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rsmithca's Super Smash Brothers (N64)
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| [February 23, 2007 04:50:51 PM]
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OK, so I played through the single-player game using Link. I definitely enjoy the multiplayer aspect more, but one thing I really like about the single-player is the inclusion of the mini-puzzles "break the targets" and "reach the goal." These simple but fun breaks from the fighting are cleverly tailored for each character, so they force you to make use of your chosen character's unique abilities in order to beat them. For example, in "break the targets," there are a couple targets that are outside of attack range. Since I could not use Link's sword to attack, I had to use his bow & arrow attack or toss a bomb in order to hit it. Another thing I like about the single-player experience is the variety of the battles. Sometimes I was fighting one opponent, sometimes two or three, and sometimes over a dozen! Also, you fight against special versions of characters - for instance, I fought against "metal Mario," who is stronger yet much slower than the original, and does not get knocked back easily by attacks. These design choices keep the single-player game from being monotonous. While the story isn't exactly enthralling (you're a figurine of a popular Nintendo character fighting against the evil(?) Master Hand), this game wouldn't really benefit too much from a better story premise. The gameplay is what makes this game so good, especially in regards to its multiplayer. The only real criticism is the fact that this game only offers a small selection of fighters, and there are many Nintendo franchises that are left out as a result. Of course, Super Smash Bros. Melee for the Gamecube improved the roster, adding several more characters, and the next installment will hopefully continue this trend. The more options, the better!
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| [February 23, 2007 05:04:40 AM]
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Playing this game brings back happy memories. And after all this time, it still retains its appeal. The genius behind this game is not only its inclusion of several Nintendo franchises, but a re-imagining of the fighting genre. It is wrong to categorize this game as being a fighter in the traditional sense, because it plays unlike any other fighting game out there (except for the knock-offs, and of course, Super Smash Bros. Melee for Gamecube). Yes you select a character, and yes the goal is to defeat your opponent/s, but that is the only reason to call this game a fighter in the first place. You don't have an energy gauge/life bar like other fighters; rather, the percentage of damage you've taken is displayed, and the higher it gets, the more likely your character will go flying off the screen in defeat. And instead of the stages containing only a floor and a background environment, there is actually platforming elements. For example, in the hyrule temple stage, there are multiple platforms you can stand on: there's a main section, a top section, and a section below. And it is a big stage, with plenty of space to work with. These attributes afford the player with several different strategies of play - if you're using a fast character, you can play keep-away from your opponent; if you're using a slow character, you can go down below and wait there for the others to attack you; and if you have charge-up or long-range attacks, you can blast away at distracted players from a safe distance. The other revolutionary aspect of this game is that instead of fighting against just one opponent, you can find yourself fighting against 3 or more! I prefer fighting against multiple opponents actually, because the pacing in this game is a lot slower against just one opponent than other fighting games. Of course the icing on the cake is the multiplayer mode - this is the main reason why I bought Super Smash Bros. in the first place. When I played this with my housemates earlier today, I was instantly reminded why I was so addicted to this game. Playing against your friends is exhilarating. The action is intense, with the option to include items that drop from the sky such as mallets, pokeballs, laser guns, etc. in order to add even more strategy to the game. The real draw is the multiplayer mode - this extremely well-executed part of the game is what makes it such a timeless classic. In my next log I'll talk a bit about the single-player mode after spending some more time with that.
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