? I like that they incorporated types way more, like what do you mean a fire only Max-Mix Vortex doesn't do more damage on the ice type Pipegunk? Whatever.

Plugs are cool I think, although I think it's kind of crazy that they give you 4-5 extensions at the end. The gloves and treasures are basically useless aside from like 2 treasures/gloves. Item Share is also busted, I was interchanging those on and off with other plugs when I needed a shroom. I wish changing plugs actually took a turn because of that? Sure I could make it harder for myself but whatever.

OH ALSO I DIDN'T BRING THIS UP EITHER IN THE STORY MODE, MY FAVORITE ENEMY ARE THE SHY GUYS. I love that their attacks are basically just Mario Party mini-games. Shy Guy Says!!!! It's so fucking awesome.

Misc.

Some out of order stuff that I think of.

I like that they're ragging on Luigi less, maybe it's because it's a new world so they don't know about Luigi much, but it's nice that they're treating him better.

I didn't mention this in the story section but I really like Reclusa's world in phase 2-3. Splatoon Side Order vibes much? Does a good job mixing in electricity and brain stuff I think, if that makes sense.

This made me laugh, I'm sorry.

I'm obsessed with this, THIS IS SO CUTE. THE LITTLE PAWS ON THE ARM REST, and Jr.'s spikes matching the ones on his head, while Bowser's matches his shell. I FORGOT TO TALK ABOUT THIS, BUT THE ARMY CARING ABOUT BOWSER JR.'S FRIENDSHIP WITH BUDDY..... I wish they pushed it more but 😭😭😭I also wish they pushed Bowser trying to protect Jr. a bit more too. Like give me more content pleaseeee 😭😭😭😭😭

Uhmm music. I'll be so honest, I don't think the M&L series has had that much of interesting OSTs aside from a couple. I did mention this earlier but Reclusa's theme definitely is a big standout for me, since I never really liked all of the other final bosses themes. Speaking of which, I'm shocked Bowser and Zokket doesn't have a unique theme? The only ones that get a unique theme is the Extension Corps & Reclusa, which is... strange. Especially when Zokket was framed as the big baddie for most of the game.

I hate the "rhythm game" Dyode and the other one makes you play, THAT IS NOT A RHYTHM GAME, THAT IS A BABY'S FIRST MUSICAL TOY. I hate that it's not even that accurate to the song either so I sometimes get "Great" because the beat is weird!!!

Oh yeah, when I first fought a full set of Bowser's army, it just felt so right. This is Mario and Luigi!! It just reminds me so much of how I felt with Forgotten Land. Speaking of which, I'm seeing a correlation of games that started out as 2D, moving into 3D for the first time (for Mario & Luigi, it's more like a first time on a console) and the story being about going to another world. And if that becomes a trope (or already is), I hate it very much. Like why is the first thing you want to do when celebrating your game moving to another dimension, is to go to another world? It feels alienating. I want to see the original characters!! I don't care about tweedle dee and tweedle dumb in this new dimension we don't have any history with. At least M&L's wasn't that bad of a change.

I think that's all for now? I'll definitely talk more if I have any other thoughts. Not really much to talk about in-depth for. I don't regret playing it but I definitely wish there was less fluff in the gameplay (stuff that makes the game longer, like hunting for the bonds).

[hugsohugs]

m&l brothership spoilers

man that hallucinated mushroom kingdom was so delightfully creepy

it's kinda cute that part of mario and luigi's ideal life (or at least reclusa's interpretation of mario and luigi's ideal life) involves bowser becoming friends with the mushroom kingdom...then again he got removed shortly after appearing in there so who knows?

anyway i'm pretty sure i'm about to fight reclusa. wish me luck!!

[bowletta]

my thoughts on brothership!

(major spoilers edition!)

Please beat the game before reading

(click here for No spoilers version)

The first thing i need to address:

YOU.

the moment i saw him. It was all over. The collar, the dress, the spiked cloak...

- My God. I love reclusa. I love his little noises, his silly faces. I love it. We havent seen a twist final boss since pit (...ok techically bis too but. To a lesser degree). I love the angst between him and cozette. I wish he showed his true power more..? As cool as he is hes kind of underwhelming, especially compared to the lore tidbits we get on him. Too bad we will never see him again lol 💔

- the final boss fight itself was really underwhelming tbh. All this build up and I had him knocked out in like 10 turns without dying once. It doesnt help the music (while i like it!) doesnt stand up to the likes of the grand finale or even paper jam's final boss theme.

- I cannot believe there wasnt a single fawful cameo in the entire game. Like the fact cackletta fans ate So good yet there wasnt so much as a whisper of by far the most popular m&l character was.. baffling.

- reefs. As small as they were, i really liked the character choices. Zeekeeper and peasley were strange but incredibly based picks. Everyone got a little somethimg to eat, no matter what your favorite game is : )

what I dont understand about reefs is.. are they from mario and luigis world? Or were they natively in concordia prior? How do they know about peasley and the shroobs? Who made them? How? Why? The implications are all over the place.

-cozette. You poor thing. I love her. This kind of applies to the whole game but I wish they didnt just tell us the plot. Her reveal wouldve felt so much more significant if the great conductor didnt just spill the beans right before.

I forgot to mention it before but as much as I like snoutlet... he holds the players hand too much. Please. Let me figure out the puzzle myself. Let me connect the plot myself without you dumbing it down for my pea sized brain. Pleas.

- technikki and adaphne. I know the game heavily implies adaphnikki is endgame i just dont know how I feel about it... adaphne is just so mean to her for no reason. Even if they get along by the end, technikki shouldnt just lie down like a dog for her! She was so mean to her! And never even apologized! Idk im glad theres like 5 different ladies we can ship technikki with but this one is pushed so hard ingame..

- kind of a minor plothole but chilliam and burnadettes wedding. I thought it was really interesting how they portrayed the two as deeply in love, even if their own people refuse to accept it, but then the next cutscene later theyre all fine with it? Ok lol

Theres probably more I cant think of atm i just really wanted to talk about reclusa ❤️

[cardinalcyn]

mario and luigi brothership spoilers

so, this might sound out of the blue, but has anybody seen the twilight zone? like, the original 1959 twilight zone? there's an episode called "a nice place to visit" that i think makes a certain plot twist at the end of brothership much, much scarier. let me explain

so, "a nice place to visit" is about this gangster guy. he gets himself killed by police, and when he dies, he wakes up and a man named pip tells him that he is his guide, and that he can give him whatever he wants. the gangster guy is suspicious at first. he tries to find the catch. but after he tries to shoot pip and pip is unharmed, he realizes this is his afterlife. he pursues it with reckless abandon, asking for money and girls and all kinds of hedonistic stuff. but he's not permitted to see his friends, who have also died. this afterlife is for him and him alone. after a few months he has grown bored of having everything he could ever want, and he asks pip to give him challenges, let him lose. pip says that he can arrange that. the gangster realizes that if even his losses are pre-arranged ahead of time, it doesn't matter either way. he realizes he can't stand it in this afterlife. he begs pip to take him out of this heaven, send him to "the other place". the twist? "this IS the other place!"

so how does this apply to brothership?

remember reclusa's whole plan? he puts people in a brainwashing flower thing that gives them a world where everything they want comes true, for them and them alone. reclusa is then free to do whatever the hell he wants in "perfect solitude". he doesn't care if the people starve in those flowers. that's the point.

but if you think about it... well, even if you're starving to death and don't realize it because you're in a flower-induced dream, what happens when you have a world that gives you everything you want? pretty soon, you're going to end up like the gangster in "a nice place to visit": bored out of your mind and realizing that nothing in your "ideal world" is real. it's been made for you. your world of isolation.

brothership touches on this with its fake peach's castle, but it ignores the reality that anyone locked inside those flowers could come to the same conclusion as the mario brothers. the same conclusion that the gangster did.

by the time they realize that reclusa's heaven where all your dreams come true is all hollow and fake, it'll be too late. even if they manage to break the spell in time, their bodies will be weak and malnourished, and only a few other people will have come to the same conclusion at the same time. not to mention, reclusa will want them back in their blissful flower world. and he'll get that, if these people are too weak to fight back.

in other words: if you're trapped in reclusa's world, you'll go to hell before you die

[mar64ds]

my complicated feelings towards the themes and the villain of the new game. spoilers under read more!

this is not a completely negative rant. my feelings are complicated for a reason! i also understand that this is a mario game and i don't expect a mario game to talk about the complexities of love and lovelessness, i really don't lol

let's start with the positives! i really really am glad the game focuses on bonds. NOT in love. it focuses on bonds, it never says that love makes them stronger or anything, it's all about connections with people, with or without love. it's also heavily about community, helping others, being there for each other. this is all super nice! there is a reason why the game did genuinely not make me feel horrible or anything, there was so much here that i genuinely thought was very nice and very thoughtful

however, there is still some of that good old alone = bad. they do try to say at the end that it's fine to be alone sometimes, and the game is clearly trying to say something about the importance of community in an growingly isolating society (genuinely interesting commentary in a mario game lol) but yeaaah it does sting a little in the way that the villain is so absurdingly cartoonily evil and is the only character that prefers to be alone

i both kind of love and hate reclusa. i would have preferred if zokket was the main villain, and while at times i thought 'his design is fun' others i thought 'oh god he looks like a h*zbinhotel character i kind of hate him'. he is still a funny insane jester mario character so the love outweights the hate, and even if like i said i am not a fan that the ONLY character that goes against the societal expectations of relationships is the evil cartoony villain, i DO still love the loveless evil cartoony villain. i can point at the screen in a jokely manner and say 'so true he is so right' and have a few laughs, i can have fun with these characters

my feelings were complicated at this point of the story. i really enjoyed the positive things the game was saying, the surprisingly interesting commentary, the insane psychological horrors they put the brothers towards the end lol. but at the same time, i was a little bothered by how they were handling the expected in any piece of media: alone = bad. all good guys in the stories have friends and families, even the regular villains have friends, but the ultra super bad guy is the only one that enjoys a life on his own and of course we make him do very evil things to prove his point. it leaves a bad taste in my mouth even if i can see the positive things the game is also trying to say. again, complicated feelings.

the ending did break my heart. i think it is the closest the game gets to make me feel a little miserable lol

it just felt to me like a loveless person that lost his way somehow, that became so frustrated with how society works and how it views people like him that he tried to do some evil plan so everyone will finally and truly leave him alone. this is all in my head and the game never implies this, but seeing a broken and defeated loveless character being told that they were defeated by the power of friendship and that they don't belong with the heroes always feels so heartbreaking to me. like yeah obviously he is an evil jerk, he absolutely did everything wrong, he is not innocent. but it's about the themes, the subtext, the metaphor, even if completely unintentional. but it's there, i see it. and it hurts.

but aside from that scene, i do genuinely appreciate that the feelings overall are complicated, normally i just end up sad and frustrated, but here it was a combination of good and bad, which is better than the usual 'yeah this makes me feel terrible about being loveless, cool'

the story wasn't perfect, i personally would have also preferred it didn't get as cinematic and dramatic as it did, which i know it sounds insane, but i prefer the overall tone and presentation the old m&l games had. it was still definitely a good game, the rest of my posts about this game will all be me talking about the things i really enjoyed, but i did want to talk about my feelings towards the themes, especially now that i've figured out my lovelessness

also reclusa should have been a woman

[jelly-fish-wishes]

Oh my GOD