Printable View
The DS Star Fox is out in Japan now and coming here at the end of the month. Here's a review: http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrank...eviewid=716608
I'm curious about the strategy phase. I like it when sequels try new things so hopefully that section will be well made. I'm also interested to know if this was developed by EAD, some other Nintendo team or an outside developer. It's getting hard to tell these days.
Anyone getting it?
Off topic, but why do they have their bars for 8 and 9 out of 10 only go halfway across? And I thought the original SF was hot, so if that part is good, then I might get it.
I wasn't crazy about Starfox 2 and this looks like an updated version of that. Unless it gets an overwhelmingly positive reception I think I'll be passing on this.
This game looks pretty terrible. I've seen quite a few gameplay videos.. Seems that very little, if any, of the combat is on rails and what's there is extraordinarily dull.
This is indeed the impression I got, as well. However I really liked Star Fox 2, so I'm all about this.Quote:
Originally Posted by sethsez
By the way, you didn't, by chance, play the unhacked beta version of SF2? The one where Corneira couldn't take damage?
It is indeed mission based and free roaming. It bears no resemblence to any previous Star Fox except the cancelled SNES one. I think it's kinda cool for Nintendo to revisit this design all these years later. I found it incredibly addictive.Quote:
Originally Posted by epmode
... Alright. I think I need to pass, which is sad. I love Star Fox and Star Fox 64.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogacuda
I still really want to play Star Fox Assault, despite what everyone has said about it I really liked what I played at EB a year or two ago.
I picked this up the other day, and it's pretty neat. It's not on-rails, but it's not exactly free-roaming either. Basically, you start with a map that shows where some enemies are, and you draw a flight plan on the map for each of your teammates. Then, once you run into an enemy, you have an encounter in a closed-off area that's a lot like star fox 64's VS. mode. So, within the confines of the encounter zone, you have 360 degrees of freedom. I never played any of the GCN star fox games, and in fact it's been nearly 8 years since I last played any star fox game at all, so I can't comment on how they stack up. Still, not too bad.
So it's on-the-rails, except you draw the rails, but combat is free form? Hm.
The strategy section plays like a very retarded RTS (basically), and then when you encounter an enemy it switches over to the action stage which is like the open sections of Star Fox 64.Quote:
Originally Posted by YellerDog
That sounds pretty terrible actually. I would have rather had a game set up like the original Star Fox.Quote:
Originally Posted by sethsez
It sounds a little like JSRF, where when you encounter an enemy you get a roped-off area to do battle. JSRF was terrible.
Eh... not really.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diff-chan
For anyone interested in this, it's not too hard to find a rom for Star Fox 2. Try that out for a better idea of how this thing'll work.
No. It's like... set up like a crude real time strategy game (or a turn-based version of missile command), where you draw your flight paths, and then when you have an encounter, you play a level of free-roaming shooting in a smallish arena. Time is ticking away in the main world when you do this, so the game is about trying to juggle all the action going on in the overworld. It's pretty fun.Quote:
Originally Posted by YellerDog
But again, people if you do this, make sure you get the hacked version, since the final beta has some debug stuff enabled that makes the game almost impossible to lose without trying.Quote:
Originally Posted by sethsez
It's only terrible if you're looking for a rail shooter. It's fine for what it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by elfneedsfood
That's what I was hoping for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogacuda
Like sethsez said, download Gideon Zhi's translated/hacked Star Fox 2 ROM, and try that, and see if a next-gen version of that is something you'd enjoy. I personally think SF2 has aged better than the original in some ways, so I'm all for it.
Honestly, I think it's pretty dull. Neither the action nor the strategy is in any way compelling, and they're mixed in such a way that the game never feels like it's going anywhere. Maybe SFC will pull the mix off better.
Question: Which courses did you play? I know the Easy one is pretty pointless, but the other two are great.Quote:
Originally Posted by sethsez
I really couldn't disagree more. The way they were integrated was great and really put the pressure on, and it felt like you were really fighting off an invading armada. The frenzied pace of the expert course is especially fun. Trying to keep on top of everything to defend the planet and still have time to take out the bases. It made a lot of sense to me anyway, and it was hectic as hell. Surely not dull.
All 3 courses have totally different levels too. It's not just difficulty settings.
Still haven't gotten around to trying the SF 2 rom. I'd much rather have a sequel with mostly rail stages and a handful of arenas. But OTOH, some of the most epic stages in SF 64 were the free roaming missions (especially the desert fight counting down to the big ID4 ship attacking).
Contra and Frog: how does the control scheme feel, comfort-wise? From the previews it sounds as though the touch commands are implemented really well. But using the D pad to fire + stylus has got to create at least a small amount of crampage.
You don't actually have to use the dpad. You can also use the buttons and use the touch screen with your left thumb if you like. It seems to work fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dylan1CC
^^^^
Interesting. Thanks for clarifying, Frog.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogacuda
If the L shoulder button works that may be easiest.
The L Trigger works, but I have an old fat DS and it feels kinda awkward. using the down arrow on the Dpad is easier for me, but YMMV. On the lites, the L trigger is a lot more comfortable.Quote:
Originally Posted by PBMax
Hrmmmm, I'd been seeing this in game stores around here since it just came out this last week. Guess maybe I'll wait a while though and see if I can get it for cheaper at the local used game store sometime soon.
http://ds.ign.com/articles/723/723646p1.html
Positive impressions of the import from IGN. People need to stop hating because it's different.
Lengthy new videos from IGN, my favorite is the moonbase battle. I think I am sold now:
http://media.ds.ign.com/media/826/826993/vids_1.html
I just wish they'd scrap dull yellow R.O.B. and use NES R.O.B. ya know? :p
I wish the enemy designs were better. They couldn't possibly look any more generic and lacking in personality than they do now. A flying circle with some triangles on the outside that shoots lasers from somewhere isn't the most compelling enemy. That was fine on the SNES because it's all that could handle, but here it just looks amateurish. I'm also not crazy about how middling and dull the encounters look, like the space combat equivalent of a random battle in an RPG (though that's pretty much what they are).
Everything just seems so slight and incidental. It looks well polished for what it is, I guess, but even Starfox 2 had Arwing transformations.
No shit. This looks like it should be running on an Amiga 500, not the DS.Quote:
Originally Posted by sethsez
Which Starfoxes were developed by Argonaut? The first three?
Star Fox 1, and the cancelled Star Fox 2 were developed by almost the exact same team made up of Argonaut and EAD staff. Star Fox 64 was developed by a different team at EAD with only a little bit of overlap.Quote:
Originally Posted by sleeveboy
Starfox has always had crummy little triangle/pod bogeys. Maybe slightly intentional to make the Arwing design stand out? That said though, I agree, these seem to show a real lack of effort and need some more personality. The visuals in general are a mixed bag between super FX chip and PSX.
Yes, but it was forgivable on the SNES because that's all it could render, and the enemies in the N64 game typically had a bit more going on design-wise than this. And both games were mostly on rails, which allowed for more controlled set pieces and layouts so the enemies themselves didn't have to carry as much of the weight.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dylan1CC
The engine looks nice, and it's good to see that the frame rate is so smooth, but artistically this is pretty sad.
^^^^
Agreed. That's pretty much what I was thinkin.' :)
Maybe it's a design approach similar to F-Zero X; 60 fps at the cost of geometry.
Yeah but Star Fox Command only runs at 30. The DS has already done way better than this looks.
The geometry in F-Zero X was simple, but recognizable. You could still tell they were a bunch of hovercrafts racing on huge tracks through futuristic cities and such. I can't tell what half of the enemies in this game are supposed to be.Quote:
Originally Posted by SpoDaddy
A bunch of triangular enemies.
The last time fighting trangles and circles was acceptable for a commercial game was Xevious.
And Geometry Wars Evolved.Quote:
Originally Posted by sethsez
Tempest 2000
Mortal Kombat.
I found the answer to my original question if anyone's interested. Star Fox Command was developed Q-Games and Nintendo. It turns out Q-Games is a Japanese developer founded by ex-Argonaut man Dylan Cuthbert. http://www.q-games.com/index.shtml They also did the Bit Generations game Digidrive.
You bought Sonic Heroes. I bet you even bought Shadow the Hedgehog when I wasn't looking, didn't you??Quote:
Originally Posted by Geen
I was playing Starfox Command for a couple of days last week and kinda liked it. I wouldn't say it's excellent (at least not so far) but it's probably something I'll pick up when it comes to the US. The strategy bits are generally simple, but there are some parts that'll make you think. And the action parts I actually like quite a bit. The stylus control works pretty well. Though it's stupid that there are touch-screen buttons for loop-the-loops and u-turns--they should've had stylus gestures instead, 'cause as-is you have to look down at the touch screen every time you want to execute one of these maneuvers. I also wish there were arrows that pointed to the enemies you need to kill. Trying to track them on the lower screen while simultaneously flying on the top screen is a real pain in the butt at times (especially when tracking the faster, more agile crafts).
But the control and shooting are good enough that I had fun with the game. For a brief video explanation of the game, check out the second segment of IGN Weekly Ep. 20 (just after the Dead Rising piece). I dunno why Fran narrated it instead of Craig (I don't think Fran got to play much--all the direct-feed video is me playing, which is why I had to play it last week).
Nah, I never got around to it. If I can find it on the dirt cheap I'll give it a go, though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mzo
Shadow was better than Sonic Heroes. A flawed game, sure, but let's call it like it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mzo
Spam. Ban pls.Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkRyan
So this should be out any day now. Anyone give the US verson a go yet?
Buddha?Quote:
Originally Posted by Geen
I got chewed out on another forum for saying it didn't look worth buying at full price. I was called biased and yelled at for slandering the games good name, even though all I said was the games are too short for 35$. The ass wipe did the same thing when I said deep labyrinth looked like ass water, I love nintendo fanboys.
It's 30 bucks this week at both CC and BB.
Figured it would be 35$ since most of the other first party nintendo stuff is.
To make things a little sweeter everyone on the planet got little 10 percent off coupons in the mail for use on games and dvds.
(only good from Sep 1-4)
I picked up the U.S. version yesterday, and I think its a great game. I've played it for a couple hours, and I think its pretty much on par with the SNES and N64 versions. Its definitely much better than Starfox Assault.Quote:
Originally Posted by Geen
I think the controls are what make this game great. The actual flying missions themselves aren't on rails, which seems like a disappointment at first. Most of the flying missions are basically in a free roam "arena" type setting and you basically fly all around shooting down enemy air craft. This wouldn't seem as good as the original Starfox games, if it weren't for the amazing controls. You basically use the stylus to fly the plane, you then tap buttons on the screen to make the plane do the loop the loops and u-turns. Double tapping the screen also makes the plane do a speed boost, and making a circular motion with the stylus makes the plane do a barrel roll (which is easy to pull off every time). The stylus controls just add so much more fluidity and precision that were not present in previous Starfox games, and it adds greatly to the feeling of actually flying an Arwing :)
The strategic elements are also pretty good. Some people may complain about these sequences, but they are much better implemented than those on foot missions in Starfox Assault. In the strategic missions you basically have an overhead map that shows where enemy planes, missiles, safe houses, and fuel sources are located. You then have so many turns to clear the map of any enemy planes. In order to do so, you simply move your little Starfox icon to a group of enemy planes by drawing a line with the stylus. Once you reach the enemy planes the game kicks into the free roam flying missions. These strategic elements also put the stylus to good use, because they add some fog to the maps that hides enemy ships...and you use the stylus to try and uncover the ships hiding behind the fog :) I think these strategic missions are well implemented because the flight missions would become repetitive if they didn't have something in between to break up the action. Also, I don't usually like playing strategy games, but it works well here because it doesn't seem to be overly complicated or difficult.
Another aspect I like of this game is the ability to actually control other members of the Starfox team (including Slippy) during flight missions. This adds some different strategy to the gameplay as well, because the ships also have different attributes. For example, Slippy's plane doesn't seem to lock on, its a bit "heavier" to manuever, and it has a shorter boost meter.
Overall, so far, Star Fox Command is DIFFERENT from the previous Star Fox games. Think back to the missions on Star Fox 64 where you fight those bosses: Leon, That Panther Guy, and that Grey Star Wolf (sorry I can't remember there names). That boss fight was basically free roaming and not on rails. If you remember those sequences, then thats basically how all the flight missions in Star Fox Command are so far.......just with REALLY GREAT CONTROL that ups the fun factor 100% for me :) This is a solid entry in the series, and its definitely worth full price!
One thing that I would like to know in terms of this game. Is there replay value in it all? Is it difficult enough to mak eme want to play over and over again to master it? I remember the old games having medals to earn if you played well enough......Is there anything like that in this one?
From what I have seen so far, it seems like there may be some replay value in the game. Most of the difficulty comes in the form of completing the strategy levels correctly, and in the fact that all the free roaming flight missions are timed. So far, I have died more often from accidentally running out of time instead of actually being shot down.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gymkata
I also think there will be some replay value because there seems to be multiple paths through the game that are locked up. I'm not sure how to unlock the alternate paths yet, I am thinking it may be through some sort of scoring system, but the multiple paths should add some replay.
I got a chance to play this game, and I admit I was wrong. This game is actually really good. I thought the controls sounded aweful, but they work really well. The game is addicting and fun.Quote:
Originally Posted by elfneedsfood
Between the impressions here, impressions in reviews, my desire to play a good new Star Fox, and just getting paid, I do believe I will be going to pick this up tomorrow at Target. Sounds like a lot of fun.
As for replay value, I've heard the sucker boosts 9 different endings.
Does one of them have the Slippy rape scene?
Seriously, though, I'm not a fan of StarFox at all and I think this game looks hot. Stylus control sounds perfect for this.
Yes it does. When you finish the game you unlock new paths and new missions that lead to new endings.Quote:
Originally Posted by Geen
Oh, I'm not the only one relieved to see that they scaled back the shitty RARE redesign of the characters, am I?
Is there a medal/unlockables system for the game aside from the new paths/endings? Has anyone tried the multiplayer yet?
Well they changed them to something equally shitty, so it's kind of a wash.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChaoofNee
The original should've been an unlockable.
weirdly slippy is cool now. Since now everyone has their own ship and not just a bunch of arwings, it almost feels like an rpg, slippy is kind of a tnak, massive shields, and plasma guns out of the gate, but no lock on and a low speed boost meter. I hate falco now, his ship can take so little punishement its pathetic. Honestly, this game is a funny thing, its a horrid idea on paper and yet it works, i like it, a lot.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChaoofNee
Falco's multi lock-on makes missions a little too easy though. Sorta reminds me of Rez.
I'm loving the game so far.
so the summation is that it's better than the Gamecube game but not as good as the original?
Better than Assault and completely different from the SNES game.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonmaster Dyne
On that note, I'm loving this game as well. The strategy parts are awesome, the battles have variety, the different ships are awesome -- Hell, even multiplayer is a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to trying this online in the next few days.
ill have to talk my bro into gettign this then. he's turned into quite the DS whoare lately. i may pick one up when the black units ship.
I put in some serious time with this over the weekend and I have a new conclusion for it -- No sir, I don't like it.
First off, single player; Everything was fine and dandy until they introduced missile missions. Maybe I just suck with the stylus, or maybe the crafts are just too slow, but flying through different transparent blocks that come faster and faster is not just hard it's frustrating. I began to think that maybe I just don't like games when they start defeating me, but, then I played some other games were I got my ass kicked and I wanted to come back and get better, not chuck the system against the wall.
Second, online play. The ranked battles have to be four players or you're not going to play at all. I sat in a room and found two other people, we waited for a moment or two more and then all of us got dumped back to the lobby because a fourth could not be found. Lame. Just keep searching or let us play three players like Mario Kart. I also tried "random battles" where you can choose how many people are going to play (Nice feature), and the battle did go smoothly I just... I dunno... Wasn't enjoying it, to be honest.
I did like multiplayer when it was offline with a buddy of mine. Maybe it was because I really am not a huge multiplayer Star Fox fan and us just shooting shit as we played made it an enjoyable experience, where on Wifi connection, playing in a competitive field, it's not that thrilling since I really don't give a damn. I will say that if you like Star Fox multiplayer on 64 then you are going to like it here too, so at least Nintendo is catering to a portion of the fan base, I guess.
The last thing I'll say about this is that I'm really tired of the continuing story line. I wish they would drop the progressing story and go back to the beginning with it. I'm tired of seeing Crystal crammed in there for no real reason.
I have no comment on the online play, but when you're chasing the missles, use one of the guys with multiple lockon. It makes it way easier.Quote:
Originally Posted by Geen
The missile stuff is annoying but it's not hard.
Geen, that's a pussy excuse for not liking a game. At least rip on the furry romances or something.
The "furry romances" don't bother me as I can put the internet aside and not think about people in racoon suits fucking each other while playing video games.Quote:
Originally Posted by Revoltor
I stand by my reasoning, though. I've been playing other games all weekend that kick my ass and never once did I feel fustrated to the point of wanting to stop. With the missile chases, I did. Maybe I'm just doing it wrong, but it felt like I could never steer through the boxes correctly. I'm glad others have no issue with it, if anything.