Star Fox Zero Review

Shoot for the Stars with Star Fox Zero

With Star Fox Zero , most people are going to go into the game thinking of it as a remake of Star Fox 64 . That line of thinking won’t last. While it certainly is a re-imagining of one of the most iconic and memorable entries in the series, it’s far more than that. Rather, Star Fox Zero is the most versatile entry in the series.

But let’s start from the beginning. Star Fox Zero is a dogfighting game where, for many points, you’re on a preset path. It’s only as you go along that you begin to notice areas where you can deviate from the standard course to jet off into new adventures within the same storyline. Yet, the general theme remains the same. Fox McCloud and his Star Fox team are initially called upon to protect Corneria from an attack by the traitorous Andross’ forces. By taking on this assignment, the group ends up defending the Lylat system as a whole.

Fox mostly uses the Arwing in combat, but can also pilot the Gyromaster, Landmaster, Gravmaster, or Walker. Sometimes, this can happen unexpectedly. Many levels have you start in one vehicle for a phase, but you can transition to others as needed, depending on where the mission takes you or the decisions you make when faced with a boss. You can occasionally force these changes as well, if you’d prefer, in particular with the Walker. Doing so can even lead you to find some of the off-the-beaten-path areas.

I found vehicle shifts most helpful when looking for different tactical advantages. As an example, at one point during the first boss fight on Corneria, where I was protecting General Pepper in a tower, one of Andross’ gigantic shops descended. I began the dogfight by taking out sensors on the top of the ship. Then, upon noticing an opening in the ship, sent Fox’s Arwing in. It transformed into the Walker form automatically. The progression from one element to another happened quite naturally, further highlighting Star Fox Zero ‘s versatility.

This is represented with the controls as well. Star Fox Zero is a bit unorthodox. The GamePad offers a cockpit view, while the TV screen shows the Arwing in the field. You’re supposed to look at the big screen while deciding where to go, and the small screen when participating in more intense shootouts. It takes some time and patience to master, to say the least. Adjusting the controls, to determine if you’d prefer standard or inverted steering or motion-activated (gyro) aiming, helps.

What I found worked even better was to focus on specific tasks. Star Fox Zero is great at letting you do that. I had trouble during the mandatory, introductory Arwing tutorial and decided to focus only on what the GamePad was showing me. Yes, it was more restrictive, but it helped me figure things out more quickly. For the first level, I turned my TV off and focused on Cockpit mode. Then, gradually, I reintroduced the TV.

It’s all because Star Fox Zero ‘s Cockpit mode is genuinely great. It really does help you focus in on opponents in a way that wasn’t possible in previous entries in the series. You’re able to really see exactly what’s ahead of you and focus. Best of all, the game recognizes this and gives you more intense challenges where you need to hit very specific weak points that you’d never see if you were only looking at a screen.

Once I learned how to get things done with the GamePad, incorporating the TV’s perspective helped make things easier. Easiest of all is heading into cooperative play with one friend driving the Arwing and another aiming. Once you find a scheme that works for you, you’ll wonder why you ever thought Star Fox Zero seemed daunting.

Going into some of Star Fox Zero ‘s other modes offers additional experiences that are both entertaining and educational. The training missions are informative, but don’t keep the training wheels on for too long. The challenge mode helps you take the skills you’ve earned and put them to proper use, showing you’re a master. And the rewards you get for earning trophies from missions, well, let’s say they’re another means of encouraging you to keep trying new things and coming back to the game.

Really, the controls are the only element of Star Fox Zero that can give someone pause, though I should note that everything about them is improved from last year’s disappointing E3 demo. It’s an incredibly solid endeavor otherwise. Visually, it’s stunning. The new voice acting is spot on. It takes chances when offering new paths through levels, especially when you wouldn’t expect it. There are plenty of extra modes to go through. It’s like there’s always something to do, once you work out how to do it.

The packed-in Star Fox Guard is additional proof of Nintendo’s desire to innovate. It shows that it isn’t only Star Fox Zero that can take chances and give people opportunities to handle missions in unexpected ways. It’s an amazing tower-defense game with an unusual gimmick that works so well. Plus, it contains extra missions and a World Rivals system that give you new reasons to return, even after the story is done.

Star Fox Zero is, simply put, a great Wii U game. While the control scheme is unconventional, it’s fitting for a game that goes out of its way to surprise you with additional modes, trophy rewards, hidden locations, and a spin-off with gameplay never before attempted within the series. Which, in a way makes sense. Star Fox 64 was incredible, after all. Of course a game inspired by it would be amazing in its own right. And Star Fox Zero is. Once you find your footing, you’ll be proud to be part of Team Star Fox.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 5.0 Graphics
Star Fox Zero is absolutely gorgeous. The world, ships, and characters look great. 3.5 Control
There’s an adjustment period while learning how to use the GamePad in conjunction with the TV screen, but once you find your groove, Star Fox Zero’s controls make sense. 5.0 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The voice acting is wonderful and the soundtrack’s amazing. 5.0 Play Value
There is so much to do with Star Fox Zero. The game is full of secrets and extra modes. 4.8 Overall Rating – Must Buy
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.