When I was a kid, "The Legendary Starfy" for the DS had to be my favorite platformer and one of my favorite games ever. I have yet to review it here, though, which I will change shortly.
Everything about the unique music, atmosphere and surprisingly affecting story just blew me away.
It was only later that I learned that it was the fifth game in a long running series of platformers known as "Densetsu no Stafy". I had a mix of excitement that there was more to experience, and a feelings of indignance towards the fact that we were never treated to the rest of this series over here.
Now, as an adult equipped with a fancy ol' GBA, I can finally experience another Starfy game.
The first thing that stuck out to me was that the unique sounds of the music, and the absolute charm of the world, was still there. I'm amazed at how the series has kept much of it's identity throughout it's five installments. This one is just as surreal as the others too, with penguins with whips, a fish who looks like Frank Sinatra, and whatnot.
There is just an indefinable feeling to each of the Starfy games that is unique. There is something mysterious, almost nostalgic about it. I keep harping on the music (no pun intended) but man does it add to this vibe. I can't really explain it. It's just like a carefree summer day exploring nature as a kid.
It is also kinda carefree in other aspects, not just in aesthetics. In terms of gameplay, some may say that the game is on the easy side. I would agree, but I don't think this hinders the game at all. I still had a sense of progression. New mechanics were thrown in often, new moves. Also these weird pogo/horse/sheep segments (this'll make sense when you experience the game, I promise.)
Adding Starfy's sister, Stappie (at least that's her name in the walkthrough on gamefaqs) was a really nice move. I kind of feel like platformers can get almost egotistical at points. Many platformers don't stress much teamwork. This one has you switching between Starfy and his sister in these really neat segments where you have to play of each strengths in order to progress. Each one has different moves that only they can use to reach certain areas. It mixed up the gameplay just enough to where it never got tiring.
Despite me calling it carefree earlier, it is a game with plenty of dark aspects and conflict. It's not a game without loss, and I'll leave you to decipher that when you play it.
Now I played it entirely in Japanese, so I didn't follow the plot completely, but I could tell just enough of what was happening. However, like other reviewers have said, playing it in a language you are familiar with DOES really enhance your experience of the story. They also give clues in dialogue which you can't distinguish if you can't read them.
One last thing, there is also a cameo of a character from a game I just beat. It was awesome to see them do a homage to that character and his games. Once again, I won't spoil anything just incase people don't know.
Overall, highly recommend to those wanting an easy but interesting, surprisingly emotional and aesthetically charming platformer with unique mechanics.
Everything about the unique music, atmosphere and surprisingly affecting story just blew me away.
It was only later that I learned that it was the fifth game in a long running series of platformers known as "Densetsu no Stafy". I had a mix of excitement that there was more to experience, and a feelings of indignance towards the fact that we were never treated to the rest of this series over here.
Now, as an adult equipped with a fancy ol' GBA, I can finally experience another Starfy game.
The first thing that stuck out to me was that the unique sounds of the music, and the absolute charm of the world, was still there. I'm amazed at how the series has kept much of it's identity throughout it's five installments. This one is just as surreal as the others too, with penguins with whips, a fish who looks like Frank Sinatra, and whatnot.
There is just an indefinable feeling to each of the Starfy games that is unique. There is something mysterious, almost nostalgic about it. I keep harping on the music (no pun intended) but man does it add to this vibe. I can't really explain it. It's just like a carefree summer day exploring nature as a kid.
It is also kinda carefree in other aspects, not just in aesthetics. In terms of gameplay, some may say that the game is on the easy side. I would agree, but I don't think this hinders the game at all. I still had a sense of progression. New mechanics were thrown in often, new moves. Also these weird pogo/horse/sheep segments (this'll make sense when you experience the game, I promise.)
Adding Starfy's sister, Stappie (at least that's her name in the walkthrough on gamefaqs) was a really nice move. I kind of feel like platformers can get almost egotistical at points. Many platformers don't stress much teamwork. This one has you switching between Starfy and his sister in these really neat segments where you have to play of each strengths in order to progress. Each one has different moves that only they can use to reach certain areas. It mixed up the gameplay just enough to where it never got tiring.
Despite me calling it carefree earlier, it is a game with plenty of dark aspects and conflict. It's not a game without loss, and I'll leave you to decipher that when you play it.
Now I played it entirely in Japanese, so I didn't follow the plot completely, but I could tell just enough of what was happening. However, like other reviewers have said, playing it in a language you are familiar with DOES really enhance your experience of the story. They also give clues in dialogue which you can't distinguish if you can't read them.
One last thing, there is also a cameo of a character from a game I just beat. It was awesome to see them do a homage to that character and his games. Once again, I won't spoil anything just incase people don't know.
Overall, highly recommend to those wanting an easy but interesting, surprisingly emotional and aesthetically charming platformer with unique mechanics.