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Wednesday 20 February, 2008
Gameplay #2:
After revisiting SSB, I discovered some basic elements that it lacks in comparison to conventional games on the N64. There is a limited narrative in single player and really does nothing to tell a story or give a background context to the game. There is little flow in terms of level transition because the game is set up in a series or individual battles that one plays on a limited playing field.
On a positive note, there is much possibility for both quick matches and long, tense battles. Depending on the skill level of the players involved and the characters chosen, battles can range in their difficulty and length. CPU characters are an interesting addition to the game. Their availability adds opportunity for play in multiplayer mode when there is a lack of available human players, or one just wants to brush up on his/her skills. I always had fun trying to battle a pair of high-level computer players in “versus” on my own.
Design:
Upon playing SSB for an extended period of time, I came to realize the complexity of the gameplay. It is clearly a game of emergence and requires the honing of skills in order to beat an experienced player. Each available character has a set of skills and moves that can be used in a variety of situations. Timing is essential when play gets competitive. Certain moves in the game are useful in certain level locations or in the context of various skill combos. One has to think on the spot while planning and executing their next move. On a competitive level this all occurs very quickly.
It is amazing to me how flawless the game is in terms of character-move interactivity. There is a priority system for characters’ moves and how they react to each other. For example, one character’s sword might have priority over another’s grab attack. This develops each character’s unique skill set and sets up strengths and weaknesses. The balance that is achieved despite this complexity is amazing. One can learn all of this in the game and even invent their own approach to utilizing skills. This raises replay value tremendously; the fun never ends with this game.
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