| StarFox Adventures Gameplay: Part 3D platformer, part action RPG( if you believe such a thing exists.) It plays a lot like Legend of Zelda:Ocarina of Time, but with more platform hopping(which is performed by an auto-jump feature, as there is no jump button.) The battle setup is nearly identical to OoT, you lock on, and attack with your staff. As for the rest of the game, its your basic "go here, find this, solve a puzzle,move on." Although there are some other elements thrown in, such as whenever you go to a new planet(or planet piece, as its one world, just broken apart) you have got to go through a shotter type level (like the old school starfox games.) Or theres levels where you mount the dinosaurs, and ride them, or you can get on a "hover-snowmobile" craft, as I've named it. Graphics: Now this is where the game shines. I wasn't too hyped for this game, so my expectations weren't as high as some peoples might have been, but this game has overly impressed me! From the very beginning when you start and see a downpour of rain, right up to lush green planets, or the volanic levels, the game looks great. All down with low-to-no slowdown(maybe a little when fighting many enemies.) This game really shows what thr gamecube is capable of. It really is too bad Rare with now be with Micro$oft. Sounds and Effects: Again this game shines. The music gets rocking at the right times, and subdues when needed. Two quick musical highlights are in the intro when slippy is listening to the jukebox, i just love the riff playing, and the second is when kyrstal get trapped in the uhhh.....crystal. The music just exudes this aura. As for the sound effects, the dinos sound cool. They speak their own language until slippy fixes a translator so Fox can understand them. Control: This is where the game falters, just a bit. There are just too many actions for the Gamecubes controller. The "L" button serves a duel funtion, as camera center, and if you hold it down, the strafe button. The "Z" button put you into "head view"(first person perspective.) "A" is your main buttin with which, you can attack, open gates, confirm selections, etc, etc. The "C" stick is used to cycle through your inventory, which can get confusing when you're using the c-stick to cycle, and the d-pad to select the item. The "Y" button can be used as a shortcut for your magic attack from your staff, it comes in handy, but you end up needing more then one spell at a time. So yeah you can use a shortcut for one, but you just need to go right back to c-stick, analog selection method. Another very minor(an annoyance really) was the auto jump feature. Too many times didi I go to take a jump, but instead I fell of the ledge. Of course Fox grabs the ledge and you can just pull yourself up, but its a hassle. Overall: LIke many of the current games, its good, but does have flaws. If you want something to pass the time until the new Zelda, get this game, it will remind of the old Zeldas. It really does show off the GCN's power....lets just hope it isnt tapped out yet |