Star Fox Zero |OT| The Fox Awakens

The sigma level is actual garbage. That combined with the asinine chicken walker controls in the other levels makes me really not want to play this any longer.
 
Nah you just need to git gud ;D

Mini guide for the last boss:

Use the chicken mode while you fight Andross.

Phase 1 (the boss has 2 hands): he has only 3 moves. When he puts his hand over you (attack 1) press A and go behind him, without shooting, you have to go away asap. When you are behind him press A to retourn a chicken and than ZL to turn the camera vs the boss. When he rise one hand to charge his attack (attack 2) shoot for a couple seconds the red stuff on the hand and than evade his assault (same way as attack 1). For the last attack, when the boss puts both his hands around you, choose 1 hand and shoot it for a while, than when he puts it closer to you evade the same way you did for attack 1,2. Continue this way until you destroy 1 hand. Now you have to go outside, dodge the laser beams (it's not that hard) and than come back to Andross for Phase 2.

Phase 2 (boss with 1 hand): at the start he's probably going to use attack 1 a few times (it's the most dangerous) so prepare to dodge it fast. Than fight like phase 1. The only difference is that he have a new attack: he rise his hand to cast a tractor beam. To save your ass you have just to keep shooting his red point into his hand (use the 1st person view). You will destroy his 2nd hand and than you have to go outside again... laser beams, and than back to the boss.

Phase 3: here Andross changes his patterns. He will try to eat you (dodge running away), or he will cast a laser beam from his mouth (to dodge it jump while in chicken mode). At some point he will try to hit you spitting debris: now you have to transform into the space ship to fly in circles around him (follow the form of the room) to dodge the debris. While you fly, in one direction, use the gamepad to shoot Andross in the face. At some point he will be stunned, so just go behind him and shoot the red part that's now exposed on his head.

The boss hits hard, but it's not that difficult when you learn his patterns.

You can just circle strafe him while in walker mode during phase three. The only time I changed to the arwing was to get behind him to attack the weak point after he was stunned.

The sigma level is actual garbage. That combined with the asinine chicken walker controls in the other levels makes me really not want to play this any longer.

What's the problem with the walker? Everything except aiming is controlled with the sticks and buttons.
 
This game screams EAD, from presentation to motion controls, PG assisted in its development but i would be cautious in calling SFZ a "platinum" game.
Now, what they learned here could be used better in future games, Star Fox or not.

It's not a Platinum game. It's not an EAD game. It's a collaboration. And I really think that comes through.
 
While it's a collaboration and not a pure PG game, it does feel like one at times. The charged shot technique feels like pure Platinum
:p
So whats the deal with Star Fox Guard, is it supposed to be free with all retail versions of the game?
It's $15 standalone on the eshop or $10 if you buy SF0 at $50, I think.
It's free at retail but the package is $60
 
I completed all the levels, even the secret ones... I did have some fun with this game, but everything - from graphics to controls, from pacing to boss battles - feels like a wasted opportunity to me.
And it makes me sad because I don't think we'll get another Star Fox soon (or even again).
 
Alright, space bird robot is dead, and thus means I have beaten every single stage this game has to offer. Although there's a spinning portal icon on Gamma, but I couldn't find anything online about a secret mission there.

Around 7 hours of gameplay.

I liked this game a lot. It felt like a proper sequel to SF64 that I've always wanted. The Walker is pretty fun to use. I'd say it was worth the 60 dollars. I could see myself going back and occasionally running through some of the more fun missions.

I suppose now I should start up Guard and see what that's about.
 
He is addressing Nintendo's game design philosophy and saying that Nintendo conforming to the gimmicks of the Wii U at this stage of its cycle is a good hint that they will also conform design around whatever NX is sure to bring to the table. I agree with him. The controls here were not designed around practicality but, rather, making use of the tablet, thus rendering it as an end and not a means.

I wouldn't say Star Fox Zero is the best example, given its long development cycle. It was announced 2 years ago with a playable demo at E3. That means it was in planning and development for some time before that.

A counter example would be Nintendo's willingness to defacto not design around 3DS's "gimmicks". As well, many of their U games use the gamepad only incidentally or simply for "off-screen" play. Even NSMB U didn't use the gamepad in any substantive manner.
 
I think the Walker controls really well. My only problem is once again barrel rolling with the stick, sometimes I'm trying to turn very quickly with the stick and I barrel roll instead. Nintendo needs to let us be able to customize the controls.
 
Nah you just need to git gud ;D

Mini guide for the last boss:

Use the chicken mode while you fight Andross.

Phase 1 (the boss has 2 hands): he has only 3 moves. When he puts his hand over you (attack 1) press A and go behind him, without shooting, you have to go away asap. When you are behind him press A to retourn a chicken and than ZL to turn the camera vs the boss. When he rise one hand to charge his attack (attack 2) shoot for a couple seconds the red stuff on the hand and than evade his assault (same way as attack 1). For the last attack, when the boss puts both his hands around you, choose 1 hand and shoot it for a while, than when he puts it closer to you evade the same way you did for attack 1,2. Continue this way until you destroy 1 hand. Now you have to go outside, dodge the laser beams (it's not that hard) and than come back to Andross for Phase 2.

Phase 2 (boss with 1 hand): at the start he's probably going to use attack 1 a few times (it's the most dangerous) so prepare to dodge it fast. Than fight like phase 1. The only difference is that he have a new attack: he rise his hand to cast a tractor beam. To save your ass you have just to keep shooting his red point into his hand (use the 1st person view). You will destroy his 2nd hand and than you have to go outside again... laser beams, and than back to the boss.

Phase 3: here Andross changes his patterns. He will try to eat you (dodge running away), or he will cast a laser beam from his mouth (to dodge it jump while in chicken mode). At some point he will try to hit you spitting debris: now you have to transform into the space ship to fly in circles around him (follow the form of the room) to dodge the debris. While you fly, in one direction, use the gamepad to shoot Andross in the face. At some point he will be stunned, so just go behind him and shoot the red part that's now exposed on his head.

The boss hits hard, but it's not that difficult when you learn his patterns.

In phase 1, attack 2 (charge slap/punch) was incredibly easy to barrel roll out of the way. Transforming is unnecessary. Attack 1 (overhead slam) can also be barrel rolled out of the way but is a little trickier.

In phase 2 I want to again emphasize saving bombs for the tractor beam and/or trying to get hyper lasers. Either one will save your ass, but you really need one of them.

In phase 3 I think that strategy is a little overcomplicated. All you have to do is strafe and shoot and you literally won't get hit at all (the debris can be shot down). By far the easiest part of the battle.

Also I found the lasers outside easier to avoid when using TV mode rather than the gamepad.
 
Nah you just need to git gud ;D

Mini guide for the last boss:

Use the chicken mode while you fight Andross.

Phase 1 (the boss has 2 hands): he has only 3 moves. When he puts his hand over you (attack 1) press A and go behind him, without shooting, you have to go away asap. When you are behind him press A to retourn a chicken and than ZL to turn the camera vs the boss. When he rise one hand to charge his attack (attack 2) shoot for a couple seconds the red stuff on the hand and than evade his assault (same way as attack 1). For the last attack, when the boss puts both his hands around you, choose 1 hand and shoot it for a while, than when he puts it closer to you evade the same way you did for attack 1,2. Continue this way until you destroy 1 hand. Now you have to go outside, dodge the laser beams (it's not that hard) and than come back to Andross for Phase 2.

Phase 2 (boss with 1 hand): at the start he's probably going to use attack 1 a few times (it's the most dangerous) so prepare to dodge it fast. Than fight like phase 1. The only difference is that he have a new attack: he rise his hand to cast a tractor beam. To save your ass you have just to keep shooting his red point into his hand (use the 1st person view). You will destroy his 2nd hand and than you have to go outside again... laser beams, and than back to the boss.

Phase 3: here Andross changes his patterns. He will try to eat you (dodge running away), or he will cast a laser beam from his mouth (to dodge it jump while in chicken mode). At some point he will try to hit you spitting debris: now you have to transform into the space ship to fly in circles around him (follow the form of the room) to dodge the debris. While you fly, in one direction, use the gamepad to shoot Andross in the face. At some point he will be stunned, so just go behind him and shoot the red part that's now exposed on his head.

The boss hits hard, but it's not that difficult when you learn his patterns.

I fully know his patterns but it is not helpful when half of the fucking screen looks like this especially if you want to dodge the lasers when outside:


Why can't they just simply put back the normal view of Arwing here instead of forcing you to do the dodging in 1st person view?
 
I mean technically Wonderful 101 and Bayonetta 2 are also collaborations but there is a difference with those and Zero.

Not really. This is a classic development collaboration, the other two were PlatinumGames produced with the standard Nintendo producer oversight. And they all were presented as such.

Even NSMB U didn't use the gamepad in any substantive manner.

But it did. People just love to ignore boost mode and what it added to expert play and challenge mode.
 
Just fly on the bottom of the screen. Almost no need to dodge anymore.
At least that was what i did.

There is one laser always hitting the bottom and the screen and if you try to dive hard the control bounces your reticle back up further messing with your flying. The error margin of hitting the hand interrupting their attack is non-existent, you can't afford missing any shot especially in the one hand phase with the traction beam attack, if you miss even one shot you get grabbed. It is incredible how it even get through play testing.
 
Why can't they just simply put back the normal view of Arwing here instead of forcing you to do the dodging in 1st person view?

You don't dodge lasers in first-person view. You do it in third-person view by moving only vertically. If you positioned yourself correctly, the dodging in almost like in 2D scroll shooters.

The error margin of hitting the hand interrupting their attack is non-existent, you can't afford missing any shot especially in the one hand phase with the traction beam attack, if you miss even one shot you get grabbed. It is incredible how it even get through play testing.

Use twin lasers, hyper lasers or bombs, and don't forget pulling back. The game's fine.
 
You don't dodge lasers in first-person view. You do it in third-person view by moving only vertically. If you positioned yourself correctly, the dodging in almost like in 2D scroll shooters.



Use twin lasers, hyper lasers or bombs, and don't forget pulling back. The game's fine.

I used all bombs on the two hand smash attack and I don't have the luxury of upgraded lasers after dying and start anew.
 
The controls has a learning curve that's for sure and the more you play the more you enjoy it, but there are several things I don't like, maybe just because I'm a terrible player lol!

For example, you can drop bombs clicking the right stick or the R button. I see myself wasting them very often clicking the right stick accidentally while braking/boosting the vehicle. It infuriates me lol! I wish I could change that control configuration.

Also, you apparently can make U-turn pressing down both L and R sticks and the somersault pressing L stick down and R stick up. Well it doesn't work for me. Ever. I tried slowly, quickly, sequentially and at the same time. I don't know what the hell I'm doing wrong but I just can't do those movements with that combinations: I need to use L stick down + B and X to make them.

I'm not sure if it's something with me but in the desert planet while I was fighting the amazing boss, the Landmaster started to move funny like if the gyro controls didn't work correctly. It was frustrating because I remember how easy and fun was to use this vehicle in Lylat Wars (SF64).

Doing barrel rolls is necessary when a lot of enemies starts shooting at you but pressing twice the R stick left of right is not quick enough IMO.

And some minor complaint: There is no option in the game to change the voices! The only way is to change the language in the console settings but it changes everything not just the voices. Spanish voices are terrible, they sound like the actors are just reading and the bad guys seems mostly bored lol. Oh, well... To the hell with my old memories from Lylat Wars :(

Oh! And the music, is amazing but the volume is so low I barely can hear it in the game.

I'm at Venom right now fighting Andross for the first time and he's kicking my ass lol. I'll update the impressions when I finish the game and see all the planets. I hope I can get better with these controls because it's the only thing causing me trouble.
 
Spoilery question: Is "yarrr harr harr" "Oh shoot!" pirate guy from Zoness back in this? Was always next to the Train Guy as my favourite boss VA.
 
Don't know if it's been posted but you can barrel roll by moving the right stick from left to right or right to left quickly. Much easier than double-tapping left or right.
 
I used all bombs on the two hand smash attack and I don't have the luxury of upgraded lasers after dying and start anew.

But twin lasers are spawned by
defeating the first hand, and Andross doesn't use the grapple beam when both hands are present...

Don't know if it's been posted but you can barrel roll by moving the right stick from left to right or right to left quickly. Much easier than double-tapping left or right.

Yes. Unless I'm in a land vehicle and need to roll in specific direction, I just shake the stick horizontally.
 
The controls has a learning curve that's for sure and the more you play the more you enjoy it, but there are several things I don't like, maybe just because I'm a terrible player lol!

For example, you can drop bombs clicking the right stick or the R button. I see myself wasting them very often clicking the right stick accidentally while braking/boosting the vehicle. It infuriates me lol! I wish I could change that control configuration.

Also, you apparently can make U-turn pressing down both L and R sticks and the somersault pressing L stick down and R stick up. Well it doesn't work for me. Ever. I tried slowly, quickly, sequentially and at the same time. I don't know what the hell I'm doing wrong but I just can't do those movements with that combinations: I need to use L stick down + B and X to make them.

I'm not sure if it's something with me but in the desert planet while I was fighting the amazing boss, the Landmaster started to move funny like if the gyro controls didn't work correctly. It was frustrating because I remember how easy and fun was to use this vehicle in Lylat Wars (SF64).

Doing barrel rolls is necessary when a lot of enemies starts shooting at you but pressing twice the R stick left of right is not quick enough IMO.

And some minor complaint: There is no option in the game to change the voices! The only way is to change the language in the console settings but it changes everything not just the voices. Spanish voices are terrible, they sound like the actors are just reading and the bad guys seems mostly bored lol. Oh, well... To the hell with my old memories from Lylat Wars :(

Oh! And the music, is amazing but the volume is so low I barely can hear it in the game.

I'm at Venom right now fighting Andross for the first time and he's kicking my ass lol. I'll update the impressions when I finish the game and see all the planets. I hope I can get better with these controls because it's the only thing causing me trouble.

Having somersault and U-turn on L and R stick is plain stupid and will only cause plenty of misclick problems, X and B button works just fine. And bomb on R stick is also... just clueless what is the control designer thinking right here.
 
There is one laser always hitting the bottom and the screen and if you try to dive hard the control bounces your reticle back up further messing with your flying. The error margin of hitting the hand interrupting their attack is non-existent, you can't afford missing any shot especially in the one hand phase with the traction beam attack, if you miss even one shot you get grabbed. It is incredible how it even get through play testing.
Once I learned his patterns he became a cake walk. You really just need to play better, there is nothing wrong with the fight. The lasers on the outside are the easiest, just fly to the bottom and dodge between the 2 lasers down there, they are always in the same place. After you destroy one hand you need to get the twin lasers and shoot the other hand when he grabs you, just aim with the game pad and you shouldn't have any trouble. Don't forget to barrel roll away from all of his other attacks too.
 
But twin lasers are spawned by
defeating the first hand, and Andross doesn't use the grapple beam when both hands are present...

I'm aware of that! Still with
twin lasers the grapple beam is still very tight to interrupt and with how the camera is shaking in 1st person view trying to hit with more shots is just crazy.
 
Why can't they just simply put back the normal view of Arwing here instead of forcing you to do the dodging in 1st person view?

would it be too much to ask to spoiler tag a final boss fight image two days after release or just post a link instead of embedding it?
 
I just got this game and wow the controls. I'm getting the hang of it in the opening training course. Then I start the main game and mess it all up somehow. I was under the impression one of the left buttons was to shoot because ZR is to use motion controls. But basically motion controls can be turned off, except in shooting where it will always wobble and be imprecise because you thought you weren't using motion controls.
I died in Phase 2 lol. I felt like I needed 3 hands to play.


Heh I don't understand this, the main thing the controls do is allow a scheme the would normally actually require 3 hands to be playable by a normal 2 handed human. It's brilliant!
 
Also, you apparently can make U-turn pressing down both L and R sticks and the somersault pressing L stick down and R stick up. Well it doesn't work for me. Ever. I tried slowly, quickly, sequentially and at the same time. I don't know what the hell I'm doing wrong but I just can't do those movements with that combinations: I need to use L stick down + B and X to make them.

Huh???? You're completely reading the UI prompts wrong.

It's telling you to pull the L-STICK and R-STICK up/down.

U-turn = L-stick & R-stick down (or press B)
Somersault = L-stick down & R-stick up (or press X)

arwingchsqx.jpg


Bonus Walker controls, for those with turning problems the quick turn might be helpful...

walkerz1sg2.jpg
 
Well I feel like a huge idiot, I found the reason why I was missing a medal in Sector Gamma. Turns out,
When you collect the 3 gold rings, the medal appears on the nose of the Great Fox!
 
Zero's Aquarosa, Fortuna, Salvadora, Sector B and Sector Y are already some of my favorite levels in the series. I haven't reached the last level yet, though. Still like six levels I haven't played. This game is so good!
 
And we told you that you need to actually pick up a medal! :P

Yeah I thought you guys thought that I was thinking each golden ring was a medal, now that the medal just appeared after that. Hence why I feel like a huge idiot right now xD

Anyways, off to get the rest of the medals, will probably get that done by tomorrow or so!
 
Huh???? You're completely reading the UI prompts wrong.

It's telling you to pull the L-STICK and R-STICK up/down.

U-turn = L-stick & R-stick down (or press B)
Somersault = L-stick down & R-stick up (or press X)
That was what I meant, sorry, my english is rubbish lol. I pull the sticks but don't work. Only using the alternative with the B and X buttons. I have the game in my language (f***ing voices -__-) so it's not a problem of misunderstanding the manual ;) I'll keep trying in training mode, though.

Thank you for your help! ^^
 
Anyone else annoyed that a good portion of the secret levels are
rehashed Star Wolf fights and the asteroid belt with a boss
?
 
While the TV camera goes into "cinematic view", watch the GamePad screen (so you can see the direction you are flying in) and use the TV as a rear mirror of sorts. This will help you with boss fights and all-range dogfights.

Also, play other Training Mode missions.

You are supposed to use the cockpit view during these moments. Only occasional glancing at the TV to get an idea about your surroundings.

This sounds counter-intuitive. I had thought the purpose of the gamepad view was to allow you to shoot in directions not visible on the TV... it seems backwards that you have to use the gamepad instead to look ahead and avoid obstacles, and I don't really understand the value of getting a side-on view of your ship on the TV. You can't see the enemies behind you or the objects in front of you most of the time... it seems like the mode was tailored for specific boss fights where the gimmick will be utilized in a few specific ways, not something that was designed to enhance all of the general gameplay. It's really awkward to control the arwing with the angles the locked-on camera gives you, and that's not even including the added hassle of dealing with the gyro screen.

I know that this takes a lot of practice to adjust to, but my feeling is that I don't care at all to get good at this game. I've played a lot of challenging games, like Wonderful101, where I could sense the fun of the gameplay and knew to stick with it. Here, it just seems blatantly obvious that this is a gimmicky scheme attempting to bolster the value of the gamepad, and it's working against the game itself rather than enhancing it. I'm not exactly ecstatic about putting hours into a scheme like that just so I can enjoy the game itself (which I actually think is pretty fun so far aside from the controls).
 
Having somersault and U-turn on L and R stick is plain stupid and will only cause plenty of misclick problems, X and B button works just fine. And bomb on R stick is also... just clueless what is the control designer thinking right here.

The controls are set up that way so that you can perform every action in the game without needing to move your thumbs off of the analog sticks. Once you acclimate, it all works very well.
 
Zero's Aquarosa, Fortuna, Salvadora, Sector B and Sector Y are already some of my favorite levels in the series. I haven't reached the last level yet, though. Still like six levels I haven't played. This game is so good!
Wait for Sector Ω with that boss and that music!
 
Man, the gameplay in Zero is just incredible. It makes SF64 feel so shallow and simplistic by comparison. The stuff you can pull off in Zero is just amazing. These controls are godlike once you understand them. It kind of makes me bummed out thinking what other great concepts the GamePad could enable... Hopefully the NX will have a GamePad, too.
 
Anyone else annoyed that a good portion of the secret levels are
rehashed Star Wolf fights and the asteroid belt with a boss
?

Yeah. It is nice to
be able to fire up a level to fight Star Wolf though. I kinda wish there was one with the whole team present. I would have preferred actual new levels though.
 
You are supposed to use the cockpit view during these moments. Only occasional glancing at the TV to get an idea about your surroundings. I think the game even encourages you to swap the cockpit view onto the TV when it happens.

While the TV camera goes into "cinematic view", watch the GamePad screen (so you can see the direction you are flying in) and use the TV as a rear mirror of sorts.

[...] it seems backwards that you have to use the gamepad instead to look ahead and avoid obstacles,

I would say only occasional look at your gamepad. Whenever you have to use the first person mode, swap the view onto your TV. Which advantage would looking on the gamepad have? I even do that while playing with the I-Droid.
 
That was what I meant, sorry, my english is rubbish lol. I pull the sticks but don't work. Only using the alternative with the B and X buttons. I have the game in my language (f***ing voices -__-) so it's not a problem of misunderstanding the manual ;) I'll keep trying in training mode, though.

Thank you for your help! ^^

Oh, okay. That makes sense then. It definitely works. Make sure to really do it at the same time. Just a quick flick.
 
I'm glad Aquarosa and Salvadora are their own levels. They're short and simple once you understand them but still skill-based and engaging. Thrilling missions!

On a side note, Kat really really REALLY wants everyone to know that she's a lady.

And on yet another note: "For sharper shootin', use yer motion controls!"
 
What ever floats your boat I guess. Still I hope your boat sinks! All range mode is as fun as it ever was!
All-range mode is AWESOME in this game. They remind me of the Endor space battle from Rogue Leader, but on steroids, and with Kat reminding everyone that she's a lady. (Reminder to Nintendo: I will BUY her ship as DLC. Please Nintendo, lemme have it!)
 
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