| | by SwimmerBoy, February 27, 2005 |
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I was hardly impressed by this anticpiated sequel. Star Fox: Assault, the 2005 GameCube title of the popular space shooter franchise by Nintendo, has been handed over to Namco for production. I must say, I'm disappointed in this game. Let's take a look at why Star Fox: Assault doesn't quite meet the standards and expectations we've come to expect from the series.
Star Fox: Assault takes place one year after Star Fox Adventures. The Star Fox team has gotten word that Andrew Oikonny has abanndoned Star Wolf and has taken over his evil uncle Andross' army to use it against the Cornerian army. Star Fox then heads towards deep space to defeat Andrew, but encounters an evil alien species with the ability to take control of machines and people.
The first mistake of this game is Namco. I have never played a Namco game that I have liked. With the exception of Pac-Man, I think Namco half-asses their games, and the fact that Nintendo would hand over the Star Fox license to Namco, completely baffles me. I feel almost cheated to have recieved little from this game. I was disappointed in the former game Star Fox Adventures, which was released for the GameCube in 2002, because it didn't offer the vast space shooting that I really enjoyed about the series. Granted, the graphics were amazing and the game itself was great, but it didn't deserve the Star Fox title. Compared to Star Fox Adventures, Star Fox: Assault is a HUGE step DOWN in terms of polish and gameplay. The graphics look like they are from a beta testing version of the game, and look worse than, dare I say, the N64 classic. I must say, I was and still am much more impressed by the graphics and execution of Star Fox 64 than I am of this game. I don't think Namco put their best efforts as they could have in this game, especially considering how long the game was in production.
The game seems aimless. It doesn't give you a clear goal. You are unsure of what exactly you are trying to do as well. It almost seems like as you enter each level, the production team at Namco thought, "oh, lets make them do this in this level!" Unlike previous Star Fox titles, Assault feels underdeveloped. It just doesn't have that Star Fox feel.
The controls have been changed completely around, and take a while to get used to (and don't bother going into 'Training' mode... there is none). The reason I bought this game was because I wanted that classic space-shooting action I love from Star Fox and Star Fox 64 (and only got a taste of in Star Fox Adventures). Star Fox: Assault features the dog fights that we have all come to know and love, but the planes, especially in all-range mode don't seem to move as well as they did in Star Fox 64. The overall physics of the game are unrealistic, and don't exceed any previous Star Fox game at all.. in fact, they are the wrost of the series.
While on your adventure, your quest to save the Lylat System from evil aliens, is sprinkled with all sorts of quests... sometimes you are runing on foot with your hand blaster, others you are operating the Land Master tank. The all-range modes seems very limited, and all-too confusing to travel on by foot. Poor level design makes you feel like you are in a prison.
The most disorienting thing in the entire game is how the main Single Player mode is presented. Its a linear campaign mode, where your missions are given to you, without choice. Unlike Star Fox 64, where you could choose which planet to go to next, depending on your statistics in the previous level, Star Fox: Assault hands you your missions and you must obey them in order to progress. It honestly feels that we are jumping everywhere in the universe in this game, without any choice in it.
My final word is this: rent the game and get your Star Fox fix fast, but don't buy it. Namco, you need to leave. Nintendo, get your rear in gear and take back the franchise. No one makes the game like you do. Star Fox: Assault introduces little originality, little ingenuity. Fans of the series may enjoy it... but also be prepared to be disappointed. I give this game a 6 because it feels like its a step in the wrong direction with the series. |
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