F-Zero GX (GC)

BigDirty

BigDirty

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I guess I'll step up and start things off:

I found this to be a great anti-gravity racer(AGR). Personally I am a huge fan of the WipeOut series, and my expectations for a AGR are always high.

Graphically the game is very nice, not only does it live up to conveying the high speeds, but it also does it without sacrificing background details and model details. I will say however that some of the levels are too busy in the background, and attract attention away from the race.

The gameplay is very nice. The default controller setup is great and very friendly to the user. It also is very responsive to the input, but kudos also have to go with the stock Gamecube controller as well. I would also like to hear comments on anyone who is playing with a WaveBird to see if that changes the feel any.

However the gameplay in terms of difficulty seems to be very unbalanced. Courses seem to be either extremely easy to finish in first, or excrutiatingly difficult to finish because of gap placements. As far as the competitor AI, it would be the most balanced part of the game. Also some of the story mode also seems to suffer from the excrutiatingly hard gameplay balance.

The music is OK. Its nice to hear yet even more reworking of the classic F-Zero themes, but, it does get a little old, and some of the music tracks really clash with the AGR style. It might be coming time for the big N to look into licensing some music.

Other sound effects, I can't complain, but I can't compliment either. They're average at best. Some of the racer voices are really nice, and others are really muddled and you can't understand them.

It's a very solid game on Nintendo's part, however it's appeal is slightly limited. I enjoy it because I'm a fan of the genre, but I don't know how others who aren't AGR fans may take it.
 
If you're having a hard time finishing tracks, try changing cars. They vary alot. With the Stingray I was having a hard time finishing the last race on the sapphire cup, but when swapped to the Mighty Hurricane suddenly it was easy as pie.

Graphically it wowed me at first, then I went back and played NFS:HP2 on the PS2. I couldn't help but think "low detail, choppy, slow.". The speed is addictingly fast. So far I've completed the Ruby cup on Master, Sapphire on Master, Emerald on Master, and Diamond on Expert (I haven't attempted Diamond on Master yet, but I should have it beat by tuesday)

Multiplayer drops some detail in the background but manages to maintain the killer framerate, even with four people.

Most amazing moments:
Coming from 25th on the final straight, using all my boost, and coming across the line in 10th as a smoking lump of metal.

Missing the last set of steps on Dragon Slope, and landing on the track below after a hair raising 2500km/h dive for life.
 
F-Zero X very similar, and IMO, a little more balanced than GX. I guess GX is what happens when you give it the game some anabolic steriods compounded with some "e".

If you liked X, you definately would like GX. The addition of the story mode is also nice, gives a little more meat to the game.
 
[quote name='Demon-Xanth']Graphically it wowed me at first, then I went back and played NFS:HP2 on the PS2. I couldn't help but think "low detail, choppy, slow."[/quote]

What's choppy and slow - F-Zero GX or NFS: HP2?
 
I bought F-Zero GX the same day I bought SC2. Big mistake. After wearing out the fighting game, I've had time to sit down and invest some quality gaming into F-Z:GX racing goodness.

First of all, the presentation of this game is clear and easy-to-navigate. The graphics are amazing, but the detail in the car models and some of the draw distance on certain tracks take an ever-so-slight hit due to the extreme speed of the game. There's minimal bump mapping or vehicle effects other than a glossy surface here and there, but it's a thrill seeing 29 white-hot lit engines and the cascading boost sparks grounding out on the track ahead of you.

F-Zero GX's main selling point is that it's fast. Plain and simple. Never a hiccup, never a hitch, this game is locked at a very high frame rate and cranks every bit of it out onto your TV. The first time I played it, I could feel my eyes jitter trying to keep up with the amazing speed.

The gameplay has the classic F-Zero feel. Having been a fan of the series since the original SNES version, I was immediately able to pick up the game and finish in the top three on the first track in my first play. F-Zero GX is very much a game that is easy to pick up, but difficult to master. This, however, becomes a problem on the later tracks and higher difficulties. The game is fun...but it becomes difficult. Insanely difficult. Controller throwing, foot-stamping, fist-clenchingly difficult. I haven't acted like that since the original Street Fighter II on SNES. Now, two games in one month (SC2 and F-Z:GX) have made me chuck controllers.

However, the main thing that's keeping me interested despite the huge difficulty is that there's a great variety of cars to unlock and vehicle parts to earn. That is, until I have an aneurysm or I disassemble my controllers in a fit of anger. I do have a problem with the fact that you MUST buy the next chapter of the story mode, instead of automatically earning it upon the completion of the previous chapter. Of course, it's also a good way to make you a more well-rounded player by having to hit not only story-oriented tasks but the grand prix cups as well. The vehicle customization mode is definitely full-service and also a lot of fun, with tons of parts to buy and outfit your vehicle with, and tons of custom emblem and color options to boot.

The sound is competent. Sound effects for boosting, and low-energy warnings are clear, and vehicle explosions and big barrier hits kick the sub-woofer nicely. Each driver profile you earn has their own individual theme, a lot of them with lyrics. I can really give or take the rest of the music. Big guitars and electronic drum beats. Nothing stands out, except that I love the unlockable Sounds Of Big Blue remix, which brings back fond memories of my many hours spent on the previous games. I just wish Sega had included something musically as memorable as the original Daytona theme...something that you hear and immediately scream, "F-ZERO!" The English-language voiceovers are lousy, and the post-race interviews are grating.

Overall, it's a fun game, but I hesitate to whole-heartedly recommend it for everyone. It's hard...it's fast...it's rewarding. I love it though. I can't wait to test out the arcade connectivity.

9/10...if...you thrive on difficult games. Rent first if you're a casual gamer. Buy it if you're hardcore.
 
I don't know if it's me, but we all know portions of this game can be excrutiatingly difficult. Anyway, I put the game down for about two weeks, mainly just to catch up on some trash, and with some of the games I've been playing, trash is very complimentary. Anyway, I pick it up tonight, and it seems like it's not as painfully hard when not pounding away at it time after time, and I was easily able to pass some courses/cups/story stages that I was previously stuck on.

Anyone else have a similar situation (hopefully not playing most of the trash that I have been playing)
 
Yea, this game is rediculously hard if you want to clear it and earn (nearly) everything. I can usually beat any game completely pretty quick (cept for console FPS's, damn gamepads) and this game has been a complete PAIN sometimes. The computer racers don't really seem to cheat to me, its just that they're nearly flawless in their driving. (flying? hovering? whatever :))

It is a great game for playing with friends though, IMHO. While I do miss the X cup from F-Zero X, at least there are a good amount of unique and cool tracks to keep you busy (and frustrated). Only problem with multiplayer is only 4 cars at a time... but having all 30 on screen with 4 people playing would be a bit harsh on the system (or the graphics).

I've also noticed that not playing for a few days can actually help you. I did that with Soul Calibur 2 and this and both times I came back and beat some levels that were constantly annoying me earlier.

I'd give this game a 9/10 or maybe a 9.5/10, the only real downside is the difficulty :)
 
I don't see the difficulty as a downside, it gives the game longevity.

You don't have to get past the difficult parts to keep playing and enjoying the game, but they are there when you are ready for them.

I'm not ready for them yet ;)
 
i like this game, but it needs some mini games to bring it all together. all games should have mini games now. something that you can earn by playing it. ya know
 
Are you kidding me? This game was on the top of my Christmas list. I was sooo happy when I got it. I love going ultra fast. This completly delivers on every level. The graphics are INSANE. So much detail and beauty. The controls are spot on. The little CG movies are cool. 9/10, but only if you have little to no temper. This game is HARD.
 
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