Star Fox Zero

 Wii U
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 82 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 82
  3. Negative: 3 out of 82
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  1. Giant Bomb
    Apr 20, 2016
    40
    All of this would have been welcome in the early 2000s, but the years of disappointing follow-ups and the overall progression of industry standards leads to Star Fox Zero having the impact of an HD rerelease rather than a full sequel. Being able to beat the game in 2-3 hours doesn't help, no matter how many branching paths or lackluster challenge missions are included. Even the moment-to-moment action doesn't have anywhere near the impact that it had almost two decades ago, as this limited style of gameplay feels dated in 2016.
  2. GameCritics
    Jun 1, 2016
    30
    I know that the company gets a lot of flak for rehashing its material, but if Star Fox Zero is Nintendo’s idea of innovating an established franchise, I hope that this is their final attempt to prove that motion control wasn’t just a fad.
  3. The Jimquisition
    Apr 26, 2016
    20
    Star Fox Zero is just plain rotten. An otherwise run-of-the-mill space shooter that couldn’t be content with its own mediocrity and subsequently mutilated itself in a desperate attempt to stand out.
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  1. Ars Technica
    Apr 20, 2016
    But by the time I got done with Star Fox Zero’s incredibly annoying final boss, roughly five hours after I first started the game, I found myself not all that eager to replay any of its levels a second time (though I did, for the sake of completeness). Instead, what I really felt the urge to do was replay Star Fox 64, which captured all the good parts of Star Fox Zero 20 years ago without any of the chaff that constantly gets in the way.
  2. Kotaku
    Oct 19, 2016
    Even if you can get used to the awkward controls, Star Fox Zero is merely mediocre. It’s as disappointing a major Nintendo console release as there’s been in some time.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Apr 20, 2016
    The result is more a loose collection of segments than anything approaching a complete experience. It’s a tech demo for equipment long past its prime.
  5. Wired
    Apr 20, 2016
    It sounds confusing. It is confusing. It’s also not optional. This is how you play Star Fox Zero. It’s the shooter equivalent of rubbing your stomach while patting your head and also keeping a hacky-sack in the air with your foot.

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Wii U Game of 2016
1
#1 Most Discussed Wii U Game of 2016
1
#1 Most Shared Wii U Game of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 767 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 520 out of 767
  2. Mixed: 106 out of 767
  3. Negative: 141 out of 767
  1. manyjavla
    Apr 22, 2016
    10
    The game is awesome. Don't care about what people are talking about it. If you like star fox 64, you will like this too. If you are a wii uThe game is awesome. Don't care about what people are talking about it. If you like star fox 64, you will like this too. If you are a wii u owner, you need to try this game.… Full Review »
  2. Johnii
    Apr 22, 2016
    9
    It's beyond me why such a big deal has been made out of the controls as I mastered them within about 10 minutes of play time. I wish thatIt's beyond me why such a big deal has been made out of the controls as I mastered them within about 10 minutes of play time. I wish that there were actual standards and integrity that "professional" reviewers were held by because some of the complaints over controls are absurd. Honestly, if you are having so much trouble with the controls, then perhaps you need to question your skills as a gamer, or simply just recognize that this may not be the game for you.

    That aside, I had a blast playing this game. It's fast-paced, it's exciting and it's engaging. Which is really all that I ask for in a video game. The inclusion of Star Fox Guard is a nice bonus and that in itself is a fun experience.

    I guess all I can say in summary is that if you're a fan of Star Fox and its style of an on-rails space shooter, then you're going to really enjoy this game. Even the co-op mode is entertaining as it really feels like there are two of you in the ship and I felt that the motion controls were well-implemented.    … Full Review »
  3. Marty91
    Apr 22, 2016
    9
    Solid mechanics and great gameplay. This is the quintessential remake of Lylat Wars/Star Fox 64 (no matter if Nintendo doesn't claim it is),Solid mechanics and great gameplay. This is the quintessential remake of Lylat Wars/Star Fox 64 (no matter if Nintendo doesn't claim it is), offering great replayability with different paths and hidden stages, which offsets its relatively short runtime (around 5-6 hours).
    Some smaller grievances I had was the alternative vehicles, like the slow-paced gyrowing, and maybe a little too much focus on the walker. Even so, most of it is the same, but flashier, great arwing action as back in 1997. A lot of stages in the game are pretty much the same scenarios as the N64 game, but with minor changes; there's a lot of nostalgia playing here in terms of bosses, enemy patterns, and the voicework.
    The new aiming controls can be a little overwhelming at first, but will quickly be mastered, and definitely adds to the overall experience. What's often important is to check the cockpit screen, which I admittedly ignored too much on the first run; this is frequently necessary for precise aiming when using the lock-on view, but you can also easily switch the cockpit view to the TV. While I wouldn't say the motion controls are essential for this type of game, it's clear that this one is designed around it, and you are consistently rewarded for effectively using it.
    Voice performances are much like the N64 game, and for the most part being above par for an English performance in a Japanese game. I would've wished there was a BGM option, as the sound effects can be a bit dominating over the music. Though this is mitigated by lowering the GamePad volume. There is unfortunately no way of getting the voices to come from the TV (that I know), but this wasn't a real issue for me.
    Overall, an enjoyable and accessible arcade-style game that can be played just as well in one sitting and in short bursts.    … Full Review »
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