Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (Switch) - 5 - Too Clefter By Half

We've all heard of CleFts but where are CleKms?
---------------
Patreon: / skawo
Twitch: / skawo
Discord: See channel banner
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @skawo
------------
Outro music: Meatball

[@charismaentertainer1657]

10:24 I like how for new players when it Zooms in they expect to be put into a battle with the thwomp. Y’know, more ways to push the fake out with the new added battle transition.

[@fenniken5381]

1 thing i respect about paper mario is the freedom of approach. Personally as far as level ups go i prefer an even spread, and for badges i go for utility, as many different attack options as well as general good passives like spike shield. That style just fits what works for the games i play and am what im most comfortable with.

[@anwd8646]

7:47 Hey look! There’s a weeg in the crowd!

[@fruitsalad2379]

When I was a kid, I always thought if you failed the quiz, the Thwomp would squish you and you’d instantly Game Over

[@wouterW24]

I don't think items are particulary underpowered for much of the game, they do severly hurt or clear out the more gimmicky high/defense enemies well enough. It's just that if you know what you're doing you don't end up relying much on them and then they clog precious inventory. With the remake's higher default inventory I did manage to have a situation where it somewhat helped(I was only being *slightly* lazy). It's mainly that Earth Tremor also does the job and is so easy to keep charged. TTYD's design in general has zero-RPG experience kids in mind so it often gives an easy out for very inefficient/clumsy players while also greatly rewarding more efficient play. Especially that initially tempting high HP build will lead to depending on items more.

[@azimmeme9994]

14:37 YOU’VE spoiled Boggle Woods now

[@woozin12345]

it's (spoiler) woods, not boggle woods

[@johnnymind4151]

0:05 My guess is that they translated スットンとりで "Sutton Toride" thinking that "su'" (the ' represents a glottal stop) and "ton" were onomatopoeias when it's actually a play on ストーン "sutо̄n" stone for sure and possibly also ドッスン "Dossun", Thwomp's Japanese name. 1:37 Could simply be accidental, but this reminds me of that Koopa coming out of the bush in Chapter 1 of Paper Mario 64. 4:16 This was built around the time the door was sealed and the reason why that was called Thousand-Year Door even back then is most certainly because of what Cobalt_Spirit mentioned - those who haven't played this game and don't mind spoilers go check it out. 8:04 I'd say exclusively attacking items - let's not forget that some can also inflict status ailments - progressively get worse as in the early game they can save you time while later they're just a safety net when you're low on both FP and Star Power... but of course in the case of the former you could and probably should just bring FP-healing items instead. 10:37 We know they've been waiting ever since the quiz in Paper Mario 64 since that one was the 64th while this one is the 65th and they share the same name in Japanese (except for part of it being in hiragana instead of katakana in 64), ドキドキクイズたいかい "Dokidoki Kuizu Taikai", Thump-thump Quiz Competition. 11:23 Would make sense if he had two faces with one rooting for you and the other mocking you. 12:34 Happy they fixed this, in the original English localization they didn't realize it's a reference and so translated キノコタウン "Kinoko Taun" as "Mushville" here... but it doesn't stop there, later in the game it's mentioned again and there they translated it literally and without any abbreviations as "Mushroom Town" so it wasn't even consistent!

[@kiwi7006]

I cracked up when I heard the Thwomp text sound. I can't wait to see what others are going to be like.

[@bobthebuilder9509]

*UR UR UR URRR URRRUHHUHHH* intensifies

[@Brown95P]

@9:49 > "That is a GREAT text sound." Nonsense, that is an *_AMAZING_* text sound; shame it'll be so rarely used though.

[@IOSARBX]

Skawo, Your videos always make me happy, so I subscribed!

[@theivoryguy2476]

I always loved stomping...

[@Laenthor]

That thwomp looks so weird. His "spikes" are just curved flat thingies. He looks more like a grey sunflower.

[@MatthewWeinberg-lr6kv]

Y’know, I know it’s not considered a huge surprise in this day and age, especially with quiz shows being a staple of Paper Mario, but imagine how hilarious the whole bait-and-switch must have been back in the day when people were playing this game for the first time. Like, you’re made to think you’re about to face this epic (in-universe, at least, I’m sure it would actually be very easy since it’s Chapter 1) battle against an ancient stone guardian…and then out of nowhere, he teleports you to a flashy stage and challenges you to a game show. And the cherry on top is the way Mario and Goombella rapidly look around like “WTF, why are we in a game show booth all of a sudden”, especially with the zoom-in on them.

[@justsomerandompixels]

another quiz failed! gosh this quiz must be really hard, every LP ive never finished has always got this one wrong. (its great!)

[@skyhawk9710]

Another weird thing about the Koopas, all the "bad" Koopas in this game and 64 are red because reasons? Maybe the red Koopas are evil because they TURN on Mario...? Other than that, I got nothing.

[@ThatGuy-tc6uv]

It's likely to differentiate them from the friendly Koopas. Same reason they wear shades.

[@awsmrs]

The description took me a sec to understand, but that is pretty funny gotta say

[@Trojan711]

4:16 I think the implication is that it was built around the same time as the Thousand Year Door was built, since being built a millenia afterwards would make these ruins very recent.

[@Skawo]

No. The TTYD lore already refers to the Thousand Year Door as the Thousand Year Door, which means the Thousand Year Door is a lot older than 1000 years old.

[@Cobalt_Spirit]

@@Skawo I think it's called the Thousand-Year Door because it remains sealed for 1000 years once you seal it, not because it was 1000 years old when given that name.

[@KoCat2867]

I just realized you missed 2 awkward-thumbs-ups for the counter when you get a question right at 11:42 and 12:14 (i don't blame you, the lighting makes it hard to see)

[@toastr1255]

That thwomp text noise is amazing

[@dana.d.4627]

0:39 You must have spent hours doing that

[@librus8680]

... I feel like a "Moopa" would be a sad, gloomy Koopa. Like their version of a Gloomba. (Though, Gloombas aren't really that moody...) A Koopa that just mopes around. Anyway, impromptu quiz shows! A... weirdly escalating mainstay of the series? I've *heard* again and again that it's referencing an older time of Japanese quiz shows that'd rope in strangers into their antics for potential Fun & Prizes (which got phased out due to some of the shows devolving into "assaulting strangers with stage props on live TV") but I can't really base that on anything other than the visual similarities. At least the Thwomp character's text bleeps being made from the iconic "ERGH" 64 sound is... pretty hilarious. Makes me wonder what other "classic" voices will sound like, like when we get to the Pianta and Boo NPCs. I'd hazard another guess - that the Bald Clefts are there to introduce you to another kind of "unstompable" enemy (outclasses your base attack with their high defense!) before you have enough badge experience, without punishing you with spikes? I could see that as a reflection of platformer mechanic design, where the first time a gimmick is introduced, you're allowed to fail without penalty. But I still feel like there might be a better way. At least it makes the penalty Cleft Horde a bit scarier - there's twice as many, and the spikes at least make for an initial scare that these are powered-up enemies. (... If you haven't played TTYD a hundred times like most of us here, anyway.) ... And I learnt just the other day, those Inn Coupons may have one beneficial use... if you're trying to get a certain secret involving the Inns, anyway. (It's not worth it, even if you have a whole inventory full of them, unless you're *super* desperate for coins...)

[@RoadrunnerWMC]

The inn secret is a net negative, even if you use every coupon and always sleep at the cheapest possible inns. Not worthwhile even *if* you're desperate for coins...

[@Djdog1208]

0:39 Nice Chris Pratt reference lol

[@tibby4503]

0:34 Unless the road is named after Rome.

[@uncreativeusername-sl9qf]

14:37 im pretty sure the tattles tell you the location you first encountered the enemy now and maybe future locations should you check the tattle entry again. This is a guess based on the fact that boos don”t only appear in the pit of 100 trials (where I first encountered them) and not their actual location in chapter 4

[@IvanezRus]

I always like Bristle's design, they look like creatures from World of Goo, shame they hardly appear other than Pit of 100 Trials

[@pablo5425]

12:02 one of the options in spanish (and i guess japanese by extension) is kooper i think they were a bit more creative with the references

[@azimmeme9994]

13:07 “More” implies we had any in the first place

[@Skawo]

Dry Dry Desert MKSC Rainbow Road

[@azimmeme9994]

@@Skawo Those are from Paper Mario? Wow

[@coopinatormusic6214]

8:10 IDK, I've been getting some mileage out of the attack items so far. Granted I'm only halfway through Chapter 2, but so far they've been more useful than not.

[@luigifan4585]

It's more a case of all of the damage items are inherently outclassed by Earth Tremor once you beat chapter 1 when it comes to a defense-piercing screen nuke

[@TNitrotoluene]

I’ll be a bit honest, the battle cuts not fading to the end and instead just immediately cutting to it is really uncanny but I mean I’ll live lmao Anyways I just love seeing all this stuff in nice hd! It’s so pretty!!!

[@Skawo]

I can start doing the fades if you'd prefer :v

[@TNitrotoluene]

@@Skawo Really? Would you actually do that?? :D

[@azimmeme9994]

9:49 Or or or or or

[@DudeTheTCGMonarch]

and in case you havent heard the word recently: Power Bounce is TRAAAAAAASH

[@Skawo]

I'ven't had that much trouble, to be honest, but I've only used it a couple of times.

[@goshator]

Nah, it's still really broken even if the fifth jump has a one frame window to get to

[@DudeTheTCGMonarch]

@@goshator is it really one frame?? That's crazy, bonetail almost had my hide cuz of that😮‍💨💀

[@azimmeme9994]

4:17 Wouldn’t that make it the Two Thousand Year Door then?

[@MichaelM-yx4lu]

Whoever came up with that name must have been shhwonkers

[@FNAFman1983]

It’s so triggering to watch him fail the quiz tho… I saw his GCN LP and it was JUST AS TRIGGERING THEN

[@yoshiwoollyworld]

I fail the quiz on purpose because i can kill the clefts with a pow block

[@bobthebuilder9509]

8:08 I find it hilarious that attack items aren’t good compared to badge-boosted builds (cough Danger/Peril strats cough) when IIRC they’re actually enough to get you through a large amount of the game (obviously if you start with a full inventory of the strong items) excluding the beefy HP bosses. It’s just that Danger Mario (or Goombella… or Yoshi) completely invalidates all other strats if you know what you’re doing because of how stupidly overpowered it is. EDIT: Was apparently wrong, nobody’s done an “items only” run. They do, however, make a “no action commands” run possible! 14:43 But… But I’ll need that POW Block for later! Trust me it’s worth missing out on those 20 star points! :(

[@Skawo]

Don't even need to go into Danger Mario to outpace item damage, tbh

[@DonotForget12103]

Your gameplay is more enjoyable to watch than Arlo’s.

[@Naloogi]

You missed some awkward thumbs ups when you get an answer correct in the quiz

[@Skawo]

You're right, I did.

[@Zelink108]

@@Skawo8:07 Don’t know what you are talking about I have used tons of attack items and they are very useful, especially thunder rage, snowstorm, shooting star and earthquake. Stop acting like you speak for everyone.

[@Zelink108]

@@Skawo9:00 You do realize that you can store your items in the shops to prevent yourself from going over capacity and having to toss items, right? You can just store that coupon, along with several recipe items to use for later.

[@Zelink108]

@@Skawo9:10 Okay, I will call you based for at least taking shots at Capitalism.

[@Skawo]

Expendable items are just not as effective a strategy as normal attacks that do the same if not more damage.

[@vanillabryce2965]

Talk

[@Zelink108]

Hitting the bushes isn’t that hard when you understand that Mario can now swing his hammer in all directions instead of just left and right. It’s also way quicker and less tedious then having to walk right up to them and pushing the a button. It’s not that hard to adjust to. What are you even talking about?

[@Skawo]

You still have to walk right up to them and push a button. The hammer's range is miniscule - I am RIGHT at the bush at 3:52 and it still doesn't reach. Then you factor in that pressing the button can fail, both because the hammer has range and you need to be facing the right direction. It is absolutely way more tedious this way. Note that I never said it was hard. I said it was more cumbersome than the GC version.

[@Zelink108]

@@Skawo Not for me, it was way faster with the hammer and more fun, sounds like you just tried hitting them from left or right, instead up and down or diagonal, which is easier. You might have to just get used to the new directions.

[@Skawo]

@@Zelink108 Bro I literally gave you a timestamped example of trying to hit it from below and it failing They should just have had both methods

[@Zelink108]

@@Skawo Then just walk right up to the bush till you are touching it, it’s not that hard and leads to muscle memory.

[@Draycos324]

@@Zelink108 He was touching it pretty unambiguously at the timestamp. The main difference between the old interact prompt and hammering them is that the former discretely indicates when you can search the bush whereas there’s no tell for the remaster here.

[@jacketofdiamonds]

4:59 90% of her own species in shambles. 5:59 No tutorial, for example. 6:24 ...honestly, if they wanted to make things more faithful to the later PM games, they...should've had the bushes fall over from hammer shockwaves, like they do in the later PM games. None of this halfway stuff. 9:23 Undeserved ORLY. It's kinda hard to tell from this angle, and Thwomps haven't even been mentioned in this game apart from "Shhwonk" sounding like a weird mispronounced version of their name. 12:37 Do you REALLY wish that? Imagine if you had to trek all the way there. The boat left, and there aren't any new ones available until chapter 5. Horrible thought. 13:08 ...MORE levels? Are you referring to a fanmade track, or did I miss a reference somewhere? 15:21 Maybe he couldn't get through the door? His pedestal WAS conspicuously empty.

[@Skawo]

Dry Dry Desert from Double Dash and Rainbow Road from Super Circuit are both Paper Mario themed.

[@jacketofdiamonds]

@@Skawo okay I can understand me missing the Super Circuit track but Dry Dry Desert I can only blame on me being far more familiar with Double Dash itself than PM64 lol

[@ShycoWar]

A little monetary reward for clearing the quiz would've been a nice addition, methinks-with a little extra thrown in if you do it flawlessy. Most people would probably still pick the EXP, but at least there'd be _some_ incentive to playing the minigame properly :V

[@Ian46434]

Last

[@IvanezRus]

Nope c:

[@Ian46434]

@@IvanezRus oh ok

[@Zelink108]

Technically you do have enough power to jump on bald clefts if you bought the power jump badge from the badge shop before starting chapter 1, but keep nitpicking in a Mario game, that’s what a lot of your commentary sounds like.

[@Skawo]

Expecting someone to buy Power Jump at this point would be weird enough in of itself to comment on. The game doesn't lead you in any way to buy that badge and thus designing a specific one-time-use enemy for that tiny subset of people would be a bizzare decision. I'm sorry if you take that for nitpicking, but looking deeply into the details is basically all you can do to fill over 100 episodes of gameplay with text commentary.

[@Meatball132]

I do not understand how you could possibly nitpick a random bit of commentary so hard and then complain that the _commentary_ was the one nitpicking.

[@Zelink108]

@@Meatball132 Did you really just claim that I am nitpicking for saying that someone else is nitpicking? Do you even read so much of Skawo’s commentary?

[@Zelink108]

@@Skawo I was just refuting your point about “jump not being powerful enough for bald clefts”, most people just use a pow block on them anyways, same for me, there is a reason that you find a pow block in the bushes before the bald clefts and bristles.

[@Meatball132]

@@Zelink108 ...? Yes, you're nitpicking? "The game tells you to go to the area that starts Chapter 1, but if you ignore that and instead go to the badge shop that was previously closed and the game never told you had now opened (or backtrack halfway through Chapter 1 for no reason to get there), and buy this one specific badge out of several options and equip it having not been given any indication that there was a reason to use THAT badge in particular versus any of the other badges, this message from your commentary is wrong!!!!!!!" That is the definition of nitpicking.