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.
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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.
