Wii U Star Fox Zero Review by @eigotaku
April 30, 2016 8:16 am | Leave your thoughts
Ratings System:
Toss it = Hated it
Taste it = Liked it
Tupperware = Loved it
Star Fox Zero on Wii U
Review- Nintendo on auto pilot.
Frustration is a word that plagued my experience with star fox zero, whether it was wrestling with the initially obtuse and disorienting controls, or coming across the handful of really cool gameplay mechanics or scenarios, only to be disappointed by their uninspired execution.
In true Nintendo fashion, the story hasn’t changed that much since the seminal 1993 original. Andross is plotting to take over the lylat system, and via epic boss battles and tense dog fights with team Star Wolf, Fox, Falco et al fly, hover, walk and drive though 10 main and 7 side missions from the star fox staples like corneria, or different takes on familiar locales such as Titania or Zoness. More on the levels in detail later.
The all range areas and dog fights flip flopped between making me feel like a maverick one second, and a completely clueless novice the next, even after five or six tries. I’m not one to give up, but honestly, the actual scenarios themselves, both in objective and environment, felt quite bland.
The first level, Corneria, up until the boss fight, is comfortable and familiar, and it felt good to be back. Lush green hills, canyons and waterfalls litter the area that looks pretty decent. A solid frame rate, a bold yet varied colour palate and good water effects bring the environment to life, even if the enemies are a bit derivative and basic. The first boss battle is the first attempt of introducing the new control scheme, game play and vehicles. And it excites and frustrates in equally.
Taking the boss down in stages- first, having to pick off legged mechanoids climbing up the control tower, then breaking away segments of the boss itself, to then transform the arwing into a two legged walker to enter the boss and destroy its innards sounds great and interesting on paper. In execution, it’s initially quite awkward, clumsy and eventually quite dull to actually achieve.
I have written a detailed breakdown of each level, but it would actually spoil any surprises there are, so if you have any interest in star fox, you’ve probably invested and made your own mind up.
Nevertheless, to me, nothing in star fox zero ever amounts to much more than merely shooting at obvious and brightly coloured targets and in 2016, with the possibilities the game pad has which have been demonstrated with the Wonderful 101, Zombi U and even Nintendo Land, I can’t help but feel like is a missed opportunity. Cutting wires with swipes, typing in codes or even shooting in a particular shape or path with precision aiming from the gamepad could have increased the variety, urgency and overall fun.
Verdict.
Some really neat initial concepts and a few epic boss battles aside, star fox zero is tragically nothing more than at times fun and decent, but more often than not, a frustrating and barely satisfactory entry in a series that started out as being so beloved and pioneering. The convoluted controls, regardless of practise or mastery, and especially in the absence of any customisation, don’t hide what is underneath- what should be a crown jewel in 2016 and a swan song for it’s console is merely a stop gap that will try to keep the Wii U alive just until Zelda and/ or the NX surface. Paradoxically and heartbreakingly, never has a ‘good’ game been so disappointing.
Rating- Taste it. Sadly.
Review by @eigotaku of Eigotaku’s Pubstomper Podcast
Tags: Star Fox Zero Wii U
Categorised in: Toy Addict
This post was written by Leftover Brian
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