The Bottom Line
Star Fox: Assault comes to the GameCube as the true-spirited sequel to Star Fox 64, offering space battles and Arwing combat in a way not seen since the previous system. Obviously on a return journey to its roots after the franchise’s excursion to Zelda-like gameplay in Adventures, Star Fox: Assault could have been a glorious return to the flying that made it famous. Unfortunately it still has a long way to go if it wants to reclaim the fan-base that’s helped the ship-piloting fox to endure.
Pros
- Returns a bit to the gameplay that made the series great.
- Cinematic, and beautiful if you like the style.
Cons
- Too little flying, too much everything else.
- Doesn't live up to Star Fox standards.
Description
- Return to the Star Fox universe to once again battle evil.
- Mixed gameplay, combining ground, tank, and aerial combat.
- Beautiful cinematic graphics that hold true to the series.
Guide Review - Star Fox: Assault Review (GCN)
Star Fox hasn’t had a game honest to the original SuperNES version since the N64 disappeared, considering Star Fox: Adventures pretty much left that flying stuff alone. Assault, on the other hand, is a title that focuses more on flying, but fails to make the full transition back to traditional game dynamics and ends up somewhere between Adventures and Star Fox 64. You’ll find yourself battling insect-like aliens with companions that act independently until they’re in trouble, and serve to lend a “larger universe” feel to the environment more than to offer actual blasting assistance. The story lends itself to grandiose play, and it’s fun participating in a war that’s bigger than just you; some of the larger space battles are truly cinematic treats. Where Assault fails is when it leaves the air, putting you on the ground with less than perfect controls. It’s not so much that these ground bits are bad; they’re just nothing substantial compared to anything in an Arwing, and they take up a big chunk of the game. Star Fox offers split-screen multiplayer support, but like many multiplayer titles on this generation of Nintendo hardware, it’s not really worth a tremendous amount of your time. The entire experience ends after about two afternoons, and then you’re left with nothing but the un-lockable stuff to keep you busy. In the end, Star Fox isn’t a complete failure as a game; it just doesn’t come close to the standards of past versions.
