I'm glad that the player's reception seems more positive than the some critics's.
Since I'm going to gush all over SFZ, let's talk about some of the things that could've been better (that I noticed till now): * The game assumes you're going to play single player first; would've hurt it to have an option for co-op play for the campaing? Instead you need to start a mission, exit, and start again in co-op...that's stupid.
Sound option can be weird. So Playing with both tv and gamepad has a nice little touch with the voice audio coming from the gamepad, but if you want it from the tv you have to select the option to disable it, every time. I noticed while playing off tv (yeah, it's possible) and I could only hear the radio chatter, wich is a weird thing...very immersing until a cutscene starts and you hear only your ships's sound.
Frame rate is solid, exept when it's not and it shows, badly.
Vehicle controls could be more cohesive. Do the walker and landmaster really need to have strafe and turn in the left joystick while arwing and gyrocopter have it on the right stick? Yeah, land and air crafts are controlled differently...not really worth it.
Arcade mode is actually story mode, was confused at first because on the 3ds it's the other way around. Anyway, if you want a single continued play through you have to unlock Arcade mode after you finish the game the first time.
Gigarylla is a wasted opportunity for Project Giant Robot action. 3rd mission Spoiler
No monkey gundams, exept that one.
Flying in formation is super cool, and happens twice. Missed opportunity.
I still have no idea why Andross is evil, peraphs there's more context in other missions? No idea, not expecting anything there really.
It's still a reboot, hopefully this means a StarFox 1 on nx.
No multiplayer. I honestly don't care that much since I play SF mainly for the single player, but it has to be noted since it was there before, many liked it and it's an obvious aspect were SF could actually deliver a great multiplayer dogfighting. Get on it, Nintendo.
That's it, can't really think of anything else, on to the really good:
Haven't unlocked every stage, but for now SFZ levels > SF64 levels. I can't think of a single one that was better in 64 that Zero didn't surpass and then some, even Grycopeter > Submarine. But most of all it's the set pieaces, like Sector Beta Spoiler or Titania Spoiler or Fichina Spoiler or Sector Omega Spoiler.
The action is in general spectacular, there's different mechanics that come together to just emphatize the action, like the target view that marries both cinematic and gameplay perfectly, the slow motion on close encounters (one of the best thing in videogames ever), the way the arwing boost with the little firework and the corrispondent acceleration on cockpit view. Accelarating, brake, now the allarm is going beep for enemy close behind, barrel roll then somersault while charging and lock on within the cockpit and shoot for blue charge shot before the animation ends...it like mastering a combo in a fighter, just pure adrenaline and a big grin.
It's more challenging than 64, and mind you I have no problem with the controls, but the star wolf never was this good, and thanks to target view and gyro aming, the can spaz left and right, dodge attacks and somersault back to to you also Venom Spoiler. Also the boss fights are better, with other enemy ships buzzing around, and better patterns. Charging and releasing the laser at the right time can give you a blue version that's faster and stronger, getting the high score require actually being very good and I like the hidden medals during the missions.
Mastering the game actually matters, the difference between stumbleing around and being good at the game is night and day, a boss that a casual player can take up to 10min to finish can be done in a matter of seconds.
It's a reboot, but I like how the switched around with 64 levels, you can notice how one level is a mix of two or three others or how certain events happen to different characters or in different order and some bosses are in different places. It's not just 64hd.
I like the aesthetic and graphics in general. Only downside is the lack of AA, but overall it's really good, the space battles in particular are a beauty of colored backdrops and glowing lasers flying around. Then you get that moment were giant enemy ships fire lasers at you, while the arwing is doing acrobatics in target view...
The mixup of vehicles work well. This could've been a disaster but it ain't, arwing and walker are a perfect mix and changing from one to the other is fast. From arwing to walker just press target view to instantly aim at the closest enemy for easy kills. Landmaster and gravmaster don't have the same feeling, as the landmaster can lift up enough to hit higher targets, and you can only fly around for a limited time. Gyrowing is very easy on the controls, but it's deliberate slow flight can be a welcome change of rythm from action to exploration, doesn't overstay its welcome, imho a fair exchange for the submarine. The little robot is adorable. Post game Spoiler
Controls, what can be said that it isn't already, I like them, gyro should be a standard for action games going foward. Second view can be debated, but it works, use it wisely as Peppy would say. If I can give an adivce to anybody struggling: don't move around much, unlike the name, motion controls don't require much motion at all; position your vehicle, then fine tune with gyro and further fine tune with second screen if necessary. That said, I like that the movement controls are all in the sticks, i use the buttons only to change form, otherwise I wouldn't hit a face button at all. Give that fast reaction for manuvering, of course since they're all there it means you have to know how to imput correctly otherwise you'll be somersaulting instad of boosting upwards, but the payoff is real.
That's one big wall of text right there!
To conclude, I've a lot more to figure out and that's fine because SFZ is already one of the best action games I've played and without doubt the best StarFox game ever, can't wait to get back in the cockpit and dogfight with Wolf again!
8.9/10