Lylat Wars (star Fox 64)

Lylat Wars (Star Fox 64)

Scrolling Shooter

Nintendo 1997

Notable Archetypes

The Hero - Fox McCloud

Fox is the leader of the Star Fox mercenary team, hired by the head of the Cornerian Army on numerous occasions to repel Andross’ invasion attempts. He is the embodiment of the Cornerian people’s will to be free from Andross’ tyranny.

The Father - James McCloud

James was betrayed by fellow member of the original Star Fox team on a scouting mission to Venom. After being killed at the hands of Andross, Fox McCloud dropped out of the Cornerian Air Force and headed the Star Fox team in his dad’s place. James was dedicated to maintaining peace in the Lylat system.

The Wise Old Man - Peppy Hare

Peppy is the only member of the team to have served with James McCloud (Fox’s father). He is older and more experienced than all other members of Star Fox, and offers advice and reassurance to Fox.

The Shadow - Wolf O’Donnell

Wolf is the leader of the ‘Star Wolf’ mercenary team. Star Wolf is a team comparable to Star Fox, except hired by Andross rather than General Pepper; an elite force tasked with hunting Star Fox across the Galaxy. Wolf works for Andross not for any real loyalty to him, but only for the opportunities it allows him to kill Fox.

The Dragon Forces - Andross

Andross was exiled to the planet Venom, the furthest planet from Corneria in the Lylat System and a barren, desolate wasteland. From this planet he launches offences against the rest of the Lylat System with the intention of taking Corneria by force. Most of the enemies encountered by Star Fox are under the command of Andross. His projection of power is his vast fortress on the (and under) surface of Venom, and his tendrils of power extend to the far reaches of the galaxy. His most potent weapon is Star Wolf, which roams the system hunting their furry prey.

The Departure

The Call to Adventure

Refusal of the Call - N/A

Supernatural Aid - 5 (Out of sequence)

The Star Fox team can visit planet Katrina on their journey to Venom, where they must destroy a huge alien ship to defend a friendly installation. A friend of Fox from the Cornerian Flight Academy, Bill Grey, provides combat support for the Star Fox team, deploying ‘Bulldog’ and ‘Husky’ units in the battle against waves of enemy ships.

The Crossing of the First Threshold - 8

A cutscene shows the Star Fox team leaving the Great Fox in their Arwing fighters, giving up the relative safety for the danger of the galaxy.

The Belly of the Whale - 7

One of the members of Star Fox, Slippy Toad, is lost while fighting a large robot, and his ship crashes on the nearby planet Titania. Fox must traverse the surface of Titania in a tank (the ‘Landmaster’), with Falco and Peppy flying high above in their Arwing fighters. For this mission, Fox is distinctly alone on the planet’s surface, and must battle hordes of Andross’ minions in order to reach and rescue Slippy. Slippy’s rejoining of the Star Fox team represents the Hero’s growth, and climbing back into the cockpit of an Arwing, giving Fox the freedom he lost in his tank, is the rebirth into the light.

Initiation

The Road of Trials - 7 (Out of sequence)

To reach Venom, the Star Fox team must planet-hop through the Lylat System. Each planet represents one ‘trial’, with the Road of Trials encompassing the entire game.

The Meeting with the Goddess - N/A

Woman as the Temptress - N/A

Atonement with the Father - 9 (Out of sequence)

Killing Andross not only saves the Lylat System, but atones with Fox’s father. Andross killed James McCloud before the events of the game unfolded, so his slaying at the hands of Fox is classis Campbellian atonement. Indeed, after his demise, James’ ghost guides Fox out of Andross’ base to safety.

Apotheosis - 7

“You’re getting more and more like your father” - Peppy Hare. After saving the Lylat System from Andross and escaping from his underground fortress, Fox has become more like James McCloud, a very real and simple Apotheosis.

The Ultimate Boon - N/A

Return

Refusal of the Return - 3 (Out of sequence)

Although never refusing the actual return (the return to the Great Fox and the life of a mercenary), Fox, and by extension, his team, refuse to join the Cornerian army.

The magic Flight - 10 (Out of sequence)

Andross’ death results in the destruction of his base, putting Fox in immediate danger of dying in the fireball. His father, James McCloud, appears in a ghostly form and flies through the maze-like structure, inviting Fox to follow him. If James had not shown up, the chances of Fox escaping would have been vastly reduced.

Rescue from Without - 9

Andross’ death results in the destruction of his base, putting Fox in immediate danger of dying in the fireball. His father, James McCloud, appears in a ghostly form and flies through the maze-like structure, inviting Fox to follow him. If James had not shown up, the chances of Fox escaping would have been vastly reduced.

The Crossing of the Return Threshold - 7

The Star Fox team returns to Corneria, where their mission began, amidst peace and jubilance.

Master of the Two Worlds - 10

This stage of the game is intrinsically linked with the Freedom to Live stage - Fox and Star Fox have dominated Andross’ forces on Venom, and have become the heroes of Corneria. The two worlds are geographically and ideologically poles apart.

Freedom to Live - 10

After freeing the Lylat System from Andross, Fox is free to lead Star Fox how he chooses. As well as the literal freedom enjoyed by him, his team, and the inhabitants of Lylat, Fox is free from the demons of his past - Andross and his father’s murder.

Conclusion

Lylat Wars conforms strongly to Campbellian narrative progression, most of the present stages scoring at least 7. Instead of having weak demonstrations of stages, Nintendo omitted them entirely, creating an almost operatic adventure, devoid of undertones.