Starfox Adventures (US Version)

Published by Nintendo
Developed by Rare
Platform: GameCube (US)
Price £39.99 (£47.99 for US import)
Released: 22nd Nov 2002 in UK for PAL version

Two years ago, Rare intended to release a role playing adventure game called Dinosaur Planet for the N64. Gaming myth would have it, that seeing the physical similarity between that game's hero, Sabre, and his own creation Starfox's Fox McCloud, Shigeru Miyamoto suggested that the two be combined. A couple of years and a new console later, Starfox Adventures is the end result.

The game starts with you controlling a female fox character, called Krystal. She is soon captured by the game's nemesis, General Scales. He is literally ripping apart Dinosaur Planet, in the search for four Spell Stones, which will bring him ultimate power.

Then, answering a distress call from the shattered planet, enters the Starfox Team.

You then control Fox McCloud in a Zelda-esque adventure, travelling through underground mines, marshy swamps and seaside villages, in a quest to recapture the four Spell Stones, and reform the shattered planet.

On your adventure, you are soon joined by a dinosaur sidekick, Prince Tricky, who will faithfully follow Fox around and help his quest by digging tunnels, starting fires or uncovering buried items, when Fox asks him to.

The opening segment follows Rare's trademark collect-'em-up style of game play, with Fox having to search for and find various items, in order to allow progression beyond the initial hub environment.

When new areas have been reached, the game progresses, with Fox having to explore Zelda-esque dungeons and temples, in order to find the four Spell Stones.

Being a Starfox game, there are, of course, times when Fox jumps into his Arwing fighter. These moments are used as link segments when travelling between the different shattered parts of the planet.

The game play, although not original, is rewarding, and progression to new areas and the finding of new items and abilities, gives a great sense of achievement.

The game's graphics are excellent, with great use of textures and lighting. Much has been written about Fox and Krystal's fur shading, and the result is extremely effective, even in close up. Character and landscape designs are also very attractive, and there is no fogging or pop-up to spoil the effect.

Sound is also of a high standard, with excellent voice acting, and an effective score which includes new renditions of previous Starfox themes.

The control scheme is almost an exact copy of Zelda's. It has automatic jumping and use of the L trigger to centre the camera. The camera works well, giving you a clear view of your surroundings at all times.

There are no loading screens, with only the slightest pause (a la Halo on the XBOX), as the information is transferred from the disk.

Generally, everything is deaf gamer friendly. All cut scenes and in-game dialogue is subtitled by default, and is clear and easy to read.

However, there are a few omissions. Prince Tricky may give simple verbal clues as to what to do next - "feed me"; "what's this?" and so forth - these are not subtitled. Fortunately, a visual clue is given, usually a question mark or exclamation mark appearing over Prince Tricky's head, as he looks at a specific spot or object which is interesting him.

Additionally, there are two occasions when Fox is searching for companions he has been separated from. They call out for help or shout his name. Again, their cries for help are not subtitled. Fortunately, the sound of their voice doesn't actually help you in finding them. It is at a constant volume and doesn't get louder when you approach where they are hidden.

The shopkeeper (of the store where you buy items) sometimes talks to himself - nothing to do with the story or anything you need to know. Again, this is not subtitled.

These are actually quite minor omissions and should not spoil anyone's enjoyment or ability to play the game.

The game does have its faults. Although Starfox Adventures is very typical of Zelda in structure and design, it never manages to better its inspiration. The actual puzzles and sub-quests aren't as involving. The dungeons and temples that Fox explores, are not as large or as complex in design.

The Arwing levels are few and far between, and are extremely short, lasting on average no more than a minute. They are all set in space, with simplistic game play involving merely flying through a set number of gold rings, before you reach the end of the level.

Similarly, battles between Fox and the majority of his land based enemies, although looking attractive with a nice light blur effect behind his lance weapon, are very simplistic and lack strategy, involving merely repeatedly pressing the A button.

The game is generally very easy. Despite the large amount of tasks that you have to undertake, most gamers will complete it in under twenty to twenty-five hours.

Overall Game Rating: 7.0/10 In summary, if you would like a lightweight, Zelda-esque adventure, wrapped in excellent graphics and sound, which is deaf gamer friendly, then look no further than Starfox Adventures.

Deaf Gamers comment: For deaf gamers, there are a few omissions, but nothing that would subtract from your enjoyment or ability to play the game.

Reviewed by Alf