Princess Peach is often included. She can add a romantic element to the story, like if Bowser is still trying to win her over or if she has some role in mediating between Mario and Bowser. Another popular character is Luigi. He can be Mario's sidekick as usual, or he could have his own sub - plot where he tries to outdo Mario in dealing with Bowser.
Well, it completely flips it. Usually, Mario is the one who overcomes Bowser. But here, with Bowser killing Mario, it makes Bowser seem more menacing and powerful than ever. It also takes away the hope that the Mario universe usually has, as Mario is the hero who saves the day.
Overall, it's good. It has interesting levels, cool power-ups, and lots of challenges to keep you entertained. The graphics and music are also quite nice.
One possible motive could be power. Bowser has always been after power and ruling the Mushroom Kingdom. Maybe in this fanfic, Mario was getting too much influence or was about to discover something that could undermine Bowser's power, so he decided to kill him.
The story mainly focuses on Bowser's perspective in a dark and often comical adventure. Bowser has his own set of challenges and goals which are different from the typical Mario story. He might be trying to regain his power or take over the Mushroom Kingdom in his own unique way. There are also various unique characters and enemies that he encounters along the way.
Well, in the 'Mario and Luigi - Bowser's Inside Story', the graphics are charming and fit the Mario universe well. EGM might have praised the story which is full of twists and turns. The game also has a great deal of humor, like the interactions between Mario, Luigi and Bowser. This all could be points in EGM's review.
The length of Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story differs for everyone. But a typical playthrough could last approximately 25 hours, give or take a few depending on your gaming skills and how thorough you are.
To beat it, focus on level exploration to find hidden items and secrets. Learn the attack patterns of enemies and bosses. Teamwork between Mario and Luigi is crucial too.