First, a brief history lesson on the series. As his first game project ever, Toru Osawa was assigned to create a new game. Osawa wrote the story himself, being inspired from his love of Greek mythology. He also drew the characters and started basic design. After Metroid was released, the team on that moved to the Kid Icarus project. It was at this point that they decided to make the story humorous. Credit cards, wizards that turn you into an eggplant, even cameos by the metroids themselves, these people were having fun. The plot was basic. You're an angel, Pit, who needs to save the goddess Palutena from the evil goddess Medusa. Wow...Mario and Link save princesses...while Pit saves goddesses! Point goes to Pit! Well, the game was released in 1987 (86 in Japan.) to less than stellar reviews...well, with what view reviewers there were in the eighties. Anyways, the game was a modest success, and the team moved on. Oh yeah, on a humorous note, the Japanese version of the game did not have staff credits, they were added in for the international release. I find that ironic. Japan would not see a sequel for twenty-six years...but us Americans, and Europeans, got a sequel in 1991 for Game Boy, called Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters. There's...not much to say about the game. It is very similar to the original, but has improved almost everything. Save feature, reduced difficulty, and more. It's actually harder to find and less remembered than the original. All in all, both games were...mediocre. When you got down to it, they were your average action platformers, albeit with an interesting setting and sense of humor. So...why did people beg for a sequel? Honestly, not really too many people, with the exception of fans of the original, asked for one, until Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Brawl reintroduced Pit as an accomplished fighter. Suddenly, smash fans and young ones were wondering, as they had wondered about Marth and Ice Climbers before, just who this character was, and why he wasn't in any games since. This led to many new fans of Kid Icarus, and soon the internet was buzzing. Nintendo was practically overwhelmed with requests for a new Kid Icarus game, and the fans wouldn't let up. E3's came and went with no sign of the little angel...until 2010, with a trailer that had Pit fly down and say, "Sorry to keep you waiting!" ...and people wonder why I love Nintendo! Anyways, the fandom was ecstatic, and we all waited until the launch! Well...I had to wait until my birthday, but I was only a month late! Finally, the Kid Icarus series was back! But...is it any good? Here's a hint...YES!
Ok, let's break this down right. First, the story. Upon first glance you'd think that this has almost no story. And...that's almost true. In the beginning, the story is very basic. Good, but basic. However, there are some great plot twists that really do expand the story AND the universe. There are s few characters that seem wasted, but very few, and every character has depth...that was an unintentional joke. Also, there is a shockingly accurate depiction of the mythological Greek gods. Well, I'm not sure if they got the actual names or personalities right...a little rusty on Greek mythology...but the spirit of them is dead on. The Greek gods were constantly bickering and fighting. Some thought the humans were inferior, most didn't care, and few fought for them. That sort of complex mytholgy is dead-on here. So, it may be basic, but the plot twists make it worth it! 8.5/10!
But what's a story worth if the writing and performances are sloppy? Many games...the Sonic series comes to mind...have great stories, but the writing and performances make them seem...less than perfect. Honestly, this is the area I worried the most. After watching the original trailer, and the lack luster performances in it, I had low hopes. But, I was wrong. Dead wrong! This has some of the funniest and best writing and performances I've ever seen in a game! Every character is unique, every joke is fresh, and all the voice acting is great! Honestly, this game gives Portal a run for it's money in humor! There are many fourth-wall breaking jokes, hilarious banter between all the gods and goddesses and Pit, funny scenes where characters question game logic, and more! Oh yes, one thing...the entire game is one long cutscene! Ok, not quite, but it feels like it. The narrative is ongoing throughout, and the story unfolds realtime! Yes, there are cutscenes, but they mostly serve as bookends between chapters. Honestly, that's actually an original thing this day and age! I love it! 10/10!
Now we get to presentation! Since this is on 3DS, it is expected that there be 3D effects. Thankfully, it's not a gimmick here! Honestly, the 3D is great BECAUSE it isn't over emphasized! It feels like you're looking in on this world, not that somethings coming out at you. In games, that's the way I like it. The graphics are on par for the system...which ironically means that it looks better than the Wii most of the time. A couple of character models are a little...fake, but graphics wise it's pretty good. Now, a couple problems do exist. Since the story unfolds realtime, the bottom screen shows images and dialogue...which you can't see since you need to pay attention to the top screen. It's not much of an issue if you turn up the sound, but something to keep in mind before you play it on a bus... But the music is fantastic, and even includes some 8-bit songs! The effects in game are super, as is the atmosphere. The chapter divisions are perfect for the handheld system, since it's easy to pick up and play. All in all, great to look at, hear, and play! 9/10!
Of course, we need to talk about gameplay. This was another aspect I was worried about. The original games had basic platforming, and this showed off shooting. ...it wasn't adding up for me. But, even if it doesn't feel like playing the old game, it feels GREAT! The on rails flying segments are fantastic, feeling almost like Star Fox...only better. Yes, I said it! Albeit, it does take a little bit of time adjusting to the new control scheme, and from what I heard it's worst for lefties, but you do get used to it. It comes with that stand thing, but I never used it. Sure, Club Nintendo survey, I bought the game mainly because of the stand! Seriously, who would do that? The on foot segments are fun, too...and you can tell the creator of Smash Bros. designed this game... Sliding harder makes you dash, like Smash Bros., and even doing melee attacks feel like Smash Bros. Sometimes this becomes a problem, such as when you start falling off platforms because you accidentally dash, but these problems come rarely. The camera...you get used to. It isn't good, but you do adjust. The problem is that you use the touch screen to move the camera...while also using the touch screen to aim. It gets a little frustrating in the beginning, but you do grow into it. The driving segments are...out of place. Seriously, even the characters say so! They aren't bad...but almost completely unnecessary. The few time you need them are out of place. Also, this game has the BEST difficulty settings ever. it goes from 1.0 to 9.0, and if you die it will go down about .5, and you'll lose some hearts. So if you go for 9.0, you could technically finish it at about 2.0...if you die a lot. It's very original. So, it may not play like the original games...but that's what makes it so great! 8/10!
Now, there are also bonuses! Multiplayer is one of them. So far, I've played three matches, and had a lot of fun. I only tried the free for all, so I haven't tried the 3 on 3 thing. But free for all is great, and there was no internet lag. You use the weapons you find in game, and you can even find new weapons here to use in game! There is also an AR card system, where you can collect cards and watch them fight! I...haven't tried it out yet. It seems interesting, but more of a throw away. You can fuse weapons to create better weapons, trade hearts in for new weapons, break down weapons for hearts...WHEW! There is a lot of customization when it comes to weapons! You can collect trophies...I mean "idols". Seriously, they're the same thing as trophies from Smash Bros. Neat little trick, you can use the touch screen to screw with the menus. It's useless, but fun. There's more, such as music player, streetpass, portraits that get slowly revealed when you unlock stuff in game, a strange offering thing that I have no idea what it's supposed to do, treasure hunts, and more! Seriously, there is more here than meets the eye! Oh...that line is in the game. Yep! They reference Transformers in this game...I love it! So yeah, LOTS of extra content! 9.5/10!
So, final thoughts? This game...is my favorite original game on the 3DS. Seriously, this game is amazing! I never particularly cared about Kid Icarus before, but this game has me excited for the next game in the series. And yes, there definitely will be a next game. This game is honestly too good for there to NOT be another! This series has the potential to become one of Nintendo's top tier series! As long as the humor and production values remain, I happily look forward to the next entry in one of my new favorite Nintendo series! And if it takes another twenty-one years..."I'm Finished!"
Word of Warning: Honestly, not much to say! This game is E 10+, but I have trouble seeing why! There is no harsh language...or even slang! Worse you'll get is a dang or darn. There is a lot about Greek mythology, gods and goddesses, even Hades himself. But seriously, if you have a problem with Greek mythology you may want to examine yourself a bit. Seriously, no one actually believes this "religion" is true. Even back in the day it was fiction. Anyways, there is violence, and talks of death and souls, but it's all presented in a cartoony manner. I don't see how it could...but if this bothers you or your kids, you have been warned.
Final Verdict: 9.75/10! (And my special seal of MUST BUY!)
I am The R2 Dude, and this is The R2 View!
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