Star Fox Command-Video Review

[Kamalot]

Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/07/a-video-review-of-star-fox-command/) is linking to a 9-min video review of the Nintendo DS' recently released (in Japan) Star Fox Command. The review covers controls (all touch screen except shooting) and the WiFi online play portion.

Can we expect a large Evil Avatar friend code exchange when this launches here?

[Kefkataran]

Is it just me, or does this not seem that good? The control looks awkward, but it could be better once I actually try myself. Part of the problem might just be the reviewers totally disinterested tone. "Blah, blah, blah, we don't care." :\

[Kamalot]

On a personal level, I didn't care for the reviewer's style. He kept blowing things off saying, "we don't care about that" when , in fact, I do care.

[Kamalot]

Part of the problem might just be the reviewers totally disinterested tone. "Blah, blah, blah, we don't care." :\Yeah. I agree. I like seeing the game in action, but I don'tknow if you could find a more disinterested person to do the review.

[Camel]

I'm excited for the game, but a little bit concerned with how much you have to use the touch screen. I know that sounds dumb since the touch screen is such a big part of the DS, but I seem to have problems in other games getting precise movements down (my high Brain Age is partly because of my inability to draw 5's and 9's correctly). Plus I get paranoid wherever I have to spin the stylus on the screen a bunch (ala Ouendan). I always worry that I am ruining and scratching my screen up. I love Star Fox though, so if the reviews come back positive I will give it a shot.

[Manzy]

Most of the time, when he said, "we really don't care about that" I believe he was referring to the japanese text, which I can only assume he couldn't read? All in all though, it was a boring review.

[soco]

there was a mario hoops game or something that 1up had a look at on their podcast, and it was also controlled all on the touchscreen and they didn't really like that either. they thought it felt kinda forced and awkward. i just can't imagine having to keep track of where i'm tapping while focusing on the top screen, while also using the d-pad to attack. seems clumsy. i imagine it'd have worked much better if they just didn't bother with the touch screen in the 3d mode.

maybe when i play it i'll like it better, who knows.

[KarmaGhost]

Most of the time, when he said, "we really don't care about that" I believe he was referring to the japanese text, which I can only assume he couldn't read? All in all though, it was a boring review.I got the impression that he lives in Japan and probably knows what's written on the screen. However, I'm sure simple trial-and-error would produce a similar understanding of the game's menus, so who knows.

[RMan]

I know that sounds dumb since the touch screen is such a big part of the DS, but I seem to have problems in other games getting precise movements down (my high Brain Age is partly because of my inability to draw 5's and 9's correctly).
Well, I think in this type of game it could work well (hard to say it could be better than a good analog controller, but it's possible). I agree with BA’s character recognition problems, I’d recommend the game to anyone wholeheartedly if not for that. Character recognition, however, is a very complicated gesture system compared to something like controlling a spaceship, and in Starfox they can design the gestures to work with the device, rather than the other way around (BA doesn’t have the luxury of redefining our language to make it easier to recognize). I like the looks of the game, it is definitely a little weird, and the controls will certainly take some getting used to, but looks like it’ll be worth going over that hurdle.

[Camel]

Very good point RMan, I didn't think of the whole "designing the gestures to work with the device" thing, just the problems I have had in the past.

[31 Flavas]

Is it just me, or does this not seem that good? The control looks awkward, but it could be better once I actually try myself. Part of the problem might just be the reviewers totally disinterested tone. "Blah, blah, blah, we don't care." :\Yeah... at least what I came away with from that interview was that he's one of these... well he's like Mr. Evil Avatar. Probably really likes Nintendo a lot, but still thinks the DS stupid.

I'll just take his disinterested tone with quite a large grain of salt.

Edit:And I mean aside from having to hold the DS in view for the camera and talk at the same time, he wasn't didn't seem to be having any trouble with the touch screen controls.

[Khash]

Why can't Nintendo just release a regular Star Fox game? They always gotta ruin it with on-foot missions or touch screen crazyness.

[RMan]

Yeah... at least what I came away with from that interview was that he's one of these... well he's like Mr. Evil Avatar.
Yea, I pretty much ignored his comments after he said Starfox Adventures was a terrible game. It was a good game, it was just not a space shooter, it was Starfox's IP only (but I'll take that over Starfox Assault). Anyway, seems one of those fans that just doesn't like change to me, but regardless it was nice to see the game in motion, and I think the control and minor strategic elements show promise.

[31 Flavas]

Why can't Nintendo just release a regular Star Fox game? They always gotta ruin it with on-foot missions or touch screen crazyness.Now come now, don't be so judemental. Give the game a try before you dismiss it.

[Manzy]

I'll admit Star Fox 64 was the one of the most fun I've ever had with a videogame. They have done nothing to even come close to replicating that.

[Eran Hawke]

After watching the awful review, I got the impression that it controls like Metroid Prime Hunters, without having to use the plus pad for movement. This sounds great as it gives a lot of precision control for aiming and flying without requiring my left hand cramping up from fwd/back/left/right movement and trigger shooting like Metroid.

[shnastybiznastic]

i just can't imagine having to keep track of where i'm tapping while focusing on the top screen, while also using the d-pad to attack. seems clumsy.
That's funny, I can't imagine keeping track of two analog sticks, six face buttons, two triggers and two bumpers and a d-pad while looking at the TV. Seems clumsy. ;)

[soco]

That's funny, I can't imagine keeping track of two analog sticks, six face buttons, two triggers and two bumpers and a d-pad while looking at the TV. Seems clumsy. ;)

except you're not trying to balance the controller with one hand and touching something flat. you have a frame of reference for extent and feel. on the xbox games, at least, the face buttons are auxilliary buttons. if you're holding something in one hand, you're going to be making small movements with it, which can throw off your 'floating' hand :)

[shnastybiznastic]

except you're not trying to balance the controller with one hand and touching something flat. you have a frame of reference for extent and feel. on the xbox games, at least, the face buttons are auxilliary buttons. if you're holding something in one hand, you're going to be making small movements with it, which can throw off your 'floating' hand :)
Do you even own a DS? I'm not trying to be a troll here, but this hasn't been a problem in the games so far, why would it be a problem now?