Star Fox Switch 2 Review
The biggest problem with Star Fox on Switch 2 is the price and this is coming from a staunch defender of Nintendo pricing in general. For an on-rails shooter that only takes seven levels to finish, can be beaten in under two hours and is a near frame by frame remake of Star Fox 64 (which is a three decade old experience), it’s a tough proposition. However, Star Fox on Switch 2 can provide good value, it just depends what you want from the experience?
IS STAR FOX ON SWITCH 2 TOO EXPENSIVE?
To begin with Star Fox isn’t designed to be beaten just once. It’s designed to be replayed multiple times, so that you can find the different paths to alternate levels and unlock new objectives. Furthermore, Star Fox is not a lazy remake. The visuals are quite impressive and it’s likely the best looking game on Switch 2 so far. This includes gameplay, but it also includes brand new, fully voiced cutscenes that not only look great, but make the experience feel more complete. One of the other things to make the experience more complete is that you can find holograms that provide greater lore into the Star Fox universe. The orchestral soundtrack is very impressive and captures the feeling of being in another galaxy, fighting amongst the stars.
There are also a variety of new ways to play including a new challenge mode where you can replay missions after you complete them to unlock a different way to play them. Battle mode is also a new addition where you can play a variety of ways in 4v4. This can be done with bots, local or online. Finally, there is also local co-op for the campaign where you can play two players on the same system with one person controlling the flight and one person controlling the shooting. If this is Nintendo testing the water for the proper return of Star Fox, they have definitely put their best foot forward. Star Fox on Switch 2 doesn’t take any chances with the time tested blueprint, but hopefully a return would stretch the limits of what an on-rails shooter can be.
Coincidentally, I just finished playing a preview of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis at Summer Game Fest, which is being called a reimagining of the original Tomb Raider from 1996, and it was great, but it didn’t spark up any nostalgia. Star Fox, on the other hand will provide a warm and fuzzy feeling for those who were there decades ago. If you’re just going to play Star Fox for the campaign, you might come away disappointed. However, if you’re the kind of player who likes to revisit missions looking for branching paths to alternate levels and getting all the medals, Star Fox provides plenty of reason to keep coming back.
IS STAR FOX ON SWITCH 2 WORTH IT?
The value of Star Fox is subjective. What is objective is that Star Fox 64 was a revolution when it released. It’s still one of the best on-rails shooters and this is a very impressive remake that has made a thirty year old game look, sound and feel fresh. If you’re old enough to remember buying the huge box Star Fox 64 came in with the Rumble Pak, Star Fox on Switch 2 is transportive and if you’ve never piloted an arwing, this remake serves a reminder why Star Fox 64 is one of the greatest on-rails shooters of all time.
