NESpresso: Game Reviews \ GCN \ Metroid Prime

Game Stats
System: Gamecube
Genre: 1st Person Adventure
Players: 1
Memory used: 1 Block
Playtime: 00:10 / 20:00
ESRB Rating: Teen (13+)

GCN-GBA Link compatible (Metroid Fusion ONLY)

After a decade on vacation, Nintendo's bad girl suits up once more against the power-hungry Space Pirates in a new adventure. Only this time it's in 3D & You're in the driver's seat.

For those who are new to the Metroid series, here's the quick breakdown on it. In a distant galaxy around the 22nd century & the Space Pirates are the most imfamous outlaws. Headed by Mother Brain, they strive to defeat the Galaxy Police & rule the galaxy with an iron fist. As part of their domination over the galaxy, they managed to get their hands on a creature from SR388, which has been known as "Metroid". The Galaxy Police, having problems keeping order WHILE going after the space pirates, hires Samus Aran, the best bounty hunter in the galaxy to take down the Space Pirates.

Samus has successfully destroyed the Space Pirate's Headquarters beneath the surface of planet Zebes. Samus was heading home when she spots a distress signal from a damaged space station, which happened to be in the possession of the Space Pirates. After a brief run-in with an old nemesis, Samus dashes back to her ship to follow him to Talon IV.

Back in 1997/98, Metroid fans were starting to wonder when Metroid 64 (N64) & they were enraged when the game was announced canceled. They started the "Demand Aran" web campaigne in an attempt to pursuade Nintendo to release a new Metroid Game. After almost 5 years later, Nintendo & Retro Studios finally delivered the next chapter in the Metroid saga.

From wrecked space stations to lush green environments & from molten pits of lava to the frozen tundra. It's really functional landscapes, all from the view of Samus herself. The only exception from the first-person perspective is when you're using the morph ball, then you're in a 3rd person perspective. Besides Samus's view, there's 3 other visors that could be used & giving you practically the entire electromagnetic spectum that could be easily viewed.

Not only you get the scenery, you also get to see stuff that makes you feel like you're actually there! The spatter of alien parts, water dripping off & condensation on the visor. If you're lucky, you might even see Samus's face reflected in visor. One thing that's a MUST playing this game is that you look at the entire screen! One thing that I've been guilty of doing myself is looking just around the center of the screen & ignore some important instruments that could have prevented some unneeded damage & aimless wandering.

The tunes that are synonymous with Metroid have been tuned up & remixed for the next generation of gamers. From the title screen, you're immersed with perfectly tuned background music. You're not blasted with music thru-out the game & it's not highly repetitious. One thing that is a must is that you hook up your cube to your sound system or at least have a TV with stereo since audial clues in the area can be key to your health, especially when Metroids are under glass.

Many old-school players (like myself) were concerned with the transition from 2D to 3D. Thanksfully, these concerns were laid to rest. After a reasonably short learning curve, the controls are easily learned. However, I had a few minor mishaps when trying to perform a few actions, but it could be from the old school ideals. The game uses every button in a practical way so there's no truely awkward combinations.

As for gameplay, it's truely deserves Samus's seal of approval! One thing that I truely like is the hint system where it'll point you in the direction of where you should go. It doesn't tell you how or exactly why, but it's much better that the game guides you along the way instead of paying $20 for the guide OR like $50 worth the game counseling calls.

One small drawback that I have is that the Metroids that I've encountered are a little weaker than in the other games. In Metroid & Super Metroid, they were a bitch to shake off if they got a hold of you. In Metroid Prime, it seems that only 1 round of bomb blasts shakes them off. It just seems weird that the Metroid's grip wasn't as strong as it use to be.

Like the other Metroid games, there are some reasons to play the game over & over. One thing that the Metroid series is famous for is the alternate endings based on speed & performance. Usually the best ending results in Samus taking off her power suit & show you her true self. However, it's a rigorous & hard to pull it off in under 3 hours.

One highly favored option for players that have Metroid Prime & Fusion are the GCN-Link specials, which include the 1986 Original Metroid on the Gamecube & enjoy the game that started it all for the new generation. There are a few changes to the controls to adapt to the cube, but the core of the game is still there in classic 2D.

For those who aren't so fortunate to have Metroid Fusion on hand, there's the Image Gallery included on the game, but it's originally locked. Only by recording the logs of the Pirates & the lost race of the Chozos will you unlock these gems. You will have a lot to work with in this game.