StarFox Command - IGN full review and GoNintendo review of WiFi gameplay

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IGN

Star Fox Command might offer a new and different experience, but along with some key gameplay and presentation elements the feel of the classic SNES game is intact. The stylus controls might still need some work but the core idea is sound, with accuracy and precision that previous Star Fox games - and air combat titles in general - just never offered before.
It's at the very least a great start to the franchise. Bump up the difficulty, add some variety to the missions, bring back the forced-scrolling on-rails levels and the wingman-in-danger elements in a sequel and you'll have yourself the ultimate Star Fox adventure.
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GoNintendo

I played wi-fi battles for about a two hour period, and not once got disconnected from a game. I also never experienced any slowdown from the action on screen. The game always stayed hectic, but with a smooth frame rate. The entire experience was great, and one that StarFox fans are definitely going to love. I do have to mention one thing…something I think is very important. I am not a huge online gamer. I pick up a few games here and there for some online fun, but I never really stick with it. I am much more of a single player person. Having said that, StarFox Command’s wi-fi is really sucking me in.
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Great to hear. I'm a very similar gamer to the GoNintendo reviewer, and I was somewhat on the fence about this one. Preordered it anyway, but now I'm happier for doing so.
 
[quote name='jkam']Sounds good. Crossing my fingers that my overstock pre-order ships.[/QUOTE]


You should be good to go. My orders shipped out.
 
Here are the 3 Metacritic scores so far:

95 Nintendo Power
Quotation forthcoming. [Oct 2006]

82 GameBrink
A great looking, fast paced action shooter if not for the strategy element in between but, in my opinion its always good to have something new and the maps offer a little challenge when you first play them. [JPN Import]

75 GameSpot
The Star Fox fighter squadron returns in this solid flight combat game, which distinguishes itself with its strategic elements and well-designed touch-screen controls.
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IGN gives it an 80 (in the Metacritic system).

Overall, looks good. Like Botticus, I already had it preordered (hopefully GR will come through!). Will definitely pick up that preorder now after these reviews!

Not that it is the most unbiased source out there, but could someone post the highlights of that NP review? I just signed up for another 3 month mini-sub but I'm not sure I'll get this issue.
 
I'm surprised to see it get an 8 on IGN, the game was looking terrible and after the crapfest that was starfox assault I wasn't expecting much. I won't be picking this one up though as Nintendo still owes me 8 bucks that I paid to rent starfox assault.
 
[quote name='sevdustflyer']I'm surprised to see it get an 8 on IGN, the game was looking terrible and after the crapfest that was starfox assault I wasn't expecting much. I won't be picking this one up though as Nintendo still owes me 8 bucks that I paid to rent starfox assault.[/QUOTE]

Damn, I liked Star Fox Assault, but it gets nothing but hate on CAG. It is one of the few games I've completed the last year or two. Well, it being a fairly short game, that wasn't too hard, but still... My son still plays it once a month or so (and we got it when it first came out).

I'm still iffy on the touch screen control aspect of Command, but we'll see. As much as I love the DS, unless it is for strategy games or RPG inventory/menu control, I'm not too big on stylus controls. (Games like Kirby Canvas Curse are different as you aren't steering your char using the stylus).
 
I'm surprised to see it get an 8 on IGN, the game was looking terrible and after the crapfest that was starfox assault I wasn't expecting much. I won't be picking this one up though as Nintendo still owes me 8 bucks that I paid to rent starfox assault.
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The review said it was a throwback to Starfox/Starfox 64, so no footsie missions. Your characters are always in their ships.

I'm iffy on the stylus control but I have a major weakness for the original SNES Starfox so if I see a good deal, I'm going to pick it up.
 
I'm actually a little dissapointed in these reviews. 8.0 is alright, but a bit on the low side for IGN and Gamespot only gave it a 7.5. It looks adequate enough and kinda fun, but I'm more into single-player gaming, and it seems like the word is that SFC's single-player is decent, but a bit underwhelming. I liked Metroid Hunters alright, but even that was dissapointing for a Metroid game and Star Fox as a series has never been as good as Metroid. Maybe I just think the fully 3D/stylus controls are biting off a bit more than they can chew.
 
Overall, the single player experience can be put on the "easy" side. It's not hard to properly remove enemies in the strategy portions, and after a bit of practice with the controls, understanding how enemies behave, and focusing on collecting power-ups, you'll rarely find yourself dying in a level. And even if you do happen to get taken out, there are plenty of opportunities for extra lives - we've never run out. Ever.

The single player mode can also get just a little repetitive in places because of its easy difficulty. A "chase the missile" mission constantly pops up in each mission that requires players to fly through rings in order to boost and catch up to a missile flying towards the Great Fox ship. These missions are easy to complete almost to the point of not being necessary, and yet players are constantly required to play through them.
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Sorry, but I'm definitely passing. No Wi-Fi here, so I was hoping for somewhat of a single player challenge, and again Nintendo fails to deliver and gives me an easy game. It might be fun for the multiplayer, but as I said before I have no Wi-Fi, so I guess I'll wait for the game to clearance out somewhere before I pick it up.

Quite a shame, as I really wanted to pick it up... oh well, I've got enough to play. I'm quite of sick of Nintendo dumbing down all their games, but apparently I'm the only one.
 
To be honest, I was really pumped to get this, but the more I read about it, the more cooled on it I become. Ever since I got the DS I just wanted a remake/sequel/whatever to Star Fox (64) on the DS. The all range mode was kinda fun in the N64 game, but only as an every-once-in-a-while thing. I just want a SF rail shooter, but I guess I'll have to wait (forever?).
 
I think I will wait for a deal as well. I looks ok. Not great. Something about flying with the touch screen seems like it would be lame. I want to hear what other say first. Back to Trauma Center.....
 
'Not crazy-excited, but i'll still buy it, most likely. .... the Wi-fi feature seems cool.

I was screwing around in Adobe Illustrator a few nights ago...and did this:

happy_starfox_day.jpg


Hahahaha....this is what games would look like if a girl designed them:
"Starfox: Hello Kitty Battle Galaxy Wars"

yay,
-V
 
[quote name='vgamergirl']'Not crazy-excited, but i'll still buy it, most likely. .... the Wi-fi feature seems cool.

I was screwing around in Adobe Illustrator a few nights ago...and did this:

happy_starfox_day.jpg


Hahahaha....this is what games would look like if a girl designed them:
"Starfox: Hello Kitty Battle Galaxy Wars"

yay,
-V[/QUOTE]

Pretty good, Tiramisu - :lol:.
Let me know if you get Star Fox, it's been a while since I've done anything via WiFi on the DS. I finally played AC for the first time in 3 months but I was just cleaning up my town :whistle2:(.
 
too much coming out at once, this one will fall through the cracks, wait for a circuit city $10 buy in april
 
Holy crap, I hope you do graphic work for a living. Too good to be just a hobby.

[quote name='vgamergirl']'Not crazy-excited, but i'll still buy it, most likely. .... the Wi-fi feature seems cool.

I was screwing around in Adobe Illustrator a few nights ago...and did this:

happy_starfox_day.jpg


Hahahaha....this is what games would look like if a girl designed them:
"Starfox: Hello Kitty Battle Galaxy Wars"

yay,
-V[/quote]
 
Anyone pick this up today? I'm curious to hear from other CAGs how it is, and if it's something I should look into getting as someone who just wants some classic starfox action, not being a fan of turn-based games or RTS games.
 
I just got the game and it is awesome! The controls are fine, though they will take a while to get used to them. Online is fun as hell, and I am pleased with my purchase. :)
 
[quote name='Blind the Thief']No rails = FAIL.[/QUOTE]
Amen. I just read 1UP's review of it. I'm out on this one. Bummer, too. I was looking forward to it.
 
Well, 8 hours later, I eat my own words. (from just a post above even!)

Had a $20 Mastercard Giftcard, and was at Walmart and picked it up. I've only played through the training and the first mission, but I'm really digging it. I had forgotten about SF64's multiplayer which we played TO DEATH in high school. This has a feel of being all that, which should make for some fun wifi matches.
 
[quote name='daroga']Well, 8 hours later, I eat my own words. (from just a post above even!)

Had a $20 Mastercard Giftcard, and was at Walmart and picked it up. I've only played through the training and the first mission, but I'm really digging it. I had forgotten about SF64's multiplayer which we played TO DEATH in high school. This has a feel of being all that, which should make for some fun wifi matches.[/QUOTE]

I always knew you were a sellout, Daroga.

I'm sure I'll play it some day...strangely, it's almost a relief to have a game come along that I can afford to pass up for awhile.
 
I have it also, I enjoy it. I have only done the training part , but if anyone wants to play online let me know.
 
Ahh. Starfox Multiplayer.

When my friend invented the now notorious Mad Hopper, a proceeded to crash his ship as quickly as he could before anyone could kill him.

For as stupid and silly and insignificant as that sort of thing is/was, we were rolling on the ground in laughter.
 
[quote name='Strell']Ahh. Starfox Multiplayer.

When my friend invented the now notorious Mad Hopper, a proceeded to crash his ship as quickly as he could before anyone could kill him.

For as stupid and silly and insignificant as that sort of thing is/was, we were rolling on the ground in laughter.[/QUOTE]

That was the case with most multiplayer games on N64...you eventually started doing stupid crap that ended up be the funniest thing you'd ever seen. Mmm, good times. :)
 
Got through a few missions this afternoon. I don't think it'll stay in my permeanent library like Star Fox 64, or other DS games, but it's still a good ride, and can get intense. Defintely worth a playthrough, though it might pop up on my trade list when I'm done, we'll see.

In the end, on Star Fox Command:
Nintendo - 1
daroga - 0
 
I just got a $25 gift card for best Buy and this would be nice for $5...But I don't know what other DS games are coming out >_< Can someone link me somewhere that says all the DS games coming out soon? I'd be very thankful
 
[quote name='GrimNecroWizard']I just got a $25 gift card for best Buy and this would be nice for $5...But I don't know what other DS games are coming out >_< Can someone link me somewhere that says all the DS games coming out soon? I'd be very thankful[/QUOTE]

Or, keeping it within CAG :lol:, check out this thread:

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106030

Gives you a little pricing info too. It is not complete - it is mostly games I'm interested in so a few upcoming games are missing. But it also provides a cost comparison - ie, which to avoid buying at EB/GS.

Mario Hoops is supposed to be pretty good and that comes out in 2 weeks, so that's another option for your gift card. It should be $29.99 at Best Buy I think (EB/GS is overcharging most DS games by $5).
 
Its been such a long time since a game came out for DS that I jumped in without reading reviews or anything. I remember liking StarFox as a kid but after playing this a day then I think I'm just not a fan of the franchise. I find it to be boring and monotonous. I really can't get into the idea of RTS for this so I'm considering just selling it immediately.
 
I rented it, and I'm not liking it at all. I don't like the stylus control, and I do not like the strategy elements. Why won't Nintendo just make another rail shooter Star Fox? They have to be doing this on purpose. The franchise deserves better than this.
 
I like the game, just for the online play. I thinks it's a fun game even though I'm getting my ass beat. The controls are kinda strange but, I'm getting used to it.
 
[quote name='Blind the Thief']That was the case with most multiplayer games on N64...you eventually started doing stupid crap that ended up be the funniest thing you'd ever seen. Mmm, good times. :)[/QUOTE]

Reminded me of the times we would just try the craziest moves in No Mercy. We would spend HOURS just trying stupid crap out, with the gamshark being the main source of all our random zaniness.
 
[quote name='-Never4ever-']Reminded me of the times we would just try the craziest moves in No Mercy. We would spend HOURS just trying stupid crap out, with the gamshark being the main source of all our random zaniness.[/QUOTE]

Oh God, both No Mercy and Gameshark are sources of roughly 1 million hilarious memories for me. Anyone who didn't liek the N64 is a tool, I say. :)
 
Just throwing in my 2 cents...

The day after buying this game I seriously considered taking it back. I didn't like how all the air battles seemed like they were going to be the same and the blandness of the arenas didn't thrill me either. Eventually I decided that it was at least worth keeping a while and, if it didn't grow on me, I could always sell it somewhere.

A couple days later, I think that it's growing on me -- a bit. So far my complaints remain the same. I miss the challenging obstacle courses of the earlier games' on-rails levels. I wish this game gave you the ability to tilt side-to-side to dodge things like the old games. The skirmishes are short and repetitive.

However.... the online game is quite a thrill. There isn't much variety and it may get old, but it's pretty fun. And after playing that a while I found that the single player offers a similarly fun experience -- with more vehicles. After actually losing one of the single-player missions, I started to warm up to the strategy element of the game. All in all, I'd say the jury's still out. I think there's fun to be derived from this game, and I'll probably finish it, but unless the wifi really hooks me, I'll probably sell it back.

Final verdict: maybe worth a purchase, but wait for a used copy or sale!
 
Does anyone know if the SFC wi-fi multiplayer punishes those who dropout early before losing (a la Tetris DS)? Seems to happen all the time in Mario Kart and MP: Hunters without much punishment (at least that I can tell) and that kills half the fun.
 
[quote name='wjhard63']Does anyone know if the SFC wi-fi multiplayer punishes those who dropout early before losing (a la Tetris DS)? Seems to happen all the time in Mario Kart and MP: Hunters without much punishment (at least that I can tell) and that kills half the fun.[/quote]

I'm not sure about "punishment" but it very clearly keeps a tally on your record of how many dropouts you have. I'm not sure how this value affects your statistics and ranking, though.
 
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