Dual thumbsticks are for the birds, Metroid Prime 3 delivers
Tuesday, August 28th, 2007 at 3:05pm by Blake
Just got my mitts on Metroid Prime 3 this morning: in a word, engrossing. Prime 3 controls feel like butter. Having hated them before, I now officially loathe dual thumbsticks when it comes to console shooters. The Wii Remote works so well, I literally remain on the edge of my seat because the action is so engaging.
Story: It’s there, and the dialog is a nice addition (welcome to the spoken word, Nintendo), but the story caters more to the action than vice versa. Not too much talky-talky is a good thing in this case. Just the right amount story despite its lacking some originality (unlike BioShock). This really is a gamer’s game as it has you jumping in on the action right away with a nice balance of mini-tutorials to bring you up to speed early in the game.
Visuals: Even though Metroid Prime 3 falls short of 360 and PS3 graphics, you’ll know right away with this game that special care was given, not to mention more polish than just about any other recent game. It just looks beautiful. Best looking Wii game so far and very much appreciated. Presentation is also top-notch.
Gameplay: The best playing Metroid every created. Some purists may turn their nose at a near fully-powered Samus suit early in the game, but I love it (as I’m sure non-traditional Metroid gamers do to). You fire up the game, and “bam!” you’re in it. Nicely done, Retro. The increased accessibility makes it a more enjoyable game.
I’m only an hour in, but if it weren’t for this pesky thing called a livelihood, I’d be all over this game right now. I simply can’t wait to jump back in later tonight.
Let us know in comments what you think of the game assuming you’ve had a chance to play it.
August 28th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
These controls are slick. I’ve always had to struggle and fight with dual analog controls and it was extremely frustrating trying to land the shots I wanted. Suffice it to say, I was not a big fan and often avoided them. Even playing the Bioshock demo left me with a bad taste in my mouth. After playing MP3 for a couple of hours, I don’t see any other way of playing a FPS.
August 28th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Damn it, not out in the UK for 2 months!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 28th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
This game is just so amazing. The Advanced Control scheme is stellar, but it does take some time to get used to the button-mapping. I’ve played the old Prime games to death, and having the Morph ball button on the other hand has thrown me for a loop. But it’s nothing that time won’t heal. As for the rest, I am surprised at how much you get at the beginning, but I really don’t find it a problem. I mean, when you have 13 games in the series, each one calls for a slight differentiation, and it does help you get into the action that much quicker.
And I love the voice-acting. I’m generally interested in the Hunter characters, and what they have to say. It’s taken them a long time to add this stuff in, but it’s been worth it if this is what we get.
The addition of the Achievement tokens is awesome, too. And I’m glad they realize Msoft did something right and used their ideas. It shows that not everyone in the business is completely arrogant. I’m sure people will complain that it’s stealing and/or copying, but no matter.
But yeah, definitely the best game on Wii so far. Btw, what control scheme did you use, Blake?
August 28th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
The game is great, now i like these controls more than the keyboard and mouse. Its the best game on the Wii so far.
August 28th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
While I tried “advance,” I felt more in control on the default “normal” sensitivity.
August 28th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
I can’t wait to pick this up tonight.
This game is definitely something to shut the “Wii is for kiddies, Halo rulez!” so-called “hardcore gamers” up. Because what’s more hardcore than aiming your controller like an actual weapon and not thumbling around with a couple of pitiful joysticks?
RE4 on the Wii was a vast improvement control-wise over the GameCube version, and MP3 is going to show all the Nintendo haters just how a FPS is *supposed* to play. Now if only we could get an online, multiplayer version…
Just wait until Nintendo upgrades to hi-def graphics and full digital sound with all the benefits of the Wiimote. Talk about the ultimate gaming console…
August 28th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I wonder if Retro’s next project is some online, multiplayer FPS with slick controls. Something outside of the Metroid universe maybe?
August 28th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Really?
Well, I’ll let you know tonight…
August 28th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Picking mine up today, but my partner is in town for a 3 day business meeting this evening, so I will not be able to play until Friday. Argh!
August 28th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
I’ll be arriving home late today, so I’ll see if I can get a chance to play tonight. I’ll try really hard!
If this works, I’ll have to shed a tear for Halo 3…
August 28th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
I am very excited to try it tonight.
But one thing I like about dual analog fps control: I like how it slowed fps games down a bit. This is a personal opinion, but it is one that many people coming from PC fps games don’t seem to understand. When people are using dual analog control, the twitch play is reduced a bit and the overall feel of the game is a little slower. Not greatly, but just enough to make it feel like a different experience IMO. It tends to emphasize tactics over twitch, which I kinda like.
Just a thought.
August 28th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
I got the game after my 10 o’ clock class today. I think this game is phenominal. The controls work, I like how when you go offscreen it just stays put. The only thing I am not huge on yet is the lock-on plus free aim. I am more of a free aim only guy myself. It looks really good, I think everyone else mentioned that though. I am not huge on how the grapple thing works…I guess the on-screen cues make me want to throw my hand out a different way than the nunchuk registers movement like sideways or something…but that is my problem not Metroid’s.
Anyways, that seems like more complaints than strengths, but it isnt. My gripes are the minorest of minor. There isnt anything I dont like yet, just things that arent exactly MY favorite. I am one of the Metroid purists…and the whole starting with tons of powerups was kind of offsetting…but whatever. I usually enjoy the game a lot more once I have some upgrades anyways, So it basically just takes you into the fun part of the game right away.
Anybody else wish it was nighttime yet so they can play in the dark with the volume way up?
August 28th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Picked up my Metroid Prime 3 for the Wii today… only got to play for like an hour before I went to work but DAMN!!! If the Wii control scheme was uses for all FPS games on all consoles I would be using ONLY a console for gaming from this day forward.
Closest to using a mouse EVER!!!
August 28th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
I just got it.
I am about to paly what seems to be one of the best games ever, with all new controls.
I cant wait…gotta go NOW !
August 28th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
sounds great- looking forward to getting some serious play time in with it. for me, dual analog was always about being able to sit on my couch. Competing was only reserved for kb/m. With halo2 i broke down and bought the kb, mouse adaptor instead of use the analogs. this sounds like the best way to play a fps from the couch!
August 28th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Well, my area of Massachusetts is officially sold out of Metroid Prime 3, and I did not get a copy.
The three places I went each had empty spaces where Metroid once stood earlier today. I’m pissed, yet happy. Even with a lack of marketing (some say anyway, but not me), this title sold out at a Best Buy, Target and GameStop. I seriously felt like when I was searching for a second Wii earlier this year: there are no Metroids (or Wii’s for that matter). Nintendo owns the back to school round. Oh, and there were plenty of BioShocks left, but I digress…
I’ll just have to wait some more…
August 28th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
I’m finally leaving work to go pick mine up….
August 28th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
i hate to say it like this but MP3 IS *CENSORED* SICK!!!!!!!
August 28th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Got the game a couple of hours ago. All I have to say is that it’s amazing.
August 28th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Metroid Prime 3 is absolutely phenomenal. Everything from the controls to the atmosphere to the voice-acting is damned-near perfect.
Lock-on with free-aim has taken me awhile to get used to, but I think when I get better at it it will be worth it.
Oh, and the Meta Ridley boss battle? One of the best ever. I absolutely loved every second of it to the point where I almost hoped that I would die so I could do it all over again.
I may be only 5% through, but it’s been quite a ride so far.
August 28th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
plenty of bioshocks left? sweet! i havent even checked b/c i thought theyd be sold out for at least 2 weeks. (plus not done with current fascination IL2)… gamestop HO!
August 28th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Keeps you on the edge of your, huh Blake? That’s good to know. A few days ago, I realized that I never deafeted the final boss(es) in MP 2: Echoes, so I went back and finally beat the thing. I also just hooked up some Nintendo brand component cables to my Wii system. I look forward to getting that game and it in full progressive scan, HD glory.
August 28th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
picked up mine a few hours ago… hadn’t played yet, but drools over comments…
August 28th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
@Jack - lol
August 28th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
I have an HDTV and MP3 displays the most gorgeous graphics specially the bloom lightings and particals effects are everywhere, I never thought the Wii could pull out somthing like that, and the game plays at 60fps without any slowdown , the controllers are tight and accurate next to keyboard/mouse…
Best part for me when Samus is free falling into the abiss with the Drangon it was an insane and intensive battle , man, Retro took special care with textures and details, it is beutiful..
Congrats… Retro keep up with the good work..
August 28th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
My god. The bosses in these games are phenomenal. So inventive and creative.
August 28th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
@ killerheroes,
first of all, i
August 28th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
I had a “Jack experience” as well. However mine turned out for the BETTER. The GameStop clerk actually gave me his pre-odered copy. I sent my experience to Tips@infendo so we’ll see if they post about it.
But I have played for a little over an hour and besides a somewhat sore wrist…I love it. Much better experience than MP1 which I couldn’t stand. I just wasn’t very good at the controls for that game. Not so with this title.
August 28th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
GReat game.. I got the game at one and played straight till six.
Its like nothing I’d ever played before. I was curious to see if MP3 would actually be as revolutionary as everyone said it would be. I was supprised by how well the control system worked. If people start playing this game and others follow in its footsteps Microsoft and Sony will be out of the gaming buisness in no time. Only problem I have with it is what its abbreviation ends up being. MP3
August 29th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Ok…now I need some Metroid friends to unlock those…unlockables. Whatever they are.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:30 am
HELP! I’m stuck in the Grand court and Hillside Vista on planet Bryyo and have no idea how to advance. I’m sure it’s something retardedly easy, but I’m stuck and going crazy here. Been backtracking like 10 times to no avail… HELP infendoites!
August 29th, 2007 at 2:01 am
Never mind. got it (blasted hidden morph ball hole)
August 29th, 2007 at 3:42 am
Awesome game! I just equipped my ship with the new weapons after getting the ice missiles and am ready to destroy that big gate. Using advanced sensitivity and it really makes a huge difference. I played the first 7% on normal and I’m not going back.
August 29th, 2007 at 7:38 am
4007 3050 2980 1011 Everyone here add me, and tell me your Wii number too! We can trade screenshots and tokens and probably even arrange to play strikers at a later date
August 29th, 2007 at 8:36 am
I actually think this might be better than a mouse and keyboard, because all the other buttons are right there and you never have to search for one in a sea of unused keys.
August 29th, 2007 at 8:55 am
I’m with blockss, I was totally surprised by the graphics. It looks fantastic. If the wii can do graphics like this, I have no fears for this system whatsoever. These are NOT cube graphics.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:43 am
4499820740861901 is my Wii Code… this game freaking rocks!!!
August 29th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Lovin it
August 29th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
The battle with Meta-Ridley was literally pants exploding time. Retro has knocked this out of the damn digital park.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Best Metroid Ever!!! Best Controlling shooter(minus the keyboard and mouse which I still feel hold there own) ever. I love this game so much, you really feel like you are looking through Samus Aran’s Eyes and are controlling her movement…however…Multiplayer really should have been included in this title(Please, Please do it next time Nintendo For Metroid Next or what ever the next group of Mertroids will be called if there is any)
August 29th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
I’m about 30% in now. Seems to be going too fast!
August 29th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Im an hour into it, and the control method is first nature! The second i took control is like i new what every button does! When i turned to the scan visor, i scanned the first box with Z, without even knowing how. I’ve never felt so in control with console FPSs. I remember when i played halo for the very first time, the analog sticks just took me out of the awesome experience, but not this time!
So far im almost an hour into the game with 2% scanning everything, so if you scan everything in your path, the game should be 45-50 hours!
August 29th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
This game is spastic. I love it.
August 29th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
@neuro - Add me, I need to get that in game photo taking thing
August 30th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
My only complaint is that I keep instinctively trying to turn Samus’ field of vision by twisting the wiimote in either direction (like how you turn switches). As far as I can tell twisting the wiimote normally doesn’t do anything, it would be so much better to turn Samus that way instead of having to point near the edge of the screen to turn. Having to move the targeting icon away from the center of the screen has gotten a bit frustrating.
That said, these are still, BY FAR, the best console FPS controls available. I’ve always just dismissed console FPS games due to the analog stick controls and none of my friends understood why (I’ve always been a PC FPS’er, dual analogs is just… crude.). Now not only do I get to dismiss the other console’s FPSs, but now I have a reason to laugh at them too. Heh.
August 30th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
@druid,
Switch it to the advanced aiming setting, then you don’t have to go far from center to turn and you’ll turn much faster too, its very nice.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:11 pm
If you use the advances control settings it is the closest thing to Keyboard and Mouse… I would love to play all FPS with this setup now.
September 2nd, 2007 at 1:53 am
Just finished the game on the 75% ending. Time to go back and get that last 25%!