Giles Goddard's 'Wild Blue': Is it a Star Fox Spiritual Successor, or Did They Just Magically Warp Back to the 90s?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Giles Goddard, a key creator of the original *Star Fox*, is back with *Wild Blue*, a new game that looks uncannily like a spiritual successor, complete with anthropomorphic pilots and rail-shooter action. It's a delightful throwback, but a curious choice of platforms (PC and Xbox) raises Jeff's eyebrows.
Right then, gather 'round, mates. I’ve been tinkering with this bit of news all morning, and bloody hell, it's wilder than it first appeared. You know that feeling when you try to cast a simple 'light' spell, and instead, you accidentally summon a miniature black hole that looks exactly like your neighbour's cat? Well, that's pretty much what Giles Goddard, the legendary mind behind a fair chunk of the original *Star Fox*, seems to have done with his new game, *Wild Blue*.
Because, let's be frank, if you squint at the gameplay footage of *Wild Blue*, then un-squint, and then squint again just to be sure, you're going to think you've stumbled into some kind of forgotten Nintendo vault. We're talking anthropomorphic animals piloting sleek, slightly boxy spaceship-fighter-planes. We're talking those instantly recognisable aiming windows. We're talking bright, almost ethereal skyboxes. It's got the same visual DNA as a certain iconic rail shooter from the 90s, and frankly, I'm absolutely chuffed to bits about it.
The initial peek at *Wild Blue*'s gameplay from the Future Game Show yesterday was a real treat. It blended these delightfully zany anime cutscenes (presumably the story bits, eh?) with actual in-game aerial dogfighting. Picture this: little red and white craft boosting through levels that look like they're made of cotton clouds and lava-filled caves, barrel-rolling like mad through obstacles, zapping enemy craft, and then – my absolute favourite – popping up those little 'cheers for the assist, mate!' dialogue windows. Sound familiar? Because it absolutely should.
Even the trailer blurb itself doesn't pull any punches, boldly declaring *Wild Blue* "reimagines the classic on-rail adventures of the '90s." And it promises you'll join Bowie Stray and the Blue Bombers on a mission to save the world. If that doesn't scream 'spiritual successor' with a megaphone, I don't know what does. It’s a nostalgic journey, they say, and I reckon they're spot on.
Now, here’s where my curious wizard brain started sparking. Given Goddard's deep, almost mythical Nintendo heritage – he was one of those rare Westerners plucked from the scruffy UK indie scene (Argonaut, bless 'em) and dropped straight into Nintendo's secretive Japanese HQ in the 90s – you'd think *Wild Blue* would be heading straight for a Nintendo console, wouldn't you? It's like finding out the bloke who designed Hogwarts is building a new wizarding school, but it's only for muggles on a Tuesday. But nope, *Wild Blue* is currently slated for PC and Xbox Series X/S. A curious spell indeed. What's the crack there? Licensing woes? A strategic sidestep? Or just a desire to cast a wider net?
Goddard's journey is a fantastic yarn, actually. He spent years at Nintendo, not just on *Star Fox*, but also chiselling away at gems like *1080 Snowboarding* and – get this – the iconic, pullable Mario face in *Mario 64*. He rubbed shoulders with legends like Shigeru Miyamoto and Satoru Iwata, soaking up that famously high Nintendo standard. When he eventually branched out with his own studio, it eventually rebranded to Chuhai Labs, stepping out from the direct Nintendo shadow, but always with that delightful Nintendo bent. Look at *Carve Snowboarding*, a clear successor to *1080*. And now, *Wild Blue*.
I remember reading about Goddard teasing this back in 2019. He couldn't spill the beans then, but he did say, "If you like *Star Fox* then you'll like this." And then, seeing the penny drop in the interviewer's mind (and probably mine too, virtually speaking), he quickly clarified: "It's not a *Star Fox* game. But if you like *Star Fox*, I think you'll like this." What a tightrope walk, eh? It’s not a clone, it’s not a direct sequel, but it absolutely wears its inspiration like a badge of honour. And frankly, that's a good thing.
Because while the gaming landscape is awash with endless sequels and reboots, a genuine spiritual successor from the original maestro himself? That’s a different beast entirely. It’s less about cashing in on nostalgia and more about a master craftsman finally getting to revisit a beloved formula, perhaps with all the lessons learned and no corporate shackles. It's the difference between a cover band and the original artist playing their classic hits with a fresh, matured perspective.
What does this mean for us, the actual players? It means the chance for a proper, unadulterated dose of 90s rail-shooter goodness, but with modern sensibilities and graphical polish. It means hoping for tight controls, exhilarating set-pieces, and maybe a story that's charmingly simple yet engaging. Will it deliver the same magical feeling as that first time piloting the Arwing? Time will tell, but Goddard's track record and the sheer audacity of *Wild Blue*'s resemblance certainly have my inner gaming wizard tingling with anticipation.
There's no release date yet, which is a bummer, but also gives us plenty of time to build up our hype shields. I, for one, can't wait to see if *Wild Blue* truly captures that delightful, delirious essence of its spiritual ancestor, or if it conjures up something entirely new that's just as brilliant. Either way, it’s going to be an interesting ride.
Tags: Wild Blue, Star Fox, Giles Goddard, Rail Shooter, Gaming Nostalgia
Original article: Eurogamer