FUR Squadron Phoenix [Review]
Fur Squadron Phoenix, a rail-shooter game clearly inspired by Star Fox, embraces its source material in both character design and gameplay. However, it distinguishes itself with a unique simplistic relationship status system with each team member. By saving or assisting them with missions, their status with the protagonist increases, leading to a cut scene and a stat upgrade. One area where Star Fox surpasses this game is voice acting. While Fur Squadron Phoenix lacks voice acting, opting instead for a gibberish language, I personally find the sound grating. Fortunately, you can disable it in the settings, but it’s worth noting that it doesn’t affect cut scenes, only gameplay. I wish they had proper voice acting, as it’s a key reason to play Star Fox. Playing a rail-shooter while reading text is awful, and I’ve lost lives because I had to focus on the text instead of the incoming fire.
Gameplay wise, the game excels. Players navigate in the way you would expect, with this being a Star Fox rail shooter clone, while destroying enemies encountered along the way. Each level concludes with a boss battle. Occasionally, a team member may require assistance or request your presence. Completing these tasks replenishes your energy meter for the level and strengthens your relationship with the team member. The energy bar is crucial, as it enables the use of special attacks like bombs and laser beams, which are highly effective against bosses. Managing your energy and health is essential, as the game’s difficulty mirrors that of Star Fox. It took me several lives to progress through each level. I appreciate that the game’s difficulty doesn’t feel frustrating; it’s simply a matter of improving your skills.
Star Fox excels in art direction, which is one of the reasons I love the game. The art style and character designs are captivating. The game attempts to replicate both Star Fox 64’s polygonal art style for the levels and their modern character designs. While the levels look visually appealing with their vibrant colors, the characters appear flat and lack depth, making it challenging to identify their species. For instance, I was certain the bat character, Kiro, was a wolf until they revealed he had wings, which weren’t even visible in the design.
Fur Squadron Phoenix closely mirrors the gameplay style of Star Fox 64, making it a must-play for fans of the original. Although there are some shortcomings, such as the absence of voice acting and the art direction, the gameplay remains the most crucial aspect, and it is executed effectively. The game strikes a balance between difficulty and frustration, with bosses and larger enemies adding an extra layer of challenge. The inclusion of relationship statuses adds depth to the world, providing lore for those interested in it. Fur Squadron Phoenix is now available on both Switch and Steam.
FUR Squadron Phoenix
Fur Squadron Phoenix closely mirrors the gameplay style of Star Fox 64, making it a must-play for fans of the original. Although there are some shortcomings, such as the absence of voice acting and the art direction, the gameplay remains the most crucial aspect, and it is executed effectively.