Star Fox Adventures

[Menokh]

I'm surprised no one has posted a topic about this game yet, especially seeing as it's Rare's first and last game on the GameCube.

Anyhow, I got this game on Wednesday, and it is addictive. Although one has to wonder why you need to collect so many items, I still have a hard time putting this game down. 11 hours in two days... And Rare put so much detail into almost everything(even small koi in the rivers) it shows off the Gamecube's power very well; although every once in awhile there are small graphical glitches, like during cinema scenes sometimes shadows will pixelize. I am however dissapointed that the arwing stages are so damned short, as they are well made.

And I'm not in the least bit afraid to say that Krystal is hot! I'm sure you know what I mean. You know what they say, sex sells.

Anyways, who's played this game and what do you all think of it?

[Demimore]

Is it released?!??! IT SEEMS GREAT (now I have a reason of buying a GC!)

[AlexMax]

...Although one has to wonder why you need to collect so many items...

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2002/20020927l.gif

[Daarkseid]

In EGM, one of the game reviewers, who in recent issues has shown himself to be a big fan of Nintendo and their games, actually gave the game a 4.5, which is barely below average. The other reviewers gave it an average of 8.0. A 4.5 is awfully bad for a game as anticipated as Star Fox Adventures...

He says that it was the fetching quests and having to collect items that ruined the game for him...

[Menokh]

I actually enjoy the collecting of items.
This game just seems to never get boring for me.

And Alex, I've seen that Penny Arcade comic, fits well. And it's Bofomdads in case anyone cares..

I know some people will hate the focus on exploration and collecting, but most of Rare's more recent games were similar. If you're not sure wether you will like it or not then rent it first.

As for EGM, game reviews often times are wrong, I always find that if I'm interested in a game that actually playing it will tell me if I like it. Another example is Lunar: SSSC for the PSX, Gamepro gave it ratings in the 2's(out of 5) while I happen to love that game.

[Orion]

I like this game somewhat. Not the greatest, but ok. The story and voice acting is terrible most of the time though.

One thing though, is this the Zelda 5/6 engine or did they build it from scratch. It seems an awful lot like they just took out Link and put in Fox.

[Yoshiman]

I like the game. it's a little short though. And I think the voice acting is pretty good. At least it was better than SA2.

[Menokh]

They programmed the engine from scratch, but alot of ideas did come from OoT's engine.

The engine is definately different from OoT's. Of course it is similar, it's just the type of game it is.

I thought the voice acting was fairly good most of the time, myself. As for the story, what do you expect from Star Fox? Star Fox games never have much of a story, the fact that this one has a story worth mentioning is odd.

[Maverick_Zero]

I was looking forward to it, but I heard about all the going out and exploring, not so much fighting, and how short the Arwing levels were. I love flying, oh well, isn't there going to be a normal Star Fox game soon? Or is that about the same chance of their being a normal Mario game anytime soon.

[Menokh]

I've heard Nintendo is working on a normal StarFox game for the gamecube. I think Nintendo might be working with another company to make it.

I have no idea when it'll be out nor do I have any other details about it.

[itschris]

Originally posted by Menokh
I've heard Nintendo is working on a normal StarFox game for the gamecube. I think Nintendo might be working with another company to make it.

I have no idea when it'll be out nor do I have any other details about it.

It's called Star Fox Armada and is being developed with Namco.

http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/starnewnamco.jpg

[ShyGuy0824]

I've played SFA, and I like it so far. You have to say though, that not all the collecting is exactly mandatory. I love a lot of the side missions (chasing after those things in what seem to be those bikes from Return of the Jedi was especially cool) I haven't played too far, but I'm bringing the second spirit to the Holy place.

I like the game for the most part, although some parts are ridiculously easy while others are frickin impossible. Running the barrel up the ramp and in the dark are my two biggest timekillers...

[Menokh]

Ah, thanks itschris.
I have to wonder when that'll be out so I can actually play some REAL flying levels.

Now that the novelty of a new game has begun to wear off and I have played 56% through the game I can give abit of a review on it(I'll keep it short).

Graphics:
Simply amazing. The best I've seen on the Gamecube to date(beats anything I've seen on PS2 and Xbox as well). Everything looks crisp and realistic. However there are a couple of small problems probably caused by not having a progressive scan TV, like the occasional pixxelation of shadows during cinema scenes or the few times the lighting effects will shine through something. But in short it is sure to please any graphics nazi, like DC.

Sound:
Very good. It is in Dolby Digital something or other. The music fits the game's areas well, although the battle music can get repetitive sometimes. It has that definate Rare feeling we expect from previous games. The voice acting IMO is rather good, it could be better, but I have yet to hear better. Most of the voices fit well(although Slippy's voice and the WarpStone's voice could use work).

Gameplay:
I suppose some would argue that this is all that matters. Well I found the gameplay to be fun, and somehow it never got boring for me. However I do have a few gripes. There is almost too much to collect, although Rare did give each item a useful purpose(thank god). Anohter gripe is the shortness of the Arwing sections(fly through one gold ring and reach the end sort of stuff), they feel almost like an afterthought, although they do serve a purpose. One of the weaknesses in the gameplay is the lives system, bafomdads, they are almost useless seeing as you can save at anytime and most things that should kill you don't. I think the battle system is worth mentioning due to the slight inacuracy of many existing reviews(autocombos, not quite); it is somewhat simple(not to mention the AI needs help), you press the A button to use the staff and use the control stick to create different combos, there is hidden depth to this system although one wonders if it is needed. Also everyonce in awhile the frame rate will drop to unbearable levels for about 2 seconds while the Gamecube loads the massive areas on the fly, but most of the time you are running when this happens and will barely notice it. Overall the game plays great, but some parts need a little work and I wouldn't have minded a couple more months of devel time in that department.

Fun Factor:
I found this game to be quite fun. Others may not due to the sometimes repetitive exploration. The story line is somewhat complex and adds to the game, although at times Fox seems tacked in there. There really isn't much to say ere, is there?

Overall:
Excellent graphics and sound combined with fun gameplay that is sometimes repititive seems to have resulted in a fun game. It is certainly better than Banjo Kazooie or DK64, however it doesn't quite measure up to some of Rare's previous efforts like DKC1 and 2. Despite the comments I've heard like "It's Legend of Zelda for furries" or "It is like Zelda's twin" it is a unique game that IMO deserves to be at least rented by any GameCube owner.
--------------------------------------------------

Hmm. anyways, thats my opinion of it.
And yes ShyGuy, that barrel up the ramp section was rather time consuming, took me about an hour and a half to get the damned thing up there without blowing it up.

[Grasshopper]

I haven't played this game hardly at all since I got it. Haven't really gotten far enough to say I hate, but I haven't gotten far enough to say I like it either. Boy, I really need to play this game some more. The graphics look pretty awesome though. And I like the music too. I probably haven't heard enough of it though. :tongue: You know, I get image of that Congo movie when I hear the music of Thorntail Hollow. And I like my bagpipe music I heard when I first saw the Warpstone guy. Do you get to hear that again? It's cool.

[satanman]

smeg, I only just got mario sunshine (released here yesterday, w00t at last), and now SFA is in america?

heh SFA =
Street Fighter Alpha
Star Fox Adventures
Star Fox Armada
:p

[EWild]

It's good that Rare's not making Star Fox Aramada, or XBox would get it. :) And I really want to see this game, I loved StafFox 64. :)

I agree that the fighting system could've been better, and some other things too. But it's a good game. Rent it, buy it, play it, jsut don't miss out on it. Unless you don't have a Cube. ;)

[Link 101]

I love it. It took me two days to beat and I love it! I might go play it right now! I can't wait until Star Fox Armada.

[Yoshiman]

I've beaten SFA, and now I have to wait for Armada. Sheesh!

[Orion]

Originally posted by EWild
It's good that Rare's not making Star Fox Aramada, or XBox would get it. :)

Not really. Rare would have probably dropped development of it if it had been making it, because Nintendo owns the licenses to Star Fox. But, this isn't the case anyway, so no need to worry about it. :).