Controlling Starfy proves quite simple; it should not take long to become acclimated to what Starfy can do. However, the fact that Starfy can become tired and therefore vulnerable proves an inconvenience when you are trying to get past waves of foes.
Moe and Bunston ably accompany Starfy on his travels and they do not sit idly while Starfy handles his business. Moe will dole out advice on the various situations that Starfy has to deal with, whether that comes through navigating specific portions of the levels or dealing with the bosses that Starfy faces. In addition, Moe will also allow Starfy the option of calling in Starfy’s erstwhile sister, Starly, for assistance. This option essentially transforms the single-player adventure into one that can be played cooperatively. Bunston’s contributions come through both filling in aspects of the story for players and by assisting Starfy through various transformations, which can be accessed through various stones that can be found throughout the levels. These transformations play out in scenes and actions that draw strong comparisons to Kirby’s various animal forms that first started becoming available in his second Dream Land adventure for the original Game Boy.
In fact, the similarities to Kirby are not just present in these animal transformations; it is also made apparent when you navigate through Starfy’s world. One example is the relatively laid-back nature of the game; with very few exceptions, the foes that Starfy meets will rarely obstruct his adventures, simply choosing to wander in a set area, minding their own business. The bosses that Starfy encounters on his journey also follow set patterns and once you memorize those patterns, they are rather easy to defeat. Along with the lax nature of the game’s foes, various mistakes that Starfy may make, such as failing to complete an objective or falling from a crevice, are merely punished through the loss of a heart and/or the opportunity to try again. In addition, opportunities to save your progress are numerous, as save markers (denoted by Starfy’s mermaid friend) are spread liberally throughout the levels. In addition, the mermaid will automatically save your progress upon your return to the map screen, and will do so manually through pressing the ‘L’ button.
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