F-Zero GX Preview
Set for release August 25th GameQubed analyses the past and present of the F-Zero series and voices what we expect to experience in Segas next installment of the F-Zero series.
Developed by Sega and being published by Nintendo, F-Zero GX is probably the most anticipated game of 2003. The original F-Zero was a SNES classic and since then the series has always been highly acclaimed. This is probably why critics and gamers alike felt as excited as ever when the news appeared conveying the production of the game. However the anticipation of this game increases dramatically with the release of promo trailers and countless screenshots all stunning and oozing quality. To make this all a lot sweeter news has leaked that Sega wants this to be the game of the series, outshining every other game to date.
The series trademark gameplay features high-speed-high-adrenaline action that will see that you are glued to your screen from the moment racing commences to the moment you cross the finishing line at Mach 3+. Maybe one aspect of the game which has seen such success is the concentration given to racing. Hardly any weapons or offensive tactics are employed by the player and every moment of the race is directed at sector times, lap times and ultimately winning the race by the means of speed and that alone. This results in an extremely competitive game and a game that is so successful such as the F-Zero series. Thanks to the number and variety of courses and vehicles it’s unlikely that the gameplay will ever get stale. And I’m sure with the GameCubes graphics this will never be a problem. Giant tubes where there is often no up or down, huge elevation changes, racing along ceilings there is hardly any rules in F-Zero and basically the brilliant level design results in a truly exceptional gaming experience. And since winning depends on knowing the location of the boosts and energy strips, courses will have to be played many times before the best route is found.
However not only does F-Zero GX bring exceptional graphics but also many other great features. The same cast of characters is returning and it’s still 30 cars per race which as fans of the series may know amounts to action filled stages. Many of the courses themselves will sound familiar to F-Zero veterans as well. Port Town, Mute City, and others are all back. The title features 20 tracks in all, split up according to difficulty so hours of gameplay is on the cards..
The theme of F-Zero GX is clearly speed. Which may not sound surprising. However will GX sacrifice graphics in order to provide smooth gameplay? HELL NO! From the screenshots dotted around this preview you can see a stunning visual racer awaits. Using a turbo almost sends you breaking the light barrier (if there is one?!) let alone the sound barrier. If you’re not paying complete attention the experience it can become very disorienting, and resorting to punching the start button in hope of a relaxing moment will probably be the option for many players. The game will probably tire you out just looking at it.
Sources have suggested the controls do not help. Being extremely sensitive and almost reading your mind before you even think to turn. I believe however the controls will become second nature and after crashing a few dozen racers into a few concrete walls you will be a master of the courses. The track is flying by so quickly, the touchiness of the joystick become a necessity to navigate the rapid succession of twists and turns. When it all comes together a truly breath taking race is upon you.
The game features all the standard racing modes including Grand Prix, Time Trial, and Vs. Unfortunately it appears that the very cool Death Race mode from F-Zero X didn’t make it into the new game. Sega is also including a Story Mode, which is sure to help increase replay value. Gamers play as Captain Falcon, completing various missions that might not necessarily involve coming in first in a field of 30. Another new feature is the Custom Mode. Winning races earns you points which can then be used to purchase parts to build a complete custom racer.
F-Zero GX features Nintendo’s unique offering “connectivity”. Fixing up a link cable will see F-Zero AX work like clock work along side it’s sister game GX. Gamers can save a car they’ve built in custom mode, and take it to the arcades and race it there to gain an edge on the competition. People with a link cable can take advantage of this option. And if you become a fanatic and end up playing GX all hours of the day this option offers a sound replay feature resulting in the player being able to squeeze a few extra hours out of the game.
F-Zero GX is set for an release date of August 25th however if this will be the date we see the game in the shops it is very unlikely. After all anybody who knows the tiniest bit about the gaming industry will know release dates are more like a quick guess to when the game will be released and are often very, very wrong. However this is sure to be a huge game when it’s released and should DEFINITELY be pre-ordered to ensure you get your copy at launch. So what are you waiting for?
-Miles
Final Score: 8.5