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Video game review: 'Super Mario Odyssey' is a masterpiece in every sense of the word
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New Donk City features dozens of skyscrapers to climb, as well as a moped for Mario to ride. - photo by Sam Bigelow
Its rare that a video game like "Super Mario Odyssey" comes around. While some game makers and studios excel in numerous respects, they very rarely reach the heights of perfection quite like Nintendo has. By expanding on gameplay themes from "Super Mario 64" and "Super Mario Sunshine," "Odyssey" delivers an experience that calls back to Marios rich 30-year history while showing players whats next for Nintendos mascot.

"Super Mario Odyssey" follows Mario as he adventures across multiple worlds to save Princess Peach from Bowser. This time around, King Koopa wants to force Peach into marriage and is traveling across the planets diverse kingdoms to steal a wedding, literally. Anyone who has played a Mario game in the past will be immediately familiar with the story.

While the save the princess angle of every Mario title has been beaten into the ground, "Odyssey" manages to flip it on its head toward the end of Marios adventure. Regardless, "Odyssey" smartly places less of a focus on a deep storyline in exchange for placing a shiny new gameplay hook front and center.

Most Mario games introduce a new central gameplay hook, and this time around Mario has the ability to possess countless objects and enemies across multiple kingdoms using the hat-shaped Cappy. With a flick of the Nintendo Switch controller, Mario can embody creatures and objects with powerful abilities, allowing for a ton of unique and creative challenges. Cant cross a bottomless pit? Take over a Bullet Bill and fly across the gap. Is a collectible out of reach? Stack up some Goombas to reach it. While the possibilities arent endless, theres certainly enough of them to make exploration a joy, rather than a chore.

Exploration is the core challenge of each and every locale in the game. Mario and Cappy are tasked with finding Power Moons in every world to fuel their ship, the Odyssey. Each kingdom features a short series of story objectives that usually end in a fantastic boss battle and will always give players enough Moons to advance to the next kingdom. However, players can jump off the beaten path at any time, and will be heavily rewarded for their trouble.

There are hundreds of Power Moons and world-specific purple coins (which can be used to purchase new outfits and mementos for Mario), and even a handful of retro 2D Mario stages that have to be seen to believed. While some collectibles are easy to stumble upon, many require a keen eye and total mastery of Marios moves to obtain.

Mario is an acrobatic master, and controls like a dream. Directing Mario through challenging platforming levels has never felt better, and the sheer number of movement options helps players adapt on the fly to any situation. Mario can run, jump, dive, stomp, spin and wall kick to victory, and each of these commands can be executed in sequence to pull off some truly impressive feats.

Nintendo recommends playing with the Nintendo Switch Joy Cons separated to take advantage of the games optional motion controls, but the game feels just as great while playing in handheld mode or with a Pro controller. "Super Mario Odyssey" also allows for a two-player setup. Each player can hold a joy-con sideways, and can control either Mario or Cappy. This play style is great for anyone who might not be experienced enough to play the game well, like a young child. Under player control, Cappy is free from pitfalls, and can literally fly across the screen to defeat enemies and collect coins.

As great as the hat mechanic is, "Super Mario Odyssey" excels thanks to Marios responsiveness, giving players the opportunity to truly explore the meticulously crafted kingdoms.

Each world in "Odyssey" is a fully realized, unique environment with its own gameplay quirks. The best part about the kingdoms is their sheer variety, from the prehistoric Cascade Kingdom to the realistic Metro Kingdom. Each world is an amazing playground and they often feel like miniature games in their own right. Theres always something to see and do in the kingdoms, and the countless Moons, coins and challenges will entertain players across their 15-hour adventure.

Even though Marios adventure can be completed quickly, saving Princess Peach is only the beginning. After beating the game, players are given more Power Moons and challenges to find in each kingdom. For players who can't find enough moons to progress to the special post-game The amount of content is staggering and allows Nintendo to pack some truly difficult platforming challenges into the game for those who want it. The best part about "Super Mario Odyssey" is its inclusiveness: Theres something for everyone, and the game is as challenging as you want it to be.

"Super Mario Odyssey" is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. Nintendo has created a truly amazing experience, and one that pays homage to the Italian plumber while giving players a fresh, comfortable experience. If you love video games, you owe it to yourself to try it out. Everything, from the gameplay to the musical themes, is a delight to experience and will continue to impress for years to come.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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