Star Fox Zero and Guard Stay On Target
By William G Chandler Jr. April 23, 2016, at 6:45 a.m.
People remember various experiences. What you do forget, at times, is that most games lead to fun. Over the years they adapt, we change, and sometimes the result is beyond, or below expectations. Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard, by Nintendo and Platinum Games, looks to conjure past feelings. Star Fox Zero has you control the Star Fox team against Andross’ return. You are Fox McCloud. Control the crew of Arwings; beat back these forces of evil, and save the Lylat system.
You pick vehicles like the Arwing, that transforms into a walker, the Landmaster Tank, that becomes flight enabled, or operate the Gyrowing. Star Fox Zero relies primarily on the Wii U Gamepad. This is not a bad thing. The possible bad comes in what Chelsea Stark mentions in her article, at Mashable, five things Shigeru Miyamoto mentions about Star Fox Zero. In Stark’s article, Mister Miyamoto explains this game offers a challenge. One important idea, that today, can decide whether a game is good, or bad, is gameplay mechanic.
A critical issue addressed is Star Fox’s control with the Wii U Gamepad’s motion controls. In my opinion, the motion control on the game pad, with the left and right analog sticks, creates a critical rift. The left and right analog sticks must operate as a unit in order to control your vehicles. The slightest mistake means missing the mark, or defeat by laser, or missile, fire. Nintendo’s Wii U Gamepad with motion controls offers a free and radical method of shooting your enemies. With great looks, solid presentation, and a nice challenge, Star Fox Zero represents both acclaim, and criticism.
This game has a serious, learning curve. In one sense, you can hit every enemy on the screen. In another way, so much freedom requires you to master the pilot controls. You will not learn Star Fox Zero in a day. It requires replay. This game is fast, crisp, and has a hair trigger. It is refreshing to watch laser fire settle on a speedy enemy and end in a fiery explosion. Star Fox Zero is like an exhilarating, accurate restart. If you want to work at this fun, you can.
Star Fox Guard reminds me of a war-like, labyrinth, race title. Players must protect Grippy’s, Slippy Toad’s uncle, various bases from a robot invasion in a three-dimensional tower defense game. There are a series of cameras. Each camera operates a gun. As a robot attacks, you prevent the droid from getting to the base’s core. The turns in the labyrinth allow time to switch between cameras and blast the enemy before they enter. The mechanics work, the game looks solid, however, if you choose to find fun, you can.
Allow me to explain. Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard offer the same solution, and problem. The controls operate, as they should. The player wants to adjust. This result is two new experiences with new, pleasurable, purpose.
What are your thoughts? Will you be picking up Star Fox Zero?
5 Things We Learn About Star Fox Zero from Shigeru Miyamoto by Chelsea Stark
Star Fox Zero/Guard Wii U Gameplay (HD) 1080p by Cerealkillerz