Star Fox Command Un-Nostalgic Review: Terrible Or Misunderstood?

[@Hazelw0lf]

The part that never made sense to me in the Fox/Krystal drama: Krystal’s a telepath. Presumably such abilities might have given her more insight into Fox’s motivations and feelings. Fox is also aware of this aspect of her so why they end up playing this adolescent drama out feels a bit obtuse.

[@MrMarinus18]

I didn't view Krystal joining Star Wolf as her being spiteful. More as her not wanting to give up her passion and Star Wolf being the closest thing to an alternative to the team. I know this is never stated but I think Wolf actually invited Krystal and having nowhere else to turn to she accepted.

[@ProperDev]

Very valid points. I like that you switch back and forth from good and bad, it really feels unbiased that way. Personally, I think the game has some amazing gameplay and is my main reason for liking it. BUT I have to say I hate branching storylines, mainly because it prevents sequels and is almost an end-all to the series. I wanted a sequel to Assault, with the same gritty feel and the insane character development, and to find out if Star Wolf would turn good. But what we got was somebody saying "Hey, we don't know what you want the series to continue on so here is a bunch of different stories and you can just pick the one you like, k thx". BUT that is just how I feel about it, and is probably why people pretend it doesn't exist, so that they can get a real sequel to a really good game.

[@RegretfulDeadMan]

Randy Becker well, all they really need to do is declare a single ending canon and its all good, like I said, I have a theory about what I think the canon ending is and should be, but I'll get into that on a later date

[@ProperDev]

Yeah I saw you said that in the video. I really look forward to seein' that. Always love seein' your videos.

[@danielramsey6141]

@@RegretfulDeadMan No. They don't. Personally. I say Make this game Non-Canon to the timeline, make the next game pick up right After Assault, and continue on from there!

[@nostalgiaworks5999]

Q-Games was founded by former members of Argonaut. A lot of the people who worked on Star Fox Command also worked on Star Fox 1 and 2.

[@joecool2987]

How are u not popular!

[@warioland523]

Eh it looks alright. Probably still the weakest game in the series but this review opened me up a bit more to it and it looks pretty fun in of itself. It's sort of a choose your own path game which adds heaps of replay value and also has some elements of strategy mixed with arena shooting gameplay. Overall I find the Star Fox series to be underrated. All the games I think are good in their own right. The only reason people seem to hate this series is because they suffer from CoD disease and think that every game should be like the 64 game to a tee. But the reason why Nintendo does a different thing with each game made is because it would get stale otherwise. I will admit it's fun to shoot things on a linear rail shooter type stage but if really that's all it was for every game it would definitely over stay it's welcome so I respect Nintendo's decision to try something new with each game. Adventures felt like a fantasy adventure game. Assault was a third person combat shooter with different modes of play. Command was a strategy game. And as for Zero. It's kind of a mix of Assault, the SNES game, Command and 64 in it's gameplay. So little bit of everything I guess.

[@franciscacortazar1042]

Hero of Legend

[@mooks500]

you look kinda like the JWittz except you still make interesting content

[@garrettlee9511]

Glad I wasn't the only one to think Jwittz's content went steadily downhill.

[@RegretfulDeadMan]

JigglyPortal I have no idea who that is

[@RegretfulDeadMan]

seanster6804 What does this have to do with anything in this video?

[@kevharrisMANG]

JigglyPortal de

[@SnipeMD]

I personally enjoyed "Lucy and Krystal" the most, because besides being a bit contrived, it still opens the door to a sequel and is the most "artistic" of the endings (lovely music, well drawn stills, etc.) However, I believe the _canon_ ending is a combination of "Goodbye Fox", "Dash Makes a Choice" and "Slippy's Resolve" as they all would ultimately take place at relatively the same time and all the original Star Fox team would have their stories basically concluded.

[@erickpoorbaugh6728]

This is a few years later, but I agree. My one quibble would be replacing "Dash Makes a Choice" (which destroys Dash's individual character and turns him into an Andross clone) with the creation of Star Falco from "Pigma's Revenge." I think Star Falco would fit Falco (and Katt and Dash) nicely for the decades between the dissolution of Star Fox and the creation of Star Marcus. Throw in Peppy and Lucy reminiscing from "Lucy and Krystal" and it's perfect.

[@stardogsmasher6217]

My opinion on Star Fox Command is really bad for a bunch of reasons. The main one is the story, and it makes Fox and Krystal so unlikable where I think that Nintendo had no idea if this would affect the fan base in a negative way, especially after Adventures and especially Assault. The endings are also the most unforgiving thing in the writing and execution. However, one ending in particular sticks out to me in a positive way is Goodbye Fox, where he and Krystal have a son for the next generation. Now the concept of that sounds cool and would make it sort of like Star Wars in a way from generation to generation. Dash Makes a Choice is also another interesting kind of ending and would be interesting for a next gen Andross for Marcus and his Star Fox. Lucy and Krystal (despite what you said) I think is another top ending I like out of the 9 endings. Star Wolf Returns and the Curse of Pigma or the worst and really make the characters, especially Krystal unlikable and out of character. Writing wise can be good and give out some serious, charming, or even funny dialogue. The side characters like Bill and Katt (who I thought debuted here, unlike SF64) and it's interesting to see them back for another round. Dash and Lucy are also interesting characters as well, but Amanda is easily the worst for being bland, uninteresting, and just forgettable. Gameplay is a step down from previous games, where it's just being stuck in a vehicle and that's it. No 3rd person one-foot section, no 3rd person landmaster section, just the arwing. The strategy gameplay idea, while not bad it's something I don't see for a Star Fox game. Music is pretty good, but some that are ripped like the Sector X,Y,Z music are not well ripped unlike from the DS. Bill and Katt got some nice upgrade themes for a song instead just a jingle of what their backgrounds are like. Some can be really enjoyable and fit the characters quite well. The gibberish acting is so odd that it makes me question why the cast wasn't called back to do another game. I wish there was some option to kill the gibberish audio but there isn't. Command is certainly the worst in the series and I am thankful now that it was a flop and hated by many, since it was so not well handled by Nintendo.

[@MrMarinus18]

I still really love both Fox and Krystal in this. I often feel people way too much want every character to be "likable" which I feel isn't needed and especially not in something like this. They can be wrong, they can be bitches, they can be selfish. I often felt it made the story that much stronger, especially since it's them rather than the plot that is mainly focused on. I think the endings are one of the most interesting things and the fact that so many are bittersweet or even outright tragic really adds to it. This was my first star fox game and Krystal was by far my favorite character. When I played adventure and assault later she just seemed like far too much of a role model and girlfriend rather than a true character.

[@zansumkai]

I'm probably the weird guy here who likes all range mode better then the rail levels (and I need to play Star Fox 64 more because it's the big one I mostly missed) but Command is actually my favorite in the series and I'm glad you gave it a good shake. Those bombs man, soooooooo good

[@Anko3342]

After completing this game a second time recently, I do not understand why people hate it. I have my theory on it, that maybe it was the game that ended in such a messy way with 9 endings and it tried so many different things at once, which led to mixed results, but quite frankly, that's my best guess. I loved the branching pathways and the different endings. Yes, it's messy but some endings are really satisfying to get, or just play funny and goofy at time, that's why I love the storytelling in the game. Made me feel bad for Krystal and Fox (even though I don't ship them) though, they really got shat on during some parts of this story. The gameplay was a bit repetitive, but the strategy aspect and sometimes witty dialogue in between missions make up for it imo

[@SQGReviewShow]

Glad someone remembers this game. I didn't know it even had hate. I personally thought it was okay, although I haven't played it in years. I do think it's better than Adventures, honestly. Good video

[@ShewolfxVix]

You didn’t know? Yeah, this game gets A LOT of hate, which... I don’t really know why. Lol Think it’s totally undeserved honestly. Yeah, it definitely has flaws but what game doesn’t. Thought it was a fun game still, I liked it. And it was one of my first Starfox games.

[@MrMarinus18]

One of the biggest things I like about this is actually it's small scale. While the anglers are technically massive they are not the focus. All the focus is on the characters which I feel is the right way to go for a handheld. Trying to top something on the Gamecube and something as epic as Assault is a bad idea from the start. The focus is on the characters and I simply feel it really works well with how a DS is usually played. Not for hours on end but for something like 30 minutes at a time. That interrupted play also makes the fights feel a lot less repetitive. I think trying to emulate the platform experience is simply a bad idea and is the main reason I'm not fond of Star Fox 64 ds because it tried that. Slower games like Mario 64 and simpler games like Mario Cart work fine but Star Fox 64 doesn't work that well. It still my favorite Star Fox game as I love fanfiction. One big thing about fanfiction is that it's usually far more character focused and that's exactly what this is. I'm not surprised many hate it as it's very fanfiction like and many people hate fanfiction.

[@mikedrop4421]

Man I gotta give you credit for your writing really shines in several places. Several times you made a joke which elicited a cringe and then you'd immediately call that joke out which essentially washes the cringe away. Also love that you are willing to take risks while obviously knowing that not every single joke is going to land for every viewer. Keep up the good work and I'll keep clicking the like button.

[@couragew6260]

9:00 cat facial expression: why am I here? cat inner thoughts: WTF ARE YOU DOING TO ME HUMAN!

[@Noizemaze4]

damn, thanks for the amazing input ~ seems like command was too "hardcore" for most casual players, and the story was trying to be like FATE to the point where those who are accustomed to a SINGLE LINEAR storyline couldn't take it xD

[@MrMarinus18]

10:10 Really? I didn't think it was all that sweet. It was a good ending but I think of all the "good" endings it's the most bittersweet.

[@GameMaster-ig8oo]

I feel that Star Fox Command deserves a remake or reimagining.

[@Yinlock470]

forced-separation for character development doesn't make sense for the reasons you stated immediately beforehand, that everyone was already perfectly happy where they were so why on earth would they ever disband

[@RegretfulDeadMan]

Because life changes, life goes on, the giddy high of happily ever after only carries you so long. Sooner or later you have to face reality, and reality bites.

[@princekiro1596]

I for one favor the Goodbye Fox ending. 'cause I also like the game, but the story is gosh awful. Yes, the characters are unlikable for being on their own for a while and are reluctant to reform Star Fox, but Krystal should have the most likeable. Trying to reach into Fox to stop being a dickwipe, or if Lucy does the convincing like she did in the game, then Krystal should be happy to see him again. Yes, he drove her away, but she's a telepath. She should know Fox's true intentions and that he means no harm. In fact, the breakup should have never happened, 'cause Fox's excuse is that he didn't want her to be in any danger. MEANWHILE Star Fox Assault, she fought just fine. So wtf. To me, the Goodbye Fox ending makes up for the bullshit that occurred all throughout. Yes, it was rushed, but I don't care, I'm also bias too. Ntm, I am curious about Marcus's story. I would have wanted more of that. Too bad it ain't canon, but it's canon in my eyes.

[@indiraturner5506]

Nostalgia Critic just called, he wants you in his videos!

[@MrMarinus18]

I wouldn't say the Krystal and Fox ending is the sweetest one. I think the one with all the girls is the sweetest one since it has no irks whatsoever. In the Krystal and Fox ending Fox does give up his passion and basically says he's become too old to do what he loves. I actually think it's one of the more bittersweet ones.

[@ExoParadigmGamer]

Personally, Adventures will always be far and away my least favorite game in this series. That said, I don't remember much of Command except that when I first played it at the age of 12 I thought it was mercilessly difficult. Who knows what I'd think now.

[@MrMarinus18]

I really like this game. I'm a major fan of fanfiction and so this really spoke to me. The gameplay might not be the greatest but it really is a secondary matter. The main threat isn't really the focus but instead all the characters are and I love that. I think focusing more on the threat would have moved attention away from the characters. I really think it makes it quite unique in that it's so character focused. Some of the stories being lower level fanfiction actually adds to it I feel. It makes it even more inclusive, it's like you can write your own fanfiction and you have to go through with it no matter what.

[@arceusthecreator9746]

Was is bad? they took the team that was doing amazing in Assault. split them up. set the Default ending to the worst possible ending. then they said none of the endings are canon leaving the Series unfinished. That's clear disrespect to a franchise and a fandom. They took the Characters and changed their Personalities and sent them in different directions.

[@kurokamina8429]

I strongly agree but disagree at the same time. This game had the worst localization I've ever seen. Someone on reddit did a comparison between the English version and the Japanese version and someone just made the characters over the top or in the case of krystal a MASSIVE emo A hole. Krystal in the Japanese doesn't call Fox a loser, she leave the team on her own, and she actually calls herself Krazoa and not Kurse. So it's only slightly better in its original translation but still not great. Then the whole characters not being themselves. This is the thing that I hate about command because apparently, this is what imamura and the original programmers vision for these characters. Rare and Namco mostly had control over the stories of their respective games and so there is a certain level of consistency between the characters but they weren't what Imamura want out of these characters. In an interview with imamura and characterizing Krystal in Assault there was a lot of back and forth on what they want her to be. But then Command came around with Q games with an og programmer of SF1 and SF2. They didn't really care for the story and left it to Imamura. Basically defaulting back to the original vision of the series which is why the games prolog had more focus on the lylat wars and didn't touch Adventures or Assault other then "hey, this is after the aparoid invasion". So because it default back to its original vision that means for the first time we got to see the "real" Krystal who has been turned into a two dimensional character just like the rest were before Adventures. Which COULD have worked if command was like 64. In the sense that they structured it similarly but with a new system, with new levels, and a new story.

[@Campaign2024]

I mean... I have a lot of fun with SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman, but I still think the game is terrible.

[@warhammernerd52Daxx-Lorenzo898]

This game could have been released on the DSI or 3DS/2DS, but of course, why wait for a good opportunity It's a shame that Krystal doesn't become a 600 pound Kursed, another missed opportunity there

[@vp8887]

Krystal: "Kursed! Why are we leaving? We gotta save Fox and other friends!" Kursed: "Do we?... They didn't come to save us when we were all alone." Krystal: "What are you talking about? Who are really you, Kursed?" Kursed: "Look a little closer. We're not so different. What, you and I, the last Cerinian fox? We and us." Krystal: "Huh?..." Kursed: "Krystal, look at me! I'm you." Krystal: "What?!... No! It's impossible, I'm me." Kursed: "I'm you from the bad future, all grown up." Krystal: "Hey, wait a minute! If you're me from the future timeline, why do we sound so different?..." Kursed: "(Kursed's voice changes to Krystal's voice.) Why do we sound so different?..." Krystal: "WHAAAAAAAT???!!!" Kursed: "It's brain-blower, I know. That's why I was so cagey in telling you the real version of my backstory."

[@MrMarinus18]

I don't get why likability is for so many a requirement. For me it's far more a matter of what the narrative wants me to think and believe and rather or not I can go along with that. If it was an unlikable character and the narrative wants me to like them I don't like the story but Command doesn't do that. Fox is somewhat cold and the characters react to that appropriately. I feel it's not rather or not they are likable but more how the story handles it. I also didn't feel he was super unlikable. Stern and professional sure but there was a galactic threat going on with the anglers. He could have had more empathy and the story acknowledges that, if Fox doesn't learn he will just lose the team all over again. My favorite storyline is the one that focuses on Fox and Krystal the most. Playing as Panther and Leo is really neat since their craft are so unique and that moment of Fox humiliating himself is really powerful. I also really enjoyed Krystal acting like a bitch especially the reactions from the others and that speech of Slippy was really moving. I also felt the edgy ones with Krystal kinda sad. It does feel fake and more like she's overcompensating for herself. I usually don't like to play as these kinds of characters but as an ending I feel it's very effective.

[@MrMarinus18]

I don't see why you would say they are "unlikable", I think that word is very overused. Command was my first Star Fox game and I loved every single one of the characters. So much so that I had to get both Assault and Adventure and doing that when the gamecube had been discontinued for over 5 years made that extremely hard. I find it far more important if characters have presence and mental strength than rather or not they're "likable" and all the characters have that. I actually think the more negative endings can be stronger. Like the one where Star Wolf becomes the hero and Fox quits flying completely.

[@TheDogofTin]

This is the result of asking a forum on what they want the next Game to be like

[@DangerousPython]

I used to love this game. Played smash Bros and wanted the only Star fox game I could get

[@firepoet6926]

Good analysis

[@danielramsey6141]

12:54 I really need to find this Flow Chart just to see all of it and contrast it with the game itself.

[@marcolizzetti265]

"Play it again, Falco..." Casablanca furry edition

[@ShewolfxVix]

I liked this damn game, don’t understand why it gets so much freakin hate. Especially since when it first came out it seemed to get decent reviews, all the hate for it seems like it came later out of nowhere. I thought it was fun (even though it was hard for me at first cause of the stylus controls which they forced on you). I liked playing as all the different characters in their different arwings, and the character conversations were funny at times. Even though I hated how they made Fox and Krystal both act kind of like asses at parts, out of character it seemed. There were things I liked and didn’t like about it. But it wasn’t a bad game to me at all. Don’t know why so many think it’s so terrible, all I thought was terrible in the game was many of the terrible depressing bad endings that there were way too many of. Lol and the kind of cringe one too you mentioned where Krystal becomes “Kursed”...gawd, I hated that. That was pretty bad. :p I hated that it took you going through all of the bad awful endings before you could actually get the good or decent ones. So yeah, I actually enjoyed the game despite all of its flaws. I like that you give an honest review of it, with both the good and bad things about it. :) I think a lot of people act like they hate it too because of the kind of crappy artwork they gave the characters. One could see that and think it automatically looks awful even without playing it.

[@MrMarinus18]

Star Fox Command is very much fanfiction and many people hate fanfiction.

[@darbizzlebacon]

I am a new subscriber, and I really enjoy your videos. I'm 32 which means I'm probably too old to fit into the majority of your demographic... Regardless, I enjoy watching lots of gaming channels, and I think yours fits in nicely. Caddicarus is probably my favorite, and I can see lots of inspiration from his videos in yours, but you still have your own unique perspective and unique style, and I just wanted to commend you for making these videos. Though I do have some constructive criticism, and I don't want you to be offended, and it's just my own opinion. I think you talk a little fast, which isn't unintelligible, but it could be more coherent for some. I felt like taking a deep breath every time there was a pause between sentences, because I felt like YOU weren't breathing at all while talking. It just felt a bit unnatural is all. And also, I don't know if I'm just focusing on it too much, like when you notice a little thing and can't help but only focus on THAT ONE THING, but I think you might use the word, "cathartic" too often. It might be because I rarely hear people use it, but when watching your videos back to back, I've noticed it quite a bit. That's all I have for any criticisms, and I hope you don't see it as me being an asshole, and if you do, I will promptly go fuck myself. Anyways, I love your videos, and I like how they aren't just 10-15 minutes long, i can tell you put a lot of work into them, and I hope you know that your subscribers appreciate everything you do. Thank you.

[@RegretfulDeadMan]

To adress the first point, I have no intention on slowing down my speech, I could go into my reasoning, but I have many reasons for why I do things the way I do, it mostly has to with pace and how I feel about other peoples work, however there are many points that are a continual work in progress Regarding my verbal ticks like cathartic, that's something my contemporaries have pointed out to me, and am trying to work again, it's a word without a substitute, but regardless. It doesn't help that Star Fox as a series is practically synonymous with that word, but I've been activly avoiding such ticks in recent videos I thank you for your support and for the general level headedness of you comment, on a website practically geared towards confrontation, it's refreshing to see

[@yashk3904]

What happened to the "Un-Nostalgic Reviews" title card?!

[@RegretfulDeadMan]

Yash Kolwalkar Must have forgot to put it in

[@retrologic2869]

15:04 "What have you done?! IN MY OPINION you've just doomed us all!" What the hell? Since when are you so PC that characters in your comedy skits have to stress out that something's only their opinion, in order not to offend someone?

[@RegretfulDeadMan]

BiasedAF That's not me being PC, the character in the skit was the head of a company and was heavely insulting a public figure, so even while he's freaking out, he has to stress that what he's saying is his opinion because he doesn't want to get sued or get his company sued for defamation

[@retrologic2869]

Fair enough, thought I'd say this little detail could have been implemented a bit better. Still, that running backwards gag cracked me up :)

[@ratboyOwO]

Personally I liked the game, the online multiplayer was actually really good

[@yoshimasterleader]

The explanation of the story especially Fox and Krystal shows why I hate the story It's uncharacteristic to the theme and tone of Star Fox. It's supposed to be a bombastic war story with dialogue of an old dog fighting movie/show set in space. Sure there can be deeper character interaction and growth but it shouldn't impede the driving force of the story. It's not always necessary for there to be character arcs. There's shouldn't be a peak character growth anyway because people never stop growing or changing. There is better way to challenge the dynamic of a team than splitting them up. I digress. What we got here is a melodramatic soap opera in space with forgettable villains. Something unfitting of Star Fox. Anyway the gameplay loop is just a cut down version of Star Fox 2 which is way better and I'd rather play that.

[@fire9252]

Heya :D

[@fire9252]

Wait It's been three weeks!?

[@magee_gameplay]

28:54

[@aymanbig4361]

8:39

[@nono-nt8je]

Isn't this the one where fox kicks falco off in favour of Krystal? Bloody simp he was in this game

[@NessieAndrew]

Have you heard of this modern console called the PS4?

[@JsReviews]

Nessie Andrew Hmm? Is that the follow up to the sega dreamcast?

[@JamieMcG7]

Nessie Andrew Yeah the one that is remastering old games to get success? Last of us (PS3) Crash bandicoot (PS1) God of war(ps2-ps3)

[@RegretfulDeadMan]

Now now children, play nice

[@RegretfulDeadMan]

ThePreciseClimber No buts!!! And no butts either, I can't them queerosexuals(kidding obviously)

[@deweydrop3421]

I think star fox is the worst in the franchise.