I want to start off saying that I’ve never “actually” played a Star Fox game before. My first exposure to Star Fox was playing Star Fox Assault multiplayer with a friend from when I was in elementary school. 2 days ago I was over at a friend’s house and we got on the topic of 3DS games we’ve played, and when I mentioned that I want to try Star Fox 64 3D someday, he pulled out his copy of the game and instantly gave it to me and told me to play it. A day later when I finally had free time, I started up the game and I was astonished by the fact such a simple and short game could be so damn captivating. By now I’ve beaten every level and have gotten both endings multiple times and I enjoyed almost every minute of it.

When I started playing the first level I was loving the art style and design of pretty much everything. It all had a good amount of spectacle to it which made me look forward to the next level so I can see the artistic design of everything. Star Fox 64 looked damn good already for a Nintendo 64 game but this version really improved the visuals that I think it would warrant another play through even if you’ve already played it. Not to mention that the sound design is amazing. There’s a lot of sounds that are iconic from the series and in mixture with the amazing soundtrack made it a beautiful experience the whole way through. Occasionally the draw distance can bother me with obstacles just sort of popping up out of nowhere but it’s not enough to put me off. The character designs are also iconic too despite them being sort of simple at a basic level. Everyone is so distinct and memorable in design which extends to their personalities too which I’ll get into. Overall, Star Fox 64 3D will guarantee a strong impression on you with how clean and flashy it all looks.

The gameplay is really simple too but I never really got bored of it because there’s enough changes with each level that the simplicity isn’t a problem. Never have I felt like I was struggling against the Arwing because it’s a really smooth controlling vehicle. The only moments I’ve had difficulties with it are when you take too much damage to the wings, causing it to handle a little worse. It’s sort of a whatever kind of feature to me. I don’t mind it but I don’t think I would’ve cared if it wasn’t in the game either. The Blue Marine controlled really decently too even if I didn’t like the level it was in. That brings me to the Landmaster, which at first I didn’t like how it felt because the aiming was weird that it was controlled by moving up and down on the stick. Over time I got used to it though and welcome the change of pace that the Landmaster brings. As I was saying earlier too, each level really brings out the simple gameplay. Sure you could just play it as a typical space shooter by dodging, shooting, and boosting through the level, but each level has their own environmental hazards that fit right in. The bonus objectives so you can take alternate paths is also welcome, even if some of the requirements for the alternate path aren’t clear sometimes. I do wish that there was more to do outside of the main story though because there really isn’t a lot else. The last thing I want to mention about the gameplay is the bosses, because this is honestly something that I wish I could give a simpler answer too. There’s a decent amount of bosses that I enjoy but there will be some that are a pain in the ass for no reason, or sort of a nothing boss. The boss as the end of blue marine just feels annoying, I can’t reliably dodge Vulcain’s dive attack even though everything else about him is a pushover, and the Macbeth boss fight is better off being ignored. Hell I also though Andross was disappointing. His first phase is easy and then his second just won’t get off your ass, making you perform some awkward maneuvers to get decent shots. I loved all the Star Wolf fights though with how you’re given chances to use your environment or simply out-maneuver your opponents.

Now moving on, the story is also decently intriguing. It’s not very deep at all but in all honesty it doesn’t need to be. Andross is waging war to try to take over the Lylat system and you’re sent to go stop him and his forces. There’s a few extra details that I won’t mention that do give it a bit more depth and helps add a bit more to certain characters. It’s very direct in what is going on and what you’re supposed to be doing and I can appreciate a game that takes a simple approach. I think more people actually remember the characters more than they remember the story itself and for good reason. Just like their designs, everyone has a distinct personality which makes their moments of banter with other characters that much better. As much as everyone shits on Slippy, I feel for the guy for trying his best to be useful to the team while Falco occasionally gives him a hard time for his shortcomings. I’ve always liked Falco’s personality too where he’s just a lovable asshole. Everyone included in the story feels like they have a proper role instead of having some that might as well be replaced with dead air. There’s nothing overly convoluted but it also isn’t too simple that the game might as well have not even tried to have a story. It hits just the right spot to be enjoyable.

This whole game was really enjoyable even when I had to replay some of the stages I’ve already done. I think that this was a damn good way to start the Star Fox series. The game can be beaten within just a few hours if you’re trying to see everything. There’s no harm in trying the game if you get the chance since it’s not gonna be a massive time sink. In fact I can see why my friend was so eager for me to try the game because it’s very well done and a lot of fun. It feels like a game that knew exactly what it wanted to be from the start. If you ever get a chance to play it, I honestly think you should.