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Star Fox 64 Review
Overview
Star Fox 64 is an early N64 game, and a (mostly) on rails shooter. It's meant to be played through in a single sitting, with branching level paths, a focus on earning points and unlocking medals, all serving to create an almost infinitely replayable game.
Art
The ships and characters in this game are simplistic and boxy, though they serve their purpose well. The textures and backgrounds, however, are brutally muddy, dark, and blurry. Still, they don't get in the way of the gameplay, and there is little-to-no slowdown, which would be worse. The sound effects are superb, and the game features probably my all time favourite voice acting. The characters have plenty of hilarious and memorable lines, like Peppy's "Do a barrel roll!"
Innovation Factor
I don't think that Star Fox 64 features anything especially innovative, other than that it was the first N64 game to use the rumble pack. It sports a very natural progression in gameplay from the SNES original, and throws just the right amount of action at the player combined with almost perfect gameplay to present a brilliant game experience.
Gameplay
Star Fox 64 is one thing, fun as hell. Its levels are fun to play over and over again, they are challenging without being frustrating for new players, and they remain challenging for more experienced players seeking high scores and medals. The controls are simple, easily remembered, and work extremely well on the N64.
Lastability and Re-playability
This is a game that can literally last forever. As I mentioned, the single player campaign must be played through in a single sitting, as there is no way to save progress, this is not a problem however because the campaign takes perhaps 30-45 minutes, and is especially short if the player takes the easiest route. The game's branching paths allow for great variety in play-throughs, but it's the quest for medals and high scores that really keep the game alive for years. There's also a fairly simplistic multiplayer mode, which seems almost tacked on, but is surprisingly fun and can become pretty addictive. I know I spent a couple sleep-overs in my youth playing the multiplayer mode all night.
Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Played
To avoid getting sucked into the final boss' mouth, it's best to use the loop move, or at least use the break. He's been overly frustrating for me for years; I don't know how I didn't figure this out.
Overall
Put simply, this game is an all time classic. Unlike many N64 games, it has aged beautifully, so much so that it remains the best of its franchise. I chose to review this game because I just picked this game up again, and it really does remain just as fun as it ever was. I can't understand why a true and worthwhile sequel has never been made; maybe the game just can't be topped.
Screenshot source: Virtual Console Reviews
Star Fox 64 is an early N64 game, and a (mostly) on rails shooter. It's meant to be played through in a single sitting, with branching level paths, a focus on earning points and unlocking medals, all serving to create an almost infinitely replayable game.
Art
The ships and characters in this game are simplistic and boxy, though they serve their purpose well. The textures and backgrounds, however, are brutally muddy, dark, and blurry. Still, they don't get in the way of the gameplay, and there is little-to-no slowdown, which would be worse. The sound effects are superb, and the game features probably my all time favourite voice acting. The characters have plenty of hilarious and memorable lines, like Peppy's "Do a barrel roll!"
Innovation Factor
I don't think that Star Fox 64 features anything especially innovative, other than that it was the first N64 game to use the rumble pack. It sports a very natural progression in gameplay from the SNES original, and throws just the right amount of action at the player combined with almost perfect gameplay to present a brilliant game experience.
Gameplay
Star Fox 64 is one thing, fun as hell. Its levels are fun to play over and over again, they are challenging without being frustrating for new players, and they remain challenging for more experienced players seeking high scores and medals. The controls are simple, easily remembered, and work extremely well on the N64.
Lastability and Re-playability
This is a game that can literally last forever. As I mentioned, the single player campaign must be played through in a single sitting, as there is no way to save progress, this is not a problem however because the campaign takes perhaps 30-45 minutes, and is especially short if the player takes the easiest route. The game's branching paths allow for great variety in play-throughs, but it's the quest for medals and high scores that really keep the game alive for years. There's also a fairly simplistic multiplayer mode, which seems almost tacked on, but is surprisingly fun and can become pretty addictive. I know I spent a couple sleep-overs in my youth playing the multiplayer mode all night.
Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Played
To avoid getting sucked into the final boss' mouth, it's best to use the loop move, or at least use the break. He's been overly frustrating for me for years; I don't know how I didn't figure this out.
Overall
Put simply, this game is an all time classic. Unlike many N64 games, it has aged beautifully, so much so that it remains the best of its franchise. I chose to review this game because I just picked this game up again, and it really does remain just as fun as it ever was. I can't understand why a true and worthwhile sequel has never been made; maybe the game just can't be topped.
Final Score: 90/100
Where does this game rank on my All Time Reviewed Games List?
Screenshot source: Virtual Console Reviews
- By Newbs at 2007-01-05 23:41
- Games
- Reviews
- Nintendo 64
- Star Fox