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Kid Icarus: Uprising, is likely one of the most interesting games I have played in a while. To summarize it, Kid Icarus: Uprising is a unique combination of air and land battle, with intense battles, amazing music, high-end graphics, and hilarious dialogue. However that's only brushing the top of what truly lies under the wings of Kid Icarus: Uprisings true content. Before you begin reading please keep in mind that this review will likely contain some spoilers. Watch out for a red **Spoiler Alert** tag above a paragraph before reading it.
Graphics:
This is likely the greatest feature this game has to offer. Until I played Kid Icarus: Uprising, I was still a little sceptical about Nintendo's new handheld and it's graphic potential. After playing Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, I was a little disappointed, but nonetheless satisfied to an extent. After I purchased and played Kid Icarus: Uprising however, that completely changed. There were many moments where I could feel my eyes straining to see everything happening around my character in the game. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but after a little while I got used to it.
The 3D models were very well done. I had difficulty seeing any real jagged edges, (like that of which were so obvious in the N64,) and for a game that already has what could be nearly considered HD graphics, this was very impressive. The way the characters moved was very natural, and their mouths and eyes moved along with the dialogue and what was happening around them. I noticed when a monster showed up, Pit seemed to turn his gaze and head naturally towards it, maybe even have a look of relative surprise. Even when you are running around, if you change the camera angle to look at Pit's front, you can see his mouth moving in the right way as he's talking, not just a simple loop. They added minor details that you wouldn't expect them to bother with in a portable game.
**Spoiler Alert**
The all-in-all quality of the images and locations was astounding. When you come flying into the middle of a Human vs Underworld-Army battle, and there are fireballs raining down all around you along with people battling down bellow, the camera remains natural but steady in a way that prevents you from losing sight or track of Pit. This scene in completely blew my doubts about the 3DS's graphic capabilities out of the water. The amount of detail put into the textures and landscapes is something I hate to admit I wasn't expecting. I didn't think they would go so far as to make such a detailed landscape. Obviously I was wrong. They people behind this game put a lot of time and effort into make the player almost want to rewind and replay the level just for the sights, or to see anything they might have missed.
Game Play:
This is a very broad topic, so let's divide this into different main focuses.
Story Line:
**Spoiler Alert**
The story was very gripping, and kept you playing. With the way each chapter ended or began it wouldn't let you put it down, and only take a break for some multi player, or weapon-editing/fusing. Otherwise, you are playing that story non-stop. When you see those credits first start rolling by, you immediately think to yourself "What? There's no way that can be it!" Well, it's true. When you see that massive hand rip the credits away, you'll immediately realize that there is a lot of play time left to squeeze out of this game. The storyline in general is a bit unpredictable and hops back and forth quite a bit. For example, you don't know exactly what the chapter is about until Palutena, the Goddess of Light guiding Pit on his journey, tells you just what you are diving into. This was a bit frustrating at times, but it was fairly easy to fall into.
Dialogue:
If there was anything in Kid Icarus: Uprising that I didn't truly appreciate as much as the other great features, it would be the dialogue. The dialogue was a majority of the time silly, or cheesy. When it wasn't it was normally tolerable, but the amount of jokes they made at serious times was almost disturbing. Although the puns and breaking of the fourth wall were entertaining, there is a point where it hits a limit. Kid Icarus: Uprising didn't seem to care too much about the limit, and did it as many times as they wished.
The voice actors they got for each character, however were perfect. The voice of Medusa was wonderfully casted, as a perfect cool, but violent and devious villain. The voice of Pit was a done well, with it's upbeat attitude and cheerful sound. (although some times a little over the top.) The voice of Palutena was very suitable. Calm, and respectable, but more loud and authoritative when need be. I'm not going to mention any other characters since most others would be likely spoiling the game for you. I'll let you figure it all out.
Weapons:
The weapons system added a whole new level of customization to the game. With different 12 different kinds of weapons, and then 12 of each kind, there was more then enough to chose from. For those who like close ranged, speedy combat, the claws. For those that liked to take their opponents out from afar, the staffs. With these different categories, come different preferred tastes of fighting. It's fairly easy to get stronger weapons, and over time if you play a high enough difficulty you can get massive ammounts of strength and damage, and incredible bonuses.
The fusion system is very unique as well. Most weapons can be fused with other weapons to create new ones of a different category, and also get extra bonuses and effects. However sometimes you combine two of your most powerful weapons, and don't get something nearly as good as you expected. Although you can see the weapon it will create, you don't know about the weapons built in stats like its standard range and speed until you try it out. But the rest of the system is great.
Multi Player:
The multiplayer section of the game deserves a very large amount of recognition. Being able to play online against other people and friends quickly is an amazing option. Unlike Super Smash Brothers Brawl's online multiplayer, Kid Icarus: Uprising is quick to put you up against other people and go out for battle. The only issue is you have no idea how strong these people may be in terms of weapons. You could be thrown into a group of people with high level weapons and bonuses that give them a significant advantage. But then again, this is common in multiplayer.
Another issue that I find is the lag. On many occasions I have gone in to finish some one off, and when I strike they vanish and are suddenly behind me. Tip of advice, if you see a player standing suspiciously still you are likely seeing some lag. Don't charge because they will strike you as you flail your arms at the air. Fortunately though this issue isn't unbearable. It doesn't happen too often, so it shouldn't be something that makes a difference on your decission to purchase the game.
Controls:
If you're like me, you like to lie on your side occasionally when playing a videogame for a portable console. Unfortunately with Kid Icarus: Uprising that's nearly impossible. Almost every part of each hand is busy doing something during the whole game. Your index finger is hold the shoot button, your thumb is moving and steering the circle pad, and your other hand is aiming your reticle with the touch screen, while being on the ready to use an ability or power at a time when you need it. When in the sky the camera moves itself and you just follow up and dodge and shoot. But on the ground, you are on your own. You have to make little flicks to adjust the screen, which is how it determines the difference between aiming the reticle or changing camera angle. You can imagine it's frustrating when you flick a little too hard or a little too softly and don't even come close to what you were trying to look at.
But this is all understandable. Nintendo sends a stand to make up for it, but it doesnnt help much. The controls are difficult to get used to and rather confusing and chaotic near the start, especially when they get you killed. It takes time, but you can get past them and use them well after a while.
Other Comments:
Now just to say a few things that don't need or belong in a category.
The menu of Kid Icarus: Uprising is a massive referene to Super Smash Brothers Brawl, among others as well of course. However the menu uses the same colour scheme, icon design, and options. Even the vault where you can view bonus unlockables and content is straight from Brawl. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing. It's a neat little reference, but it would have been cool to see them design a new menu.
There are several other things i could cover, but I wont for the folowing reasons. One, it would probably spoil a large portion of the game. Two, this review doesn't need to cover the tiniest details. Three, my hands are cramped. Okay so maybe number three isnnt that important, but you get what I mean. There is so much to cover in Kid Icarus Uprising, that I just focused on the big parts. There's also hundreds of unlockable items and powers, and extra bonuses and achievements.
Conclusion:
Kid Icarus: Uprising is an amazing revival of a classic retro video game, that has exploded into popularity. It pushes the 3DS's graphics to the max and shows off it's features better then any game I know, and gives you a great view on the possibilities the system holds, through a funny, yet intense action adventure game. I would recommend this game to any one that wants to see just what their 3DS can do and enjoy it at the same time.
- Rockalot likes this
