Ajinryu
CAG Veteran
Title: Starfox Assault
Developer: Namco
Genre: Shooter
Platforms: Gamecube
Players: 1-4
For better or for worse?
Nintendo are famous for the likes of Zelda, Mario, F-Zero, and Donkey King, but Nintendo also worked on other series that never got as much attention as the other more popular franchises. Back in 1993 Nintendo gave the public the chance to play Starwing on the SNES. It was quite an amazing achievement during an era of 16-bit gameplay. Boasting a fully 3D engine that was later used for a few other games. Then 4 years later (1997) Nintendo brought back the series with Lylat Wars (Starfox 64) on the N64. It was a great shooter, full of great additions, touches, and ideas, including 3D rumble effect, and characters that actually talked and interacted with each other, as well as allowing the player to change the path and story of the game. It really built on the structure of the previous game and improved it in many ways. Nintendo could do no wrong; they were on a roll with the Starfox license....
That is until Nintendo handed the license over to Rareware to create Starfox Adventures for the gamecube. The game strayed too far from the original concept, it almost ditched any form of flying and kept you on the ground for the majority of the game, it played in the vain of Zelda, except it lacked the intuitive and unique gameplay that all good games should have, it came off as a bland Zelda clone, that really only had pretty graphics going for it. It was a disappointment to say the least, and really tarnished Starfox's reputation of being a better than average game series. It seemed that being occupied with developing Mario Sunshine, and Zelda: The Wind Waker, made Nintendo forget about Starfox. Handing games over to another developer really doesn't seem like the best thing to do. It has worked on occasions (Most noticeable success is Capcom with the Gameboy Zelda games) but in Starfox's case it just didn't work out...
Hot Vixen/Ugly Dog
Starfox Assault really gives out a nice first impression, the opening FMV is very nicely done, the character models are well animated, the voice acting sounds much improved (Well, better than SFA, Blech!) and the old trademark intro scene from Starfox 64 is slipped in near the end of the FMV for any Starfox veterans, which is a really nice touch, it brings back memories of what made the series great, presentation wise of course. The in game graphics aren't bad either; you can see there is a major improvement straight away when you start the first mission. The game appears to be able to juggle a lot more things around on screen, with laser fire in the background, more enemies at once, and more fluid animation. It looks very nice and yet again, gives the player a great first impression. It all runs at a steady 60FPS too. The looks aren't the only thing that have improved either. Manoeuvring your craft is a lot easier and it feels a lot faster and smoother too. Namco did a great job with SF Assaults flight controls, it feels very similar to it's N64 brother, with some minor and major tweaks here and there, they were needed for Assault as the action is a lot faster with packs of enemies coming at you thick and fast and various pieces of scenery too. The pace of the game and the controls compliment each other perfectly and these sections are a joy to play. Namco have also changed the scoring system, for every pack of enemies that is successfully eliminated, you are awarded with 10 hit points. In SF64 the player had to destroy all enemies with one shot to get bonus points. Starfox Assault is much more generous though and it gives the player more scope for getting higher scores. It's possible to get +1000 hits in each level using the new scoring system, because playing the game on a higher difficulty level can either double, or triple your score depending on the difficulty you can select. It's a great system that works really well. Hopefully this is kept in later instalments.
It's when the game decides to throws you out of your Arwing and onto the ground that things take a turn for the worst. It all looks really basic, flat textures, dull scenery, stale animation, and far from satisfactory character design. Again, it all runs at a good pace, but the only reason why it runs at a good pace is because there isn't much pushing the gamecubes processor in the first place. It's functional, nothing more, nothing less. Unlike the flying sections, the on foot sections aren't on a set path, they're 3D arenas, and sizable at that, another reason why the graphics had to be sacrificed. These sections consist of only two things, Destroying numerous ground and sky troops, and destroying key enemies/structures. It's not varied at all, and every mission just feels the same except with different scenery. In contrast to the flying sections it feels rushed, both graphically and gameplay wise. The controls don't really compliment these sections well either. The game opts for single analogue control, instead of using two control sticks to control your movement. Holding R is used to aim, and strafing is implemented by holding down the L trigger slightly and using the control stick in unison. This is really awkward as the L trigger is pressure sensitive and if you press it all the way down by accident it usually results in you pulling off a barrel roll instead. The c stick is used to scroll through your inventory instead, although it works well, it just doesn't feel right when Namco could've easily assigned the function to Z when your not near a boardable vehicle, leaving the C stick open to control aiming and strafing, but instead it gives you an awkward layout that takes a while to get into, and even after you get the hang of it, it never feels 100% accurate at all. Thankfully the game has auto aim which helps even things out a little, but when it comes to targeting enemies that are out of view it just feels awkward as you have to stay on the spot to look up and fire leaving you prone to enemy fire. But as with most games you can adjust to it and it becomes a tad more manageable. But still, playing these sections makes you wonder what Namco were doing with Starfox Assault over the 2 years they had to develop it. The gameplay is really hit and miss. The flying sections are awesome, but the on foot sections just feel average in comparison.
The audio is quite impressive, the music is fully orchestrated and it really sounds good, and suits the large-scale space fights to a tee. The sound effects and voice action still sound sub par. The voice acting is still quite stiff, even though it is an improvement, and sound affects feel bland and quite quiet when compared to the games musical score.
Multiplayer carries over the problems from the single player game, but just like the SP you can adapt and if you and your Friend(s) get used to how it plays you can have some pretty fun matches. The game isn't long either, with only ten missions it doesn't last long and you can complete it within a matter of hours after purchasing it. Secrets are unlockable too including Xevious, and multiplayer maps, characters, and ships. This does add some lifespan to the game but you really have to like the game in order to play it long enough to find everything. Starfox Assault is a game that you'd do well to buy cheap, it's short, has numerous faults, but makes up for it with really enjoyable flying sections. You have to be pretty forgiving and persistent to get much out of Starfox Assault. But if you find it at a good price you may find it to be a pretty solid title that’s great in short blasts. Much like 1080 Avalanche.
Graphics: 7.8
The flying sections look very nice, it's all looks smooth, throws a lot of action onto the screen, runs at a good frame rate, and really looks sharp and clear, the on foot sections look average at best with only one level (Sauria) looking more than functional. Which lets the side down badly.
Sound: 8.0
Better voice acting, and a really nice orchestral score make up for the tinny sound effects. Improves over past games, but there is still room for improvement.
Lifespan: 8.0
Always room for improvement, aiming for higher scores and ranks is optional too, but it's essential if you want too unlock more secrets. It makes up for the games initial length.
Gameplay: 7.7
A mix of good and bad, but it's far from terrible. You have to adjust and work round the on foot sections but doing so makes the experience a lot more enjoyable when playing through the game more than once.
Score: 7.8
This is a title that improves over time. You may tire of it quickly if your not a patient gamer, so don't purchase the title thinking that it'll be as well polished as Starfox 64, because it isn't. For Starfox fans, and very forgiving gamers only.
The flying sections look very nice, it's all looks smooth, throws a lot of action onto the screen, runs at a good frame rate, and really looks sharp and clear, the on foot sections look average at best with only one level (Sauria) looking more than functional. Which lets the side down badly.
Sound: 8.0
Better voice acting, and a really nice orchestral score make up for the tinny sound effects. Improves over past games, but there is still room for improvement.
Lifespan: 8.0
Always room for improvement, aiming for higher scores and ranks is optional too, but it's essential if you want too unlock more secrets. It makes up for the games initial length.
Gameplay: 7.7
A mix of good and bad, but it's far from terrible. You have to adjust and work round the on foot sections but doing so makes the experience a lot more enjoyable when playing through the game more than once.
Score: 7.8
This is a title that improves over time. You may tire of it quickly if your not a patient gamer, so don't purchase the title thinking that it'll be as well polished as Starfox 64, because it isn't. For Starfox fans, and very forgiving gamers only.
