- DS ››
- Fly ››
- Star Fox Command
Star Fox Command
- August 28, 2006 11:59 AM PST
- Email this!
The classic Star Fox franchise finally makes an appearance on the DS and blends old-school elements with newer features unique to the handheld, resulting in a splendid addition to the Star Fox legacy.
- GamePro Score
- User Score
- Write your review!
The gang's all here
At first, we weren't convinced that the DS could handle the complex controls needed to navigate a spaceship in 3D. Thankfully, we were wrongthe DS proves worthy of the challenge. Ship movement is controlled by the stylus in an intuitive manner: slide the stylus toward the bottom-right side of the screen and your ship will pitch down while sharply turning right, while moving the stylus in a circular motion will put you in a barrel roll.
More complex commands, like looping over enemies, require a tap of a button on your main radar screen, but are still easily positioned and simple to execute when needed. In all, the controls never feel overly forced or unnatural, a testament to the flexibility of the dual-screens.
The radar screen also features the icons for evasive maneuvers
Graphically, the game stays true to its heritage when it comes to on-screen action, but the game also introduces a new RTS strategy element that you control in between combat. Thankfully it's well implemented and rather unobtrusive--simply drag your fighters where you want them to go or attack. Multiplayer, either through Nintendo's Wi-Fi connection, or through a single cartridge, is also available and a blast to play.
Unfortunately, there are some minor issues that keep Star Fox Command from becoming a truly spectacular title. The maps are small and cramped and the game is just too short. The main story only takes 5 hours to complete, and though there are some replayable parts, the additional content isn't enough to keep you coming back.
However, the fast-paced Star Fox action, easy controls, and the fun multiplayer portions definitely outweigh the bad. Gamers of all shapes and sizes should let Star Fox Command seize control of their DS.
