When it first cussed its way onto the N64 back in 2001, Conker's Bad Fur Day pushed the boundaries of what was allowed on a console (especially one made by Nintendo), and quickly proceed to make headlines. Rare Ltd. cleverly wrapped their 3D platformer in a blanket of obscenities and toilet humor, daring gamers to keep playing so they could see just how raunchy things would get. Even with this clever approach, many believed that time would render most of Conker's charm obsolete when it was announced for the Xbox. Surprisingly enough, Conker: Live & Reloaded shows that there's more to this little red squirrel than just a potty mouth.
First impressions are important, and Rare apparently realized this when they began work on the remake. The new visuals are simply astounding, with some of the most detailed and colorful landscapes seen so far this generation. Conker himself is wonderfully rendered; his vibrant fur flowing with immense detail. This awesome attention to detail extends to the entire cast, and all the friends and foes our alcoholic hero makes along his journey have been redone and vastly improved. The time Rare took was well spent, and Live & Reloaded is a real treat for the eyes.
Unfortunately, the presentation doesn't completely live up to expectations. Sure, it looks great, but the humor and vulgarity that made the original game so famous has now been grossly (and strangely) censored. Almost none of the obscenities have been left alone, and one wonders what Rare was trying to prove, considering that Conker appeared on the Xbox the same month as the untouchedGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
When it first cussed its way onto the N64 back in 2001, Conker's Bad Fur Day pushed the boundaries of what was allowed on a console (especially one made by Nintendo), and quickly proceed to make headlines. Rare Ltd. cleverly wrapped their 3D platformer in a blanket of obscenities and toilet humor, daring gamers to keep playing so they could see just how raunchy things would get. Even with this clever approach, many believed that time would render most of Conker's charm obsolete when it was announced for the Xbox. Surprisingly enough, Conker: Live & Reloaded shows that there's more to this little red squirrel than just a potty mouth.