Review - Kid Icarus: Uprising
A new Kid Icarus game has been a long time coming. It was rumored to be on the Wii after main character Pit's inclusion in Super Smash Brothers Brawl. But the years came and went, and no Wii Icarus game to be found. Then, along with the reveal of their new Nintendo 3DS handheld, the curtain was pulled back on Kid Icarus: Uprising. Pit soared through the sky, and apologized for keeping people waiting.
Maybe they should've let us wait a tad longer.
Kid Icarus: Uprising is an action game that involve using a variety of weapons to blast at incoming enemies. Each stage typically starts with Pit activating his power of flight, which lasts no more than five minutes, as he flies through the air in an on-rails shooting section. Players can move Pit around the screen using the circle pad, attacking with the left shoulder button, and using the touch screen to aim. It is very reminiscent of Nintendo's other mostly-dormant series Sin & Punishment, using basic dodges, charge shots, and melee attacks if enemies get in too close.
It fits well with the 3DS control scheme. Arrows point out where enemies are to make it a little easier to aim, and circling Pit around the screen never feels intrusive between you and your target. Holding the button down let's you continuously fire, or pausing for a brief moment has you charge up for a more damaging burst attack. It brings in some strategy between attacks, as some charged blasts can take down more than one enemy at a time for a point bonus. Having your flight path controlled for you let's you concentrate on the enjoyable, if not a bit repetitious, shooting action.
Then you land on the ground. Each stage has a flight section followed by a ground section, where you now have full control over Pit. Here, the circle pad is used to move him around, the shoulder button is still attack, and the touch screen becomes both aiming the reticule and turning the camera. The movement is still adept, allowing Pit brief sprints or timed dashes to dodge around shots and enemies. The continous fire and charge shot attacks of the flight part retain themselves, although slightly altered to not be as spammable. Timing these shots with dashes gives different attacks, such as a three shot burst or even more damaging blast. Getting Pit up close allows you to combo melee attacks, giving you plenty of different attack options for targets. It gives more variety and tactics than the flight sections, so the longer, ground portions should be more enjoyable.
It's the touch screen controls that keeps that in check, though. The aiming of the reticule is just like the flying part, but turning Pit and the camera requires quick scratches on the screen. This often leads to the camera turning too slowly, turning too far, or turning in a slightly unintentional direction making you lose sight of your target. Tapping the screen during a turn will stop the camera instantly, but then your reticule is misplaced for shooting. It's all quite cumbersome, especially when you are in frantic battles trying to melee one monster, quick dodge around to another and then dash-blast a far off target. Considering the ground battles make up a majority of the single player campaign, it leads to a lot of frustration. This is only punctuated when you get into vehicles, where control is far more atrocious. The jet bike has minimal steering capability, and a bizarre ring thing will have you bouncing from wall to wall without any sense of command as you try to move forward. It's generally a linear path to get to the end, but you can find a few additional passages for treasures with new weapons or sealed doors that can only be opened with a certain difficulty.
Which is one of the more unique features Uprising sports. Much like the original NES game, Pit collects hearts to use as currency. At the beginning of each stage, you can "gamble" a portion of his heart total to increase or decrease the difficulty of the stage. The trade off is that the more hearts you put in, the more hearts you can get back when killing creatures, and certain doors require to have higher difficulties. Dying will lower the difficulty and cause you to lose some of those gambled hearts. And the game is difficult, with higher intensities being almost unfair, but not impossible.
The hearts can also be used to purchase new weapons for Pit. Between stages, you can see what is available in the shop, or take two weapons you already own and fuse them into something new. And there are a ton of weapons. There are eight different types, such as bows, swords, claws, energy palms, and staves. Each weapon you find will have randomized statistics, meaning each one will have different values for melee and ranged distance and damage, with special modifiers such as increased dodge, poison, or increased charge shot damage. Every weapon plays differently, so you can find one that fits your style. You can further customize yourself by using a power board, which has you placing different shapes onto a grid to get you extra powers. These powers are limited use abilities, giving you extra armor, a quick heal, or a devastating laser beam attack, to name a few.
Like with the hearts, Kid Icarus: Uprising uses quite a bit to pay homage to the NES classic. When showing an enemy on the top screen, the bottom screen will be used to remind you what it used to look like in the NES game, 8-bit graphics and all. This ends up being especially hilarious for some bosses. Familiar enemies return, including Medusa, the Eggplant Wizard, and the terrifying Reaper, which is accompanied by the original, untouched screeching melody that has haunted my dreams since my first encounter so many years ago. The music is gloriously beautiful, especially when listened to with headphones, and smartly uses the original "Underworld" melody in new ways.
Although, it would be great if you could actually hear the music in most cases. In an effort to drive forward the story, Pit and his guiding goddess Palutena, along with nearly every boss character, is given a voice and converse with one another. The issue is that they just never shut up. The story is definitely light-hearted, with a lot of self-references and fourth wall breaking, but the constant spatter of cheesy jokes from Pit and the others becomes grating and overpowering.
At least it doesn't interrupt how pretty the game is. Every stage, either flight or ground, has a fantastic sense of scale as you traverse through it. Environments have quite a bit of variety, if not a bit cliched, but running across a dragon's back is awe-inspiring. Characters are highly detailed, even if they're not the highest polygon count around. Most bosses are absolutely massive and impressive.This is another game where playing with the 3D on truly adds depth. Seeing energy blasts and lasers zoom past Pit and towards you is a neat little thing, and can help give you a better judgement of distance between you and your enemies.
The multiplayer of Kid Icarus: Uprising, which can be played online or off, doesn't fare as well as the single player. For one, it's ground battles only, and all previously mentioned control problems persist in it, along with frequent lag. There are two modes: a six player free-for-all, or a three-on-three variation on team deathmatch. The free-for-all is about what you would expect, but the team mode is a bit more interesting. Each player is randomly assigned to either the light or dark side as a generic angel soldier. Each team has a health bar at the bottom. As players respawn and are killed, the health bar depletes until one player on that side becomes Pit. Once the opposing team defeats Pit, they win. What makes it more unique is the ability to use any weapon you have collected in single player in multiplayer. Using a stronger weapon does give you an advantage, but the higher the value of the weapon, the more health bar is depleted when you are defeated. It becomes a delicate balance, choosing between strength and not being a liability to your team. It's a nice distraction, but I found myself wanting to play the single player more than multiplayer.
Which, if you're looking for a single player experience, Uprising will last you a surprisingly long time. The story mode has more levels than you would expect, passing well beyond the eight hour mark, to the point where it drags on and plot twists are too abundant. Unlocking weapons has a great allure along with creating new ones. An "Idol Toss" minigame let's you unlock idols, which are models of in-game assets, much like Smash Bros.' trophies. There are also multiple challenge boards, which are essentially achievements. Completing these will get you bonus hearts, unique weapons, or new idols. Getting all of them unlocked is quite a feat, and die-hard completionists will be astounded at how much they have to do.
There is also an alternate reality card game using the 3DS' camera. It's lame, pointless, and not worth your time.
Kid Icarus: Uprising may be the most meaty 3DS package available. The single player is lengthy but repetitious, with a staggering amount of unlocks for weapons, idols, and challenges. Being able to play on higher difficulties is extremely challenging and rewarding to get behind those sealed doors. The multiplayer is decent and has its own weapon rewards to keep you coming back. The flying and shooting gameplay is enjoyable, but the running and shooting gameplay is flawed. It makes for a mixed package. If you can adjust yourself and tolerate the ground portions, it's a pretty sizeable, good 3DS game.
Be ready for hand cramps.
Good
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Jared Knabenbauer is the ScrewAttack.com Reviews Editor, Hard News host, and a host of our weekly video podcast, "SideScrollers". He has also produced several notable ScrewAttack shows, including Reboot or Retro, Nametags, and Control Issues. He specializes in RPGs, and has a great fondness for Dungeons & Dragons. A comedian at heart, he is one serious gamer. |
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g1 DISCUSSIONS
screwuser999
nice review, and good advice to be ready for hand cramps
Hakuhellfang
This game deserves a 10. Or a 9 at least.This games makes having a 3DS awesome. It was the first game to use almost every aspect of the 3DS and they did it perfectly. This is one of my favorite games ever and I barely played the original.
stuff4fun
I gave it a 9.5. The music and the graphics are amazing, and most of the problems stated can be adjusted in the settings, like the controls and the voice acting. I purposely lowered the volume of the voices, so that I could hear the music way more, while still being able to listen the voices. Playing with 6 players for multiplayer remains choppy though.
iluvpopcorn23
I totally give this game a 9/10. I am a lefty, and they allowed the option to switch from the circle pad to the abxy keys! That is nice. Also, it is not required to use the touch screen. There is a control option (that I find MUCH easier to use) where you can use the other side (abxy for righties and circle pad for lefties) to control the camera/reticle. The main flaw is that later on, the stages become quite unforgiving, especially at higher intensities. I remember there was one stage I was playing where I kept falling in the lava because I was just trying to dodge enemies. I did a quick dodge and it put me into the lava. Again. And again. And again. Otherwise, the game is amazing, and a definite recommendation to anyone with a 3DS. I would say to get this over Super Mario 3D Land
nintendude444
i disagree, this deserves a 9.
Lipnox88
after you figure out how to control the game properly the game is a definite 9, id even throw a 10 at it myself. totally amazing game.
Lipnox88
I thought this game was going to be meh after this review then I played it. this game is one of the best ive ever played. Jared totally missed the mark on his score for this game.
pololmejor
I think this game is only for some people. I've heard a lot of complaints of people who don't like controllers. I got used to them pretty fast and have had not a single problem with them. I'm so used to them that I can easily say that there my favorite shooter controls ever! If this game would've been for WiiU I still would've prefferd to play it with the giant touchscreen. [I'd have more problems since it's too big, but my point is, Kid Icarus: Uprising's style is touch screen]
Raggle Fraggle
Sorry, but I don't agree with this review. I guess i can understand some of your points, but most i Disagree with, though Screwattack probably has the best review that says the game is OK.
I didn't have trouble with the control of the camera on land at all. It seems some websites have complained about this, but I don't understand why they don't like the land controls. I got it right away, so I don't know if its just me, but other fans seem to have no trouble. I guess I could see some people not wanting the characters to talk at some points, but I honestly found it kind of funny. At one point in the game, one character who acts a bit like a child at some points taunts you by saying "You're gonna fall! You're Gonna Fall!" when you are in a vehicle and you have to make a jump. I had no trouble listening to the music though, and it was great. Not sure why some people had trouble listening to it, and there is an option to turn the dialouge off. I agree, AR cards were pointless, but they were not made for the older gamers. Some levels do make it seem like its dragging on, mostly near the beginning of the middle, and the end of the middle. I had no hand cramps, and i played most of the chapters in one sitting.
stuff4fun
You aren't the only one
rush86
i have to say this game is just great if anyone on here doesnt have it get it now. Theres so much to do and its really challenging. I must of played well over 20 online matches and never expierenced lag so dont let that turn u off. And also wat he says about the dialogue. When ur playing the game and focusing on the action u dont even here wat pit and palentena are talking about. And the controls are seriously perfect once u get used to them.
thejudgementbreadman
Times like these make me more steadfast in my reasoning that Pokémon and Legend of Zelda do help the brain. Games with no voice acting are still enjoyable, btw. Is it really too much to read?
Brettman
I found it the other way around Jared, I couldn't hear the talking and story due to the music being to loud. Which I'm sure both could be adjusted in the settings.
EDIT: Ewww, reading comments make me sick!
FrankHaggar
Good review Jared :) Have to pick up this game when i get a 3ds
dadajo
It is common for people to complain about the voice work and the controls. Me personally I liked the voices in the background, and it only took me the first few levels to get the controls down. (Besides that stupid exo- tank! Grrr...) But, it feels like one of those games where you either like it or hate it. And, Jared you make some valid points like the online multiplayer. (Which I played once and hated.)
stuff4fun
Jared made great points about the multiplayer, but personally I still play it.
T-Shy-Guy
I honestly think your being a bit too hard on the game, hand cramps my ass. Though I use the A,B,X, and Y Buttons as camera buttons, so I have no idea how stylus users feel. I mean, the controls ARE fully customizable. did you even attempt to create a layout that would be more comfortable? Sheesh.
TechDragon Inc
I hope this game doesn't mean that Pit's going to be more projectile happy in the next Smash Bros. Yikes.
wolffster25
Well I knew going into this that the controls were going to be an issue especially the camera but I have found that the best option to fix it is to simply set the retical speed to fast for both horizontal and vertical and set have it stop as quickly as possible (aka all the way too the right) this prevents it from going all over the place and keeps the camera as steady as possible. The controls are hurdle and they will make or break the experience for anyone. Also you can eventually turn off the dialogue but you have to at least finish the game first but I really liked the dialogue after all it is self aware of how ridiculous the game is.
jamrenzee
And if you don't want to beat the game first, one could always turn down the dialogue volume and move the captions to the bottom screen and *poof* dialogue is effectively gone. So any complaints about the dialogue should be ignored simply because of the fact that the dialogue can be ignored.
Caswaltz
I'm a bit disappointed. I was expecting a video review, since this was a big title, and that's what I expect for big titles, at least on this site.
I understand you can't capture footage, and I understand even if you could, it takes time. But why not just clip together stuff from trailers that you have that demonstrates the aspects of the game being focused on at those moments?
I just think a video review would have been better spent on this than Silent Hill, which has not been relevant in ages with little hype and would have been better suited than a game that is one of the biggest draws for a system.
As for the review itself, I agree somewhat with the written portion. Not that the characters are annoying (that's 90% of the charm)., but reasonable. The score, not so much, but that's more due to it being in general a bad method of appraising a games worth. As if one could grade a game like one can an algebra test.
Brettman
Agreed! I was really hoping for a video review as well!
Mach5Mike
That was a great review with an agreeable and fair score. While I haven't been able to play the game yet, everything that I've seen and heard (mostly heard, thanks to the constant yet entertaining dialogue) makes me believe that this game is definitely worth buying.
PhantomExdeath
Wait,wait what the hell are people complaining about? Reading? seriously? Hmm... voice acting in today's games seem to have spoiled people...
Also the cramped hands is obviously meant in humor. Jared plays Monster Hunter afterall, he's likely used to 'the claw' by now... that's some real hand cramps right there.
Lucario157
the game is fun, if you play in short bursts... i didn't really have a problem with the camera...
ExplodingLobster
Oh dear lord, this is a WRITTEN review! I can't read this even though you find text everywhere you go on the internet! You should stop being lazy and make this a video review!
Doctor Rover
I find reading better for a review as it takes out any subjective emotion in compliments and criticisms, too bad that the internet has to drive emotion into these reviews and take the so out of hand.
We all know in school that a 70% is a C that is close to becoming a D, but this isn't school kiddies the video game grading reviews are subjective to many trolls but I believe everyone can agree that 1- Not Recommended 5 - Mixed 10 -Highly Recommended
Craig
please do NOT call Jared lazy for a written review. I don't think you grasp the amount of time it takes to produce a video review. Just to give you a little incite, between gameplay capture, script, voicing and editing it can sometimes take over 40 hours. With that said, unfortunately some games simply won't be able to be given video review treatment as we have so many games coming in to the HQ and we need to produce quality reviews in a timely manner for you guys to enjoy. Do i prefer video reviews? Absolutely but I'm certainly not going to complain because my eyeballs and brain have to do a little reading. Jared is doing a great job as ScrewAttack's Review Editor and that criticism isn't warranted.
ExplodingLobster
That comment was satirical Craig. I didn't mean to cause any offence.
Yashooo
I think he was just joking Craig xD
Slickness
I THINK THIS REVIEW IS PROOF THAT SCREW-ATTACK SHOULD GET RID OF THE PRETENTIOUS AS ALL HELL NUMBER BASED REVIEW SYSTEM.
Slickness
What do you think of the game, Craig? From what I remember you seemed to be fueling the hype factor of this game the most (Consisting of this website).
fiddlebender
I know right? As more of these written reviews emerge I start to understand better what Craig meant when he said he doesn't like to read, preferring to do audio and video for ScrewAttack.
stuff4fun
I haven't played this game, but my friend tells me that he sometimes pauses the game because his hand gets numb. Thought there were 9 weapons... BTW great review Jared.
nintendojunky89
9 types of weapons
stuff4fun
That's what I meant, but thanks for the correction.
yggdra324
the online is amazing
usedgamer
Jared... I want to be a lazy ass and not read ... :( (but if it helpsyou get more reviews out ifyou write them I completly understand.)
SM3Carnage
I really loved this game. Its one of my favorites! Its not flawless but I love it anyways. Though I do understand that some people might find it more annoying then I do. But still, good review as always!
orangeapples
I think the thing that people forget about this game is that it is designed to be a game on the go. 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there. The action is quick and will hold your attention, but if you're playing for hours upon hours yes, it will seem really repetitive, but all games will get "repetitive" after a large number of hours.
Thief92
I'll definitely give it a try Jared. Now lets hear the internet bitch about how this isn't a 10 >.>
Tpayne80
Should have been lower. It was a OK game. 6.5 for me.
LineBeckIV
I disagree, while it had its fair share of flaws, the games offers A TON of great additions which far outwheigh the positives.
TWOxACROSS
Jesus...write a review and suddenly everyone else thinks they're entitled to put in their two cents about how well you review a game. Reviewing the review? Sorry Jared, I give this Review a paltry 7 out of 10.
7s are bad right? I mean, everyone complaining about a 7, it must be an absolutely horrible number. Is it like golf? Yeah, it must be like golf.
rvgarafola
Thank you Jared for your review... I completely agree with the score even though I have only played it for a little bit. Also for everyone else... reading is good it helps the brain.
SierraFoxtrot
After reading some of these comments, I've almost lost all my faith in this community. Guys, does it really take that much of an effort to READ a couple of paragraphs?!
Bealtespip122
Too bad there's no voice acting. "UGH!! You mean I have to READ!?". -___-
Nitroklop
I hear you... People really need to pay more attention to the actual substance of reviews rather than only looking at the score.
Cam the TriforceBoy
I agree with a lot of stuff Jared noted here. While the controls did feel pretty damn awkward for me at first, after awhile I was able to adjust to them and they don't really bother me anymore. I really think the experience with the controls varies from person to person. I admit that the flying segments are better than the ground segments, but I personally still rather enjoy the ground segments despite the flaws with the controls. And I also have to admit, the dialogue does go on and on but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it, as several of the one-liners/fourth-wall breaks did make me chuckle and I really think that the voice acting isn't half bad. And I definitely agree on the AR card game being completely pointless... Personally, Uprising has probably become one of my favorite 3DS games, despite its flaws.
Also, wow community. Do you really need to go insane because it's difficult for ScrewAttack to capture 3DS footage that looks decent and you have to read some paragraphs or that Jared didn't give it a perfect score yet still said it was good?! For Pete's sake, guys!
geminia999
How could you possibly hate the dialogue D: