Mario & Luigi: Dream Team is the fourth installment in the Mario & Luigi franchise, and adopts some of the basic elements from those games. Mario and Luigi are assigned to different buttons while exploring, which they can use to jump and perform other abilities they will acquire during the game. New to the game are two distinct worlds, the Real World and the Dream World.
Dream World
At certain points and spots during the game, Mario will be able to enter Luigi's dream. Here, Mario will move in a 2D environment, with Dreamy Luigi as his companion. While in the dream world, Starlow can pull on Luigi's facial features to affect various aspects of the dream world, such as spinning platforms. The basic functions, such as abilities, are the same in the dream world.
Out of Battle Techniques
As in previous games, Mario and Luigi can learn various techniques that allow them to get to out of reach areas. At the beginning of the game, the only technique they have is Jump, with a button designated for Mario and another for Luigi. Pressing the right shoulder button (R) will switch to readily available techniques, when they have been learned. In the Dream World, both characters have Jump, while only Mario can use Hammer and Luigi will have his own unique technique.
Battle System
The battle system in the game is similar to previous entries, although there are some slight differences between the Real World and Dream World. Players will find enemies while they are exploring the maps and should a player run into them, a battle will ensue. If the player uses a technique to gain an advantage over the enemy, then they will get a free hit, but this goes both ways, as the enemy will get a free turn if they hit Luigi or Mario from behind (you will be able to dodge).
In both worlds, you can get extra damage by timing the correct button during an attack. Likewise, the player will be able to mitigate or avoid damage from enemies' attacks by timing button presses. Both types of special attacks, Bros. Attacks and Luiginary Attacks, function in a similar manner. The battle is over when either the enemies are defeated or when both Mario and Luigi's HP reach zero. If that happens, the player will be able to retry the battle from the beginning.
