With Andross destroyed, the Cornerian Army has been involved in a few skirmishes with the remnants of the Venom forces, led by Andrew Oikonny, nephew to Andross. The Star Fox team have been aiding the Cornerian forces. Peppy Hare has withdrawn from combat, but directs from the Great Fox, while new team mate Krystal has taken his place.
During a showdown against Andrew, his ship is destroyed by a streak of light. An unidentified insect-like creature appears and Fox battles with it. Then hundreds more appear. The half insect, half machine hybrids are known as the Aparoid, a hive mind race capable of infecting other life forms and machines to turn them into Aparoids.
All Aparoids contain a Core Memory, issuing information from the Aparoid Queen. Slippy's father, Beltino Toad, directs you to collect as many of these Core Memories as you can so he can research ways to destroy the army.
Star Fox: Assault returns to the shooting genre, but rather than focusing mostly on Arwing flying, each stage changes how you need to wipe out the enemies. As well as the Arwing, you will also need to pilot the Landmaster and run around on-foot with an armoury of weapons. On some stages, you need to switch between the various modes of transport in order to assist your team mates.
In the on-foot sections, Fox is armed with a weak blaster with infinite ammo, and he can collect extra weapons, including a machine gun, sniper rifle and grenades. In these areas you can also explore building interiors and narrow corridors.
As in Star Fox 64, you receive medals based on the clear conditions. When you clear every stage with a silver medal, you unlock the classic Namco game Xevious. In the Japanese version you can also unlock Battle City and Star Luster.
Multiplayer battle returns with a range of arenas and many more unlockable by playing through the single player campaign. Up to four players can play, starting on foot and allowing for vehicle combat as well, including Arwings, Landmasters and Star Wolf's Wolfen ships.
Star Fox GC / Star Fox AC
When Star Fox: Assault was first announced, it was under the name "Star Fox GC", and was going to be accompanied by an arcade title called "Star Fox AC" on the Triforce arcade board hardware. The game was never mentioned after this, and never saw release.
