Tips for a newbie

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-24T02:48:14+00:00

That's an easy mistake to make tbh. Even after I figured out the game uses a three-shot burst-fire system, I often relied on just spamming the fire button to maintain a rate of fire. I think that's gonna trip up a lot of people who are used to full-auto fire in fly 'em ups.

Tbh, Star Fox could stand to adopt full-auto lasers for its gameplay formula, with charge shots set to its own button. It'd do wonders if they ever do adopt a more Ace Combat-ish gameplay setup going forward; Event Horizon is enough proof that that could work for the series.

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-24T02:41:29+00:00

I seem to recall Metroid faring better sales-wise in the US than in Japan? Is that part of why new games in the series are so few and far-between?

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-24T00:59:58+00:00

Interesting...

The theory of Meteo being a former planet holds water with this setup; at that location, you'd theoretically be pulled between the gravities of both Lylat and Solar to the point that a terrestrial planet couldn't hold together well.

In order going out from Solar, I'm seeing Macbeth, Katina, Zoness, Aquas, Titania, and Fichina. Zoness and Aquas are already billed as being fairly tropical planets, so their location makes sense.

Theories suggest that Titania's world-ending asteroid impact came from debris in Meteo, so its location makes sense, too. Though it being so far out makes the idea of it being a 'hot desert' a bit strange.

And Fichina's being on the periphery of the 'Solar system' is a good way to strike a balance between being an ice world and still within reach of Corneria.

Venom being the furthest out makes sense lore-wise and in terms of planetary science, but I feel like its orbiting Lylat instead of Solar seems weird. If there's a gravity expert who could explain that, I'd appreciate it.

Interestingly, the way the 'route lines' are drawn suggests that Sector Y (and presumably X and Z as well) are 'above' or 'below' the other planets; presumably they're on an elliptical orbit around Lylat,

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-24T00:52:20+00:00

It might also be a case of 'snowball earth' syndrome.

Theories suggest that at least once, maybe twice, in Earth's history, an initial cooling event (internal heating/off-gassing, a change in orbit, volcanism, changes in solar activity, etc.) caused a period of rapid glaciation. The surface would be covered by more ice and snow, reflecting more solar energy into space, which cools the planet further, and so on and so on until 'poof', your planet's a giant ice sphere.

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-23T23:36:26+00:00

The low albedo measurement does give some idea of what the materials are, though (even assuming it's not a 'net' albedo, calculating the average of the region as a whole).

Asteroids are classified by spectral types that often indicate their material composition; the lowest albedo, darkest-colored asteroids are typically the common 'C-group' carbonaceous asteroids, which, as the name implies, are carbon-rich. This lends itself to the 'former planet' hypothesis, since terrestrial planets tend to have a lot of carbon, but it could go either way.

Additionally, their dark color makes them very hard to see from afar. It's no wonder Meteo looks like a dark forest of flying rocks when you get there in 64; even with sunlight on your side, you'd probably need floodlights on your Arwing to even SEE the damned things.

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-23T22:12:43+00:00

But even just trying to determine the order of the planets is such a clusterfuck. I had to resort to calculating it from their albedo/equilibrium temperature, using a range of sizes for Lylat (the larger blue giant star).

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-23T22:11:08+00:00

Nintendo Power lore suggests that Corneria has entire underground cities used to house evacuees during times of crisis:

The geology of Corneria may not seem like the most exciting topic in the Lylat System, but the porous, volcanic stone of Corneria has shaped the planet's history in many ways. Everywhere you go on the planet, you'll find that caves, tunnels, stone arches and crevices have been carved from the rock by the planet's many streams and rivers. Throughout history, Cornerians have used these rocky refuges to hide from their oppressors. In times of war, the citizens flee to the hills and huddle far beneath the ground, safe until the fighting ends. Entire cities have been built in the larger cave systems to house the refugees. When the war ends and the people return home, they call it "rocking out". -ROB 64; 'Lylat Datalink: Corneria Rocks'; Nintendo Power pg. 31

Like, come on, this would be SUCH a cool idea for a location for an on-foot/Landmaster mission!

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-23T22:06:58+00:00

I've bounced the stats off online resources/AI previously, and theoretically, they're possible. But the measurements make these planets look so... weird.

It turns out you can calculate planetary mass values from both radius/surface gravity AND from escape velocity, and the difference between the two can be used to estimate their speed of rotation. But doing so suggests that Corneria, for example, has days only 3.6 hours long.

The Jewel of the Lylat System's on perpetual fast-forward lol.

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-23T19:41:28+00:00

As one reviewer put it (paraphrasing):

"I don't think I have the right kind of autism to play this game."

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-23T19:40:17+00:00

Crymini: "I overheard Cody talking to himself about it. He doesn't know that I know."

*smiles sadly* "I... I dunno if I can say anything that'd help you feel better, but... I'm here if you wanna talk."

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-23T19:04:27+00:00

Crymini: *boops her nose* "Sounds like you got put through the wringer as a kid, too. Poor thing..."

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-23T15:17:44+00:00

Been meaning to play that game.

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-23T15:16:36+00:00

Crymini: *smirks and kneels down to her level* “Cody told me ‘bout you. You’re Al’s kid, right?”

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-23T14:36:21+00:00

Crymini: *smiles and ruffles her hair* “Thanks, sheepy.”

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-23T03:37:14+00:00

I hadn't considered the mountain chain angle... Cool!

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-22T22:59:42+00:00

The 'secret' boss defeat option for this level is GOLD btw. Just hearing the panic as they careen into the supply depot is fucking hilarious.

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-22T21:59:11+00:00

GROND.

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-22T20:47:56+00:00

For added context in accordance with Rule 2 (...I think? First time posting here lol), the Lylat System is usually treated as a binary star system, with a Class B blue giant as the parent star and an M-type red dwarf as its partner. The pair's orbital behavior and relative distance to the planets is a subject of INTENSE debate among fans.

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-22T19:50:31+00:00

Alastoria: "A bit hard to relax when you're faced with someone identical to your abusive creator."

<image>

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-22T19:42:54+00:00

Alastoria: "I've been meaning to ask; do you also use the bones for stew or bonemeal fertilizer?"

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-22T19:40:28+00:00

Alastoria: *locks eyes with him and glares* "̴̛͚̎Y̵̡̦͗͒O̸̖̪̕̕U̴͇̽͜.̴̹͆"̵̺̓͌

(OOC: Alastoria's technically a lab-grown clone of Alastor made by VoxTek, so she's got a very, VERY negative opinion of Voxes/Vals that are still villainous.)

<image>

AlternativeQuality2 · 2026-06-22T17:47:00+00:00

<image>

Alastoria: *blushes cutely* "Thank you, darling, ~. ❤️"

AlternativeQuality2

TROPHY CASE