Model: Zero Suit Samus
Porter: FluxMage and mariokart64n
Face Posing: Yep
Finger Posing: Yep
Eye Posing: Of course
Flexibility Rating: 5 (mario’s) and 3 (Flux’s)
Ease of Use: 4 (mario’s) and 4 (Flux’s)
Mario’s Samus DOWNLOAD and FluxMage’s Samus DOWNLOAD
First, we must note that this is not a standard review – but a comparison of the two available versions of Zero Suit Samus. This article is NOT about proving one ports dominance over the others, but instead it will focus on what each port offers you, the user.
FluxMage’s Port:
Flux’s port offers a version of Samus, that while having some aesthetic issues ends up being the more professional of the two releases. It comes with full face, finger, and eye posing, coupled with multiple variants available as Alyx Vance replacements for the HL2 single player campaign. This port also attempts to make up for a lack of texture refinement by a use of phong, which brings about a more ‘true to life’ version of Samus’ suit from the actual Smash Bros title.
Notice how awkward the eyelashes and bangs look on this and compare it to the Nintendo original.
However, even with these additions the lack of flexibility leaves much to be desired. This is a paramount issue when regarding how useful a model is to the average user, and to be honest – without a decent understanding of the EASY WELD trick, most people will only be able to get her in the most standard of poses. The main issue seems to stem from the lack of a secondary pelvis bone (re: grabbing her waist and moving it counts for her abdomen, lower back, and pelvis), which causes an inability for full leg movement without the model looking stressed.
However, even with the limitations of flexibility – standard poses are still very possible.
Also, it must be stated that the proportions of the model seem to be off in relation to the actual SSB:Brawl model, with the upper body and head wider and much more ‘man-esque’. I initially thought that this may have been a result of the phong lighting somehow giving the character an apparent boost in stature or girth, but when placed side by side with Mario’s model, the differences become that much more apparent:
Mario’s release is far more true to “form”, while Flux’s just seems far less ‘lithe’
Final Thoughts:
All in all, this is a very good port and the phong lighting DEFINITELY helps hide the imperfections from the textures. It also keeps the overall aesthetic of the model very close to the original, and gives the suit a more rubber-ish look when viewed at multiple light sources. Couple that with the face, finger, and eye posing options and you have yourself a port that even while riddled with small nuances and issues – rises above as a great addition to your spawnlist.
Mario’s Port:
Mario’s port of Samus brings us back to the original slender and lithe build of the character, yet something seems amiss. It could be that the lack of phong lighting showcases the issues with the textures on the suit, or it could be that a lack of real finger and face posing (at least in the same vein of Flux’s port) are weighing down it’s use-ability. However, the fact that this release came with every color variant from the Wii title, has a flexibility rating that is almost perfect, and pre-designed face posing sliders keep it completely workable.
Comparing this to the original shows you how close Mario has attempted to keep this port.
Now while we’ve come to expect superb flexibility in all of Mario’s latest releases, we’ve also come to expect a lack of ‘true’ finger or face posing. However, he does at least offer the option to make the hands clench into fists as well as giving pre-determined facial mannerisms on sliders to mess with. In turn, the model retains some of it’s personality and given the high flexibility, it becomes that much more useful to the average user.
We can compare overall aesthetics all day long, but the difference in flexibility is completely non-debatable.
Also, we must take a look at what the lack of phong lighting does to Samus’ suit in Mario’s release. Instead of keeping that soft, rubbery look to it; the suit itself has a highly reflective (almost vinyl or latex) sheen. Now, this not only seems off putting when looking at the two different models side by side, but if you put Samus’ in a dark room it really begins to show off (whether or not you like it, is totally up to you).
Just as always, posing isn’t an issue. You can do damn near anything without the need of EASY WELD.
Final Thoughts:
The flexibility and physical build of this model shines true to the original design, almost enough to overcome it’s lack of features. However, it’s easily useful for any user new to GMod; and with the multiple colors it comes with you can really get something out of it. The face sliders really give the model some personality (a feature usually lacking from Mario’s releases), and even if we only have the ability to clench her fists, it’s still better than nothing (but still not as good as Flux’s full blown options).
Super Awesome Final FINAL Thoughts:
Both ports have obvious positive and negatives, but both are easily worth checking out and adding to your spawnlist. If you’re looking to get the best of both worlds, you may want to try swapping heads between the two models (using the NO COLLIDE tool and the INFLATOR tool). This should give you full blown face posing from Flux’s port while retaining the flexibility of Mario’s offering.
