Star Fox Zero
Star Fox is a franchise that has long been held high in regard since the days of the N64. The on-rails shooter is remembered fondly by those who appreciated its awesome arcade-like gameplay, adorable characters and light-hearted tone. Star Fox Zero then, was a title that many Nintendo fans were eagerly awaiting, and one that many had billed as potential saving grace for poorly performing Wii U console.
Unfortunately, when players got their hands on the game, they quickly discovered that it was disappointing beyond just its subpar aesthetic. Star Fox Zero probably could have been forgiven for looking like a remastered version of the 10-year-old Star Fox Assault for Nintendo Gamecube if it had been an enjoyable gaming experience. But Star Fox Zero simply doesn’t play well, and that’s a big issue for a series in which gameplay has always been its strong suit.
Star Fox Zero was certainly designed with the Wii U’s tablet control system in mind; purpose built to take advantage of the twin screen design and show off what the Wii U is capable of, but that hasn’t worked out too well. It should feel intuitive, but instead feels awkward and frustrating to control, especially during moments in which players take control of mini-walker. The poor peripheral vision afforded by the tablet gamepad is an exercise in frustration and is made all the more annoying by the fact that the game continually forces you into using it.
Star Fox Zero was a huge disappointment for Nintendo fans, and its failure is at odds with the Wii U’s small but solid library of exclusive first party games.
For more on what we thought, be sure to check out our full review.
