The Star Fox series has returned after nine years with the remake title, 'Star Fox'.
The Star Fox series is famous for its dedicated fan base. The original title, which debuted on the Family Computer, made its mark by showcasing the appeal of 3D shooting, a genre that was unfamiliar at the time. The subsequent release, Star Fox 64, was hailed as the definitive version of the series and was even credited with setting the direction for all future installments.
However, that glory did not last. While the series continued through titles like Star Fox Adventures, Assault, Command, Zero, and Star Fox 2—which was canceled but eventually released via the Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Family Computer in 2017—none could surpass the high bar set by Star Fox 64. Gradually, the series lost its presence and entered a long period of silence.
This makes the arrival of the new 'Star Fox' all the more unexpected. Not only has a series once thought to have little chance of revival returned, but it has done so as a modern remake of Star Fox 64, the title that symbolizes the series' golden age.
With everyone's expectations riding on it, 'Star Fox' was officially released on July 2. While it boasts significantly improved visuals and satisfying shooting mechanics, it is also deeply shadowed by shortcomings that cannot be ignored.
Hidden Depth Within a Seemingly Simple Rail Shooter
If you are playing 'Star Fox' for the first time, you might mistake it for a casual, arcade-style flight rail shooter. Given the comparison to modern flight shooters like the Ace Combat series or War Thunder, such a first impression is understandable. Furthermore, since it follows a set path rather than offering a free-flight 'All-Range Mode' at all times, labeling it a flight 'rail shooter' is not entirely inaccurate.
Combined with its arcade-like visuals, this structure makes the game appear simple at first glance. However, that is merely a first impression. Beneath its casual exterior, 'Star Fox' possesses a hidden depth that becomes more engaging the deeper you dive.
The stage structure is a prime example. While it follows the basic rail shooter format, it is not a simple matter of following a fixed route. Each stage contains hidden unlockable elements; by fulfilling certain conditions—such as protecting allies, passing through specific obstacles, or quickly eliminating enemies—players can open secret routes and encounter bosses different from those on the standard path. This provides the motivation to replay stages that only take 5–6 minutes to clear.
Naturally, achieving these hidden objectives requires more than just slightly better controls. While the game's visuals might lead one to mistake Star Fox for a casual title, that is merely a surface-level impression; beneath it lies a deep and sophisticated control system.
For instance, you must tilt your wings to move quickly side-to-side, or hit the brakes to let an enemy chasing you fly ahead so you can turn the tables. Beyond that, mastering maneuvers like somersaults, U-turns, boosts, and the 'rolling' move to deflect enemy fire is essential for tackling the aforementioned hidden goals and high-difficulty enemies.
This control system truly shines during boss battles. While most basic enemies can be easily dispatched by locking on and firing charged shots, some enemies and bosses cannot be locked on. Naturally, you are forced to engage these foes in dogfights using your standard laser, which makes mastering the control system all the more critical.
Bosses also feature various mechanics for the player to clear. They have patterns that are intuitive yet punishing if you let your guard down, such as horizontal sweeping attacks that must be dodged vertically, or screen-filling attacks that require a somersault to fly over. Every time you face these bosses, you are reminded that 'Star Fox' possesses a control system that is as deep as it is simple.
Beyond unlocking secret routes, there is also the medal system. While unlocking secret routes requires only a modest effort, earning medals demands the player's absolute best. As mentioned, this requires not only keeping all allies alive but also achieving a certain score and meeting various other conditions. On Expert difficulty, it gets even tougher, with added time limits or requirements to defeat enemies without using specific maneuvers like somersaults or U-turns. At this point, the arcade feel is gone; you truly have to become a 'Top Gun.
That is not to say 'Star Fox' is an overly difficult flight shooter. These challenges are essentially optional goals for those who want to collect medals or take down the game's few high-difficulty enemies. While it would be ideal to pilot your Arwing as skillfully as Maverick, you can have a perfectly fine time without doing so. In short, it is a game that anyone can enjoy, but one that offers a control system that becomes more rewarding the more you master it.
While 'Star Fox' offers shooting fun on many levels, it does have its drawbacks—namely, that it feels like a dish we've tasted many times before. Even setting aside the iconic Arwing, the Landmaster tank and the Blue Marine submarine are exactly as they were in previous titles. Of course, completely overhauling their controls or characteristics is a delicate task that could risk damaging the original rather than transcending it. Still, as a remake and the first new entry in nine years, the lack of significant changes feels somewhat disappointing.
Considering that Star Fox Zero introduced the new Gyrowing, it is a shame that this remake didn't include at least one new vehicle.
A Scenario That Barely Moves Beyond the Original
Although 'Star Fox' is a modern remake that captures the spirit of the Star Fox series and the original Star Fox 64, it is not without its flaws. I previously mentioned the lack of new vehicles, but if that is only a minor disappointment, the stage structure and unchanging scenario—which have remained largely the same for over 30 years since the 1993 original—are beyond disappointing; they are frustrating.
Let's talk about 'Star Fox' for a moment. This is the eighth title in the series, but it is not a numbered sequel. Strictly speaking, it is the second remake of Star Fox 64. The disappointment in the scenario stems from this. The issue isn't the remake itself, but the fact that the same story has been repeated for far too long.
From the original's reboot in Star Fox 64, to the 3DS remake, and the Wii U's Star Fox Zero, which attempted another reboot and reinterpretation, the series has undergone numerous remakes and reboots. Yet, it has failed to move forward, ultimately leading to the decision to remake Star Fox 64 once again for 'Star Fox'.
Of course, one cannot blame the decision to modernize Star Fox 64—the series' peak in terms of perfection—to lay the groundwork for a comeback. However, from another perspective, this is proof that the Star Fox series has yet to take a proper step forward. The series has remained stuck in a loop of repeating the success of the original, and 'Star Fox' has ultimately failed to break free from that cycle.
While it is understandable that the core systems and the series' signature shooting feel must be maintained, the fact that the story and scenario structure have not changed significantly since 1993 is hard to view favorably. Fans who have been waiting for a sequel are bound to be disappointed if all they get is the same old flavor and the same old story.
At least the story itself can be understood, given that it is a remake. Since it is a modern reinterpretation rather than a complete overhaul, the basic plot is bound to remain, even with minor changes.
The problem is that the scenario structure itself remains unchanged. 'Star Fox' faithfully follows—or, to put it less kindly, copies—the existing structure that starts in Corneria and ends in Venom. This is why it is disappointing that they didn't at least enrich the scenario by adding more stages, even if the beginning and end remained the same.
I mentioned earlier that the game encourages replayability through hidden routes and medals, but this is a polarizing element. For gamers aiming to find every secret route and boss and earn every medal, these elements compensate for the short stage structure. However, for those who don't care for such things, these replay elements might actually feel like a drawback.
Furthermore, while medals are optional challenges that you can ignore, certain routes lead to the 'true ending,' making them effectively mandatory. Having to replay a stage because you missed a goal by a hair's breadth can certainly be stressful for some.
Of course, it's not as if there are no changes to the scenario. A notable addition is the large number of cutscenes between stages. While previous titles only featured short briefings with General Pepper, 'Star Fox' adds character dialogue and interactions, which clarifies character personalities and bolsters the story.
The fact that dialogue changes subtly depending on the route chosen is also noteworthy. For example, when heading to the Area 6 stage, the dialogue changes based on which routes (stages) you took to get there and whether you achieved certain hidden goals. While not a major change, it goes without saying that it makes the game more immersive.
However, it is true that this cannot be considered a fundamental improvement. Just as the visuals were improved for the remake, it is fair to say that the presentation was also slightly enhanced. If the visuals saw a noticeable improvement, the scenario, to be blunt, has only moved half a step forward from the original, thanks to these presentation tweaks.
Constant Remakes: It's Time to Move Forward
Star Fox is a title that evokes complex feelings in many ways. As the second remake of Star Fox 64, it successfully captures the spirit of the original while introducing its own distinct improvements. In that sense, long-time fans of the series will certainly find it satisfying. The same holds true for newcomers; ironically, perhaps thanks to the various reboots and remakes, there is no barrier to understanding the story even without having played the previous entries. Furthermore, its nature as a casual rail shooter significantly lowers the barrier to entry.
The problem is whether 'Star Fox' can be considered a perfect remake from the perspective of existing fans. It is certainly not a bad game, but it stops right there. 'Star Fox' leaves many questions as to whether it can be considered a title that transcends the original or serves as a foundation for the series' revival.
Because the series has repeated reboots and remakes so many times, the scenario itself has failed to progress, and the structure of starting in Corneria and ending in Venom has been repeated over and over. While the improvements to the combat system and visuals while maintaining the original's spirit will satisfy fans, it is precisely why the game still feels disappointing.
Despite being one of Nintendo's representative IPs, the Star Fox series has not been very prominent. While the genre's barrier to entry is a factor, that alone is not enough to explain it. Personally, I believe the biggest reason is the cycle of reboots and remakes. It is always the same feeling, the same story we have seen before.
The Star Fox series has returned to the beginning through another remake. It is time to stop the reboots and remakes. Isn't the Star Fox team known for taking on near-impossible missions? The Star Fox series should follow their lead and take the risk of walking a path it has never traveled before. I hope 'Star Fox' serves as the stepping stone and the beginning of that journey.
- Satisfying shooting mechanics
- Immersive voice acting
- Lacks depth in the scenario
- Polarizing control feel
- Short playtime of about 3–4 hours
Review Platform: NSW2 (Official Release Version)
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