Developer: Racdym Publisher: Sammy Release: N/A Genre: Shooter
Every system has a laundry list of games that were cancelled for one reason or another. Sometimes the developer or publisher goes out of business. Market conditions usually play a factor as well. But while I grew to accept it I will admit the cancellations for the Nintendo 64 especially hurt. The system had a meager library compared to the PlayStation as it is. Every cancellation made an already meager release calendar that much drier. Viewpoint 2064 was a game that was all but complete but as it would have hit stores in 2000 its prospects were dire and so it was shelved. But thanks to the internet it is available for everyone to sample. And you know what? This is a pretty cool game for what it is.
My history with Viewpoint is a bit odd. I never had the pleasure of playing the arcade original. It never showed up in any arcades in my area and I sure as hell did not know anyone with a Neo Geo. But I did play the lesser Sega Genesis port and the hard as nails PlayStation remake. The Nintendo 64 is a strange choice for the sequel to an arcade classic at first glance. But considering the game plays closer to Star Fox 64 it makes sense.
Despite the sharing the same ship and name mechanically Viewpoint 2064 has more in common with Star Fox 64 than its arcade predecessor. Your main weapons are a forward facing laser and lock-on missiles. By holding the attack button you can lock on to up to six targets and fire a barrage of homing missiles. Weapons are few but no less impactful. Aside from boosting the power of your lasers the rest provide two options at the sides of your ship. These either fire lightning, fire, or a spread shot. Most importantly you can position these satellites in front of your ship to catch bullets and power up your energy meter to unleash one massive attack.
Instead of the original’s 2D/isometric view, Viewpoint 2064 is a third person rail shooter. Much like Nintendo’s series and Panzer Dragoon you move along a fixed path as waves of enemies attack. The game occasionally shifts its camera angle, adding spectacle and variety to the proceedings. You have limited range of movement depending on the viewpoint to dodge attacks and position yourself. The game occasionally pays homage to the original by using the isometric view but these moments are rare.
Depending on what you are expecting given the name Viewpoint 2064 will either be a disappointment or a fresh start. The arcade original was a relentlessly punishing game that used its perspective to its advantage. The isometric view is still unique in the genre and while most never saw most of its content it was still great overall. Viewpoint 2064, by mimicking Star Fox, is more accessible but a bit generic and not as good. Pacing and enemy placement feels less refined with lots of dead air. When it is good it is good. When it is bad it is bad. While the levels themselves are easy the boss battles are unbalanced. Creatively they are great. But they are damage sponges and quickly become repetitive.
Lest I paint a dire picture overall the game is solid with a few flaws. You can excuse some of them as the game is technically incomplete. It has more good points than bad. Aside from its mechanics Viewpoint borrows some of Star Fox structure. There are 15 stages across branching paths, with one run comprising five levels. There is a story but it is so nonsensical it is not worth going over. The levels cover a wide span of environments with some being truly spectacular set pieces. Alongside the solid graphics and fantastic soundtrack that is plenty of reason to play through this one multiple times.
In Closing
Viewpoint 2064 has little to do with the original game beyond its ship and occasional….viewpoint. But that does not matter as it is a solid shooter on its own merits. If you are looking for more of the nail biting action of the arcade original you will be disappointed. But if you want a solid shooter that takes after Nintendo’s classic series Viewpoint 2064 will scratch that itch. Even though it is nothing special it would have gone a long way toward adding sorely needed diversity to the system’s library.
