Every good RPG title contains boss battles that test a player's skills, determining whether a particular build worked. In Paper Mario: The Origami King, a boss battle will work differently from traditional battles, and players need to rethink their approach to these fights. A boss battle will use the new ring-based system in the game, but instead of having Mario in the middle of him like in regular fights, he's on the outside, and the boss will be in the center.
In The Origami King, a new combat system focuses on Mario being in the center of a circle, surrounded by several outer rings. Enemies stand on sections of this ring, and players have a limited amount of time to line up enemies so Mario can deal the most damage to them using his various attacks. If you can finish lining them up before the time runs out, you'll receive an attack bonus, potentially removing them all before they have a chance to attack.
With a boss battle using this system, having Mario stand on the outer ring, you will have to think outside the box as the fight approaches. Even the combat mechanics change for this.
Rather than attempting to line up enemies, you'll need to figure out the best path through the outer rings to reach the center and hit the boss using one of Mario's attacks. However, you still have limited time to react and move the outer rings around the center. In each space of the Outer Ring, Mario moves along the board, and your goal is to get as close to the boss as possible to unleash a devastating attack. If you can't hit a proper attack within the allotted time, you have an option to save some time, but the video doesn't detail what you need to give up in order to receive more.
These bosses will have a unique weak point; you will have to learn how to mine to cause the most damage. The colored pencil case, for example, can damage itself if Mario closes the lid when he tries to send a barrage of missiles against him. Projectiles explode while it is closed, damaging itself considerably. Each boss will likely have a similar weakness. Mario will know more during the fight to eliminate them much faster.
Screenshot via NintendoThere were three patterns shown in the first video: colored pencils, rubber band, and tape. Each is a fun twist on standard office supplies, so players can expect some boring extra supplies to make appearances, such as paper clips, staplers, pens, thumbtacks, and several more.
While only three have been shown, we can expect more bosses to be in Paper Mario: The Origami King, and there could be even more advanced fights against them later in the game. The brief preview shows us how the already unique combat mechanics will have a fun touch during these challenging fights, expanding the potential of what players will encounter during the game.
