Metroid Prime

[Chojinzoku]

Copied and pasted, though I did write it myself. If I'm going to review again, it's only going to be twice more.



Metroid Prime

Honestly, the first time I saw this game, I had no idea what the you know, that place beneath us it was. I didn't know what Metroid was, or really what any good video games were. I just had Smash Bros., Pokemon, and Smash Bros. Melee. Maybe a few Mario games here and there, but that was it.

WAY back in the year of the release of Prime, I was in Toys R Us. I found a random GC console, and started playing. The game was awesome, sleek, and I could shoot space, but my gunfire would stop short at a glowing barrier that appeared as the shot made contact. My dad and my brother played, whom discovered that there was a ball form too! AND that the ball laid bombs! I knew I had to get this. It was fun, and I had no idea what I was doing. So I asked for it for Christmas.

Storyline

Anyone who's familiar with Metroid knows that it doesn't depend on a good storyline. It's not a FPS, and it's not an RPG. It's an adventure game, along the same lines of Zelda, but with different perspectives. I'll get to that later.

In a nutshell, Samus finds a Space Pirate ship, infiltrates it, and sees Ridley fly off to this planet. She follows him, and then gets trapped up in the clash between the Space Pirates and their lust for Phazon, an incredily radioactive material, and the Chozo race, whom had created a beautiful settlement.

Controls

This game has easy-to-learn controls. I've seen people dock the game some points for that. WTF? Aren't controls the mere basics of the game? Aren't easy controls a good thing? I think so.

Simply put, you move with the joystick, aim with the R button, lock-on to enemies with the L button, and shoot with the A button. Jump is B, and switching weapons and visors are the C-stick and the + pad respectively. Morphball is X, and missles are Y. Z is map. After simply playing through the prologue of the game, these seemingly-complicated controls become second nature. Confusion never happens, and looking down at the controller isn't necessary.

Gameplay

Like all other Metroid games, you start out with a nicely-powered suit, equipped with all the weapons you'd want. After the prologue, you lose those and become weak, but travel through the planet and find them again. The game's focus is finding these powerups to prepare yourself for the battle against whatever is causing the main problem.

Gameplay is smooth and consistent throughout the whole game. There are ZERO loading screens, thanks to the clever idea of bridge rooms. The seemingly pointless hallways that link rooms in the Metroid world actually serve as loading points for the next room. The only downfall with this is that the game may crash if someone's aiming to beat the game in an hour.

Nothing in this game is actually hard, or impossible. Only the bosses cause trouble, because those rely on the skill of running away when necessary, and exploiting their weaknesses. The hardest parts of the game are when the atmosphere and the "enemy that could be just around the corner" take advantage of someone, and they panic. The game is like the movie Alien, if you've seen it.

Being in first-person immediately could turn off the fans of the prior, side-scrolling 2D metroid games, but it's a unique experience. Jumping may cause problems for first-timers, but it's overall nothing to worry about. Through the game, players will find "challenges" to become easier and easier.

Glitches

Yes, Metroid Prime gets its own glitch section. There are so many flaws in the geography of the game that it's a shame if the player never uses them. For instance, players can easily use a rock or two as platforms unintended by the programmers. The glitches in this game are so useful that they add to the game's score in some places.

For those of you that are curious, check out metroid2002.com

Graphics

Not much to say. They're great, and consistent. My only complaint is Samus' face at the end. Ugh.

Music

The haunting yet melodic music of Metroid Prime is captivating, and actually the kind of video game music I'd learn. Some remixes from previous games can be heard...


Overall

Metroid Prime is a game that can't really be described with words. Unlike almost every video game (including several more Metroid games), this one gets much better with each time you play it and complete it.

The regular (and first) run through the game is like "okay, that was good, but not excellent."

The second time through, you realize what's going on, and there are less surprises. The player more likely will look more for the Missle Expansions, Energy Tanks, and scans, as well as they will be more comfortable with the controls and bosses. It becomes an "OMG this game has more than I thought!"

The third playthrough is usually on hard mode, whether or not the second was easy or hard. The enemies are tougher, and are more aggressive. The player learns more and more about the hidden items and scans, and becomes more familiarized with the world. The opinion is about "this game is harder, but pretty much the same. I'm getting bored."

But their interest will remain. The player will randomly find themselves at metroid2002.com and will be looking at everything. EVERYTHING.

By this, fourth, playthrough, the player will learn about the magic of sequence breaking, which is the use of glitches to get items and fight bosses out of order. Also, the player learns tricks to bosses and enemies, which assist in speed runs. Speed runs themselves add an aspect to the game.

Overall, accounting for everything from controls and gameplay to repeated playthroughs and constant secrets and glitches, Metroid Prime gets a big 10/10 in my books.

[Swordmaster]

Not to be spammy, but thanks for the review CL, we appreciate it.

[Chojinzoku]

No problem. I don't have a problem with people commenting on my review, if moderators/admins allow it.

[Swordmaster]

Nah, I encourage it but yeah, it looks good, thanks again for contributing.