nkarafo
Member
It seems like the majority of gamers hold F-Zero GX as the representative game for the franchise. It is the best F-Zero game for most people. I disagree and instead of just claim "X is the best F-Zero" i will try to actually explain why i like it more.
Graphics:
There is no doubt that the graphics in F-Zero GX are dazzling. Its surely one of the best looking GC games featuring both 60fps AND incredibly detailed backgrounds, unlike X where they had to do lots of sacrifices for the 60fps rate, making X one of the least appealing games on N64. Despite that i still think the game looks great in motion, still pictures and 30fps youtube videos can't make it justice.
But here's one thing people seem to miss about the graphics and art direction. After the original SNES F-Zero and F-Zero X, i had the feeling that the tracks were supposed to be high in the sky, the stratosphere or in space. This created an interesting atmosphere and a feel of isolation as there were no crowds or fancy events going on. It was just you, 29 opponents and the floating road. It made the races feel less inviting, more deadly and less "crowd pleasing" in the universe the game is taking place.
In comparison, some F-Zero GX tracks feel like they are taking place in big events with lots of spectators. Some even give me a "carnival" vibe. Many tracks are ground based and there are even some underwater parts. And lets not talk about the obsession Sega has with freaking casinos. It just doesn't feel like F-Zero after The first two games.
Music:
This is a matter of taste but anyway, lets exaggerate, the F-Zero X OST is hundreds (if not millions) times better than the over-distorted, messy GX soundtrack. X has some amazing thrash/death metal compositions and the few remixes feel closer to the original songs. GX still has some great metal character themes though (Bio-Rex, YEAH)
Controls:
I will just copy-paste the comment i made on the F-Zero GX thread. In GX they messed the "attack" ability completely. In X you double tapped the shoulder buttons to perform the attack and it really felt like your craft hits the opponent with its weight. Additionally, this move could be used to do sharp turns without lose much speed. You tapped the right shoulder button fast twice and you did a sudden "jump" at the right. Or the left shoulder to jump left. It just felt right. In GX they stripped all that and they mapped one general attack move on a random button. It doesn't feel right and i rarely even bother using it. I know that the analog shoulder buttons of the GC controller wouldn't work so well for something like that though, so i don't blame Sega entirely.
Additionally, in F-Zero X the analog controls sensitivity was better imo and the somewhat "harder" analog stick allowed me to better turn my craft with the correct amount of push it required so i won't lose my grip. The much more sensitive, lighter GC stick was more unstable and it was easier to push it more than you really wanted.
So, who agrees/disagrees with this and why?
Graphics:
There is no doubt that the graphics in F-Zero GX are dazzling. Its surely one of the best looking GC games featuring both 60fps AND incredibly detailed backgrounds, unlike X where they had to do lots of sacrifices for the 60fps rate, making X one of the least appealing games on N64. Despite that i still think the game looks great in motion, still pictures and 30fps youtube videos can't make it justice.
But here's one thing people seem to miss about the graphics and art direction. After the original SNES F-Zero and F-Zero X, i had the feeling that the tracks were supposed to be high in the sky, the stratosphere or in space. This created an interesting atmosphere and a feel of isolation as there were no crowds or fancy events going on. It was just you, 29 opponents and the floating road. It made the races feel less inviting, more deadly and less "crowd pleasing" in the universe the game is taking place.
In comparison, some F-Zero GX tracks feel like they are taking place in big events with lots of spectators. Some even give me a "carnival" vibe. Many tracks are ground based and there are even some underwater parts. And lets not talk about the obsession Sega has with freaking casinos. It just doesn't feel like F-Zero after The first two games.
Music:
This is a matter of taste but anyway, lets exaggerate, the F-Zero X OST is hundreds (if not millions) times better than the over-distorted, messy GX soundtrack. X has some amazing thrash/death metal compositions and the few remixes feel closer to the original songs. GX still has some great metal character themes though (Bio-Rex, YEAH)
Controls:
I will just copy-paste the comment i made on the F-Zero GX thread. In GX they messed the "attack" ability completely. In X you double tapped the shoulder buttons to perform the attack and it really felt like your craft hits the opponent with its weight. Additionally, this move could be used to do sharp turns without lose much speed. You tapped the right shoulder button fast twice and you did a sudden "jump" at the right. Or the left shoulder to jump left. It just felt right. In GX they stripped all that and they mapped one general attack move on a random button. It doesn't feel right and i rarely even bother using it. I know that the analog shoulder buttons of the GC controller wouldn't work so well for something like that though, so i don't blame Sega entirely.
Additionally, in F-Zero X the analog controls sensitivity was better imo and the somewhat "harder" analog stick allowed me to better turn my craft with the correct amount of push it required so i won't lose my grip. The much more sensitive, lighter GC stick was more unstable and it was easier to push it more than you really wanted.
So, who agrees/disagrees with this and why?
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