Paper Mario: The Unanswerable Question

Paper Mario: The Unanswerable Question is the seventh entry in the Paper Mario series. In terms of gameplay, it returns to the series' RPG roots with classic turn-based battles, level ups, badges, and more - but with new twists and additions. The plot revolves around an ancient legend - it's said that 2000 years ago, the people of the prosperous Kingdom of Wisdom amassed so much knowledge that their elite scholars could answer any question in the world. But one fateful day, a mysterious traveler challenged their King by asking a question which they struggled to answer. It's said that in their pursuit of finding an answer, the forbidden knowledge they obtained was so great that it caused schisms within the Kingdom which eventually led it to its destruction. And just as the kingdom was lost to time, the question was forgotten as well - along with its answer. Generations of storytellers cautioned against finding that forbidden question - or else they would meet the same fate as the Kingdom of Wisdom. For ages, many believed this story was merely an allegory, and they dismissed the idea that a mere question could destroy an entire kingdom. But that belief may itself be called into question...
== Plot ==
Princess Peach receives an invitation for a special event at her alma mater, Thinkmore University - the most prestigious university in the world. She invites Mario to accompany her to the event, because she anticipates that something fishy might be going on - the event revolves around Dr. Stenoceros, a controversial academic figure and former Thinkmore professor who claims to have uncovered a huge revelation about the ancient Kingdom of Wisdom. Dr. Stenoceros was one of Peach's professors when she attended, and she never trusted him.
Shortly after Mario and Peach depart, Bowser appears at Peach's Castle to kidnap her along with Kammy Koopa, but he learns that she just left for the event at Thinkmore University. Somehow, he becomes convinced that Peach isn't interested in him because he's not well-educated enough - in his youth, he went to school for Architecture, but dropped out when his professors insisted that giant pools of lava were not appropriate design elements. So, Bowser resolves to attend Thinkmore University and obtain a degree. Later, Kammy Koopa uses some sort of magical trick to get Bowser admitted to the school.
== Characters ==
=== Major Cast: ===
Mario - our hero, the main character, and a man who needs no introduction. Accompanies Peach to Thinkmore University and becomes embroiled in an ancient mystery...
Princess Peach - The princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, who graduated with honors from Thinkmore Academy - an academic performance expected of a princess.
Dr. Stenoceros - the main antagonist of the game. He resembles both a rhinoceros and a dragonfruit. He wants to draw upon the knowledge of the Kingdom of Wisdom to become all powerful.
Bowser - After Kammy Koopa somehow gets him admitted, he is occasionally seen on the campus. He also joins the Music Club as a pianist.
President of Thinkmore University - a Clubba maybe?
Professor Merlon - This game's version of Merlon is a professor at Thinkmore University and a friend of Peach. The game clarifies that he is distinct from the other Merlons in the franchise.
Koopa Partner
Pokey Partner
=== Guest Professors: ===
Throughout the story, guest professors occasionally visit the school on invitation to give guest lectures. These serve as cameo appearances for various characters from the Mario world.
Professor Frankly - Attends with Goombella
Professor Kolorado - Attends with Kooper
Professor E. Gadd
Professor Russ T.
== Gameplay ==
Paper Mario TUQ features RPG-style gameplay similar to the first two Paper Mario games, but with several changes and additions. Instead of battles consisting of Mario and a partner, players now control a party of up to 3 characters, with Mario always leading the party. Instead of having a more secondary role, characters other than Mario are treated as equal party members, making the combat system resemble more classic JRPGs somewhat more than previous titles. Every party member now levels up separately and has their own independent pools of FP and BP in addition to having their own HP as in Thousand Year Door.
In battle, by default, Mario will attack first, then the party member to his left, and then the final party member. However, the player can use the L and R buttons to switch between characters in order to act in whatever order they want.
The Badge system returns, but has been reworked. There are character-specific badges, which can only be equipped by the particular character they're designed for, and are color-coded to make it easy to tell who they're for - for instance, all of Mario's badges feature a red background. In addition, there are general badges, which can be equipped by anyone - these have a gray background. Many badges that previously had variants for both Mario and his partner now return as gray badges which the player can choose to equip on any party member.
== Character Info ==
=== Mario: ===
==== Basic Attacks: ====
* Jump: POW (then POW) [any opponent not on ceiling]
* Hammer: POW (*2) [first grounded opponent]
==== Gear Upgrades: ====
* Super Boots: POW +1 for Jump attacks
* Ultra Boots: POW +2 for Jump attacks
* Super Hammer: POW +1 for Hammer attacks
* Ultra Hammer: POW +2 for Hammer attacks
=== Peach: ===
==== Basic Attacks: ====
* Accessory: POW (*2) [first grounded opponent]
* Slap: POW (then POW) [first grounded opponent, ignore Defense]
==== Gear Upgrades: ====
* Frying Pan: POW +1 for Accessory attacks
* Golf Club: POW +2 for Accessory attacks
* Slap Glove: POW +1 for Slap attacks
* War Fan: POW +2 for Slap attacks
=== Koopa Partner: ===
==== Basic Attacks: ====
* Shell: POW (*2) [first grounded opponent, protects against Spike, Fire, Ice]
* Kick: POW (+1) [first grounded opponent]
==== Gear Upgrades: ====
* Silver Shell: POW +1 for Shell attacks
* Golden Shell: POW +2 for Shell attacks
* Hard Heels: POW+1 for Kick attacks
* Spiked Heels: POW +3 for Kick attacks
=== Pokey Partner: ===
==== Basic Attacks: ====
* Headbutt: POW (*2) [first grounded opponent]
* Lob: POW (then POW on next target) [any opponent]
==== Gear Upgrades: ====
* Helmet: POW +1 for Headbutt attacks
* Steel Helmet: POW +2 for Headbutt attacks
* Tough Thorn: POW +1 for Lob attacks
* Gnarled Thorn: POW +2 for Lob attacks
== Badges ==
=== Red Badges - Mario ===
Power Jump - 1 BP - Lets Mario use Power Jump for 2 FP, which deals POW+1 (then POW+1)
Power Bounce - 3 BP - Lets Mario use Power Bounce for 4 FP, which hits four times if the action command is successful and deals POW (then POW-1 then POW-2 then POW-3)
=== Pink Badges - Peach ===
Peachy Blessing - 3 BP - Lets Peach use Peachy Blessing for 3 FP, which restores 3 HP to another ally.
Flip Slap - 2 BP - Lets Peach use Flip Slap for 2 FP, which deals POW (*2) + 1 damage, ignores defense, and flips over enemies such as Koopas, Buzzy Beetles, etc
Warp-Slap - 5 BP - Slap techniques can target any grounded opponent
=== Gold Badges - Koopa Partner ===
Curved Shot - 1 BP - Lets the Koopa Partner use Curved Shot for 1 FP, which hits any grounded enemy for (POW*2)
Power Shell - 2 BP - Lets the Koopa Partner use Power Shell for 2 FP, hitting all grounded enemies for (POW*2 - 1)
Super Shell - 4 BP - Lets the Koopa Partner use Super Shell for 4 FP, hitting all grounded enemies for (POW*2 + 1)
Kick Flower - 2 BP - Dealing damage with a Kick move restores 1 FP.
Knockback Kick - 2 BP - Lets the Koopa Partner use Knockback Kick, which kicks the first grounded enemy into the second grounded enemy for POW (+1) then POW-1 (+1) on next grounded enemy.
Launch Shot - 1 BP - Lets the Koopa Partner use Knockback Shot for 3 FP, which hits the front-most grounded enemy, deals POW*2 (+1) damage, and knocks them to the back-most position
=== Green Badges - Pokey Partner ===
Thorn Blessing - 2 BP - Lets the Pokey Partner use Thorn Blessing for 2 FP, which grants another party member 2 Thorns (deals 2 damage to any attacker who makes contact)
=== Gray Badges - Anyone ===
HP Plus - 3 BP - Max HP +5
FP Plus - 3 BP - Max FP +5
Spike Shield - 3 BP - The wearer's contact moves will succeed against spiky opponents
Power Rush - 3 BP - When in Danger, the wearer will have +2 POW. Enemies will be more likely than usual to target the wearer.
Extreme Anxiety - 2 BP - The wearer will now fall into Danger when at or below 10 HP instead of 5 HP, and fall into Peril when at or below 2 HP instead of 1 HP. However, while in Danger or Peril, their POW will be lowered by 1.
Danger Heart - 2 BP - The wearer recovers 1 HP per turn when in Danger.
Danger Flower - 2 BP - The wearer recovers 1 FP per turn when in Danger.
HP Drain - 4 BP - For every 5 damage dealt during a single turn, the user recovers 1 HP.
FP Drain - 4 BP - For every 5 damage dealt during a single turn, the user recovers 1 FP.
Strong Start - 3 BP - The wearer has +1 POW on the first turn of combat (does not apply to First Strikes)
Heart Pass - 2 BP - Lets the wearer use Heart Pass once per turn to lose 1 HP but heal an ally for 1 HP; this does not count as a turn, so you can act again after using Heart Pass.
Flower Pass - 2 BP - Lets the wearer use Flower Pass once per turn to lose 1 FP but heal an ally for 1 FP; this does not count as a turn, so you can act again after using Flower Pass.
Life Battery - 1 BP - The wearer will lose 1 HP per turn but gain 1 FP per turn.
Steadfast - 2 BP - The wearer cannot receive more than half of their max HP worth of damage in a given turn.