Metroid ‘unlike anything experienced’ in games
Thursday, September 6th, 2007 at 10:03am by Blake
Just what does the Associated Press, the world’s largest news service, have to say about Metroid Prime 3?
The tactile sensation of flicking the nunchuk to throw a grapple beam and yank something off a wall is unlike anything I’ve experienced before in a video game. Instead of tapping a button to pull a lever, simply twist and move your hand around to pull it, like you would in the real world.
But you already knew that, no? AP gives the game three-and-a-half-stars out of four.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Last night, I played both Bioshock on the 360 and Prime 3 on the Wii. I played Bioshock for about 2 hours….It was okay (definitely not a perfect 10 game, Game Informer….), but suffers some serious art direction issues, janky animations, and none of the voices seem to match the characters very well. It’s just System Shock with a mucous membrane, nothing new or special. Luckily, my copy was a freebie from work, so no real loss. The whole time I’m playing it though, I kept comparing the game to Prime 3. Finally, I reached a checkpoint and turned off the 360. I put in Metroid and was once again reminded of the Metroid Prime series’ flawless color theory, lighting, and the new control scheme. I must say, after playing a conventional FPS and then immediately putting in Metroid, one begins to realize the true power of the Wii. The immersion factor of Metroid Prime 3 is exponentially greater than any other game I’ve ever played in my entire life. This is border-lining on psychosis-inducing. Like the AP article said, the first time you grapple one of those wall panels or the shield of a space pirate, and rip it off…..or using the primer pumps or the elevator switches or the twist locks……The “HUD lag” (I think the series is credited with inventing it), Samus’ reflection in the visor……I couldn’t sleep last night. Admittedly, I wish the game was a little more exploration oriented, but that’s a personal taste thing. The game is more focused and has overall better level design than both of its predecessors, and has just so many little touches that say, “hey, this is Metroid.” I’d personally far sooner give Metroid Prime 3 a perfect 10 score (Nintendo Power did…) than Bioshock. This is the game the Wii was designed for. Samus is Nintendo’s most unsung character, despite the fact that she and her franchise are more integral to the entire industry than Master Chief or Ryu Hayabusa will ever be. I think 2007 will be remembered as the year Nintendo re-invaded the world and decimated the competition. Metroid is now THE standard for this industry, but with Brawl and Galaxy both coming soon, Nintendo is only going to continue to raise the bar.
Sorry for rambling so much…..I like Metroid Prime 3.;) I love Nintendo.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:57 am
And we like you, Kale.
I agree, I’ve found myself losing track of time with Metroid Prime 3 as of late. And I mean literally late. Last night I was up far later than I should have been getting lost in the art, control and lore of Metroid. And I’m only 10% of the way in!
Tonight, I play more.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:03 am
As a sworn fan of the Halo series, and not a big fan of the previous two Metroid Prime games (although I do like them a bit), I can tell you this: Yes, the immersion level of Metroid Prime 3 is unprecedented! I wish, oh I wish, MS could slap Wii controls onto Halo 3… but that, we all know, won’t happen any time soon.
Oh, and on the same topic: did you see that Metroid Prime 3 outsold Bioshock??
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=171307
Awesome!
September 6th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Kale, you’re getting “comment of the week” for that remark! I couldn’t agree more. One of the most satisfying feelings in Metroid Prime 3 is ripping off the armor of those flying robots to take ‘em down. I simply can’t get over how good it feels.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:43 am
“Kale, you’re getting “comment of the week” for that remark!”
Agreed. Metroid is hands down a much better and funnier EXPERIENCE than any other First Person Shooter-Adventure before(i´m looking at you, overated Halo). Sure, you can argue that among the contenders there are better:
-Story.
-Graphics.
-Voice acting.
-Characters.
-Whatever you can say that is related to tastes.
But if someone tells me that playing Corruption is not the most refreshing and unique gaming FP experience they have played this year(to me is the best ever), well i don´t know what to say to convince him then.
This game is totally awesome, and í´m not a Metroid nut, i just beliieve that the development for this game went over the top. Great work Retro Studios!!
September 6th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Now all we need is an online multiplayer version. Bounty hunter battle arena. Can you imagine the fun if you combined the physical interaction of the Wii controls with the joy of pummeling your friends (or complete strangers) online?
Think about it, Retro. Think about it…
September 6th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
I must add my hearty, ‘HEAR, HEAR!’ to this excellent discussion.
I AM a Metroid nut, but even if I weren’t, I could safely say that Prime 3 is far and away the finest FPS (there, I said it: SHOOTER) experience I have ever enjoyed. I actually believe that it exceeds other shooters in most areas, including epic storyline, intense combat and outstanding art direction. HD? Who gives a rip how many pixels are on the screen when they are almost never used so well! The controls for this title, while they may be off-putting for dual-analog traditionalists, easily chew up and spit out all previous console FPS efforts, and the level design is sublime.
And the music… oh, that haunting music!
September 6th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Could Nintendo’s Sept surprise be a multi-player MP3? A patch of some sort.
September 6th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
I’m thinking an updated version of Metroid Prime Hunters for the Wii. (with online multiplayer of course)
September 6th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
First, let me say that I absolutely loved the first Halo and the original Metroid prime. Probably 2 of my favorites last gen. That being said, I wasn’t nearly as excited about Halo2 or MP2. Now that I have played 3, I am constantly amazed at how great it it. It totally brings me back to the joy and enthusiasm I have seldom experienced since I played the first Prime or the first Halo. Not only that but it is taking me beyond those experiences due to the fantastic level of immersion. And is it just me, or does Metroid Prime 3 look absolutely fantastic? I am constantly saying “wow” to myself as I play this game. I love the art, the colors, just the entire feel of the environments. Sometimes, I just stand and turn around and soak it all in, listening and looking at each little detail. Thats something I haven’t done on a console game in a LONG time, maybe since Mario 64.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
I would say my biggest gripe now is the load time in between doors. Some doors take up to 10 seconds to open and it was a room I had recently visited!
September 6th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
I just started Metroid Prime 3 tonight - feel a bit behind the curve, but man was it worth the wait. I played through to getting the PED suit and then just needed a breather. What a fantastically immersive and engaging experience.
I only hope that other developers are paying CLOSE attention, because there’s no excuse from now on to release another Far Cry: Vengeance on the Wii. *Every* shooter absolutely has the potential to be this good on the Wii with the proper loving care, and when one comes along that is this good and has some solid online multiplayer, it will sell like iceboxes in Hell. :-p
September 7th, 2007 at 1:43 am
I love pizza
September 7th, 2007 at 8:11 am
I am almost 56% through Metroid already and Bioshock took me about 20-25 hours total and I searched every corner and got all the powers. I think multiplay would be cool, but I think it would be boring real fast.
September 7th, 2007 at 10:09 am
Kale’s positivity and enthusiasm for this game is refreshing amongst the cynical, jaded attitude from so many of teh hardcore. However, the feedback on the internets from those who have played the game is almost without exception glowing, from what I’ve read. Which, since I live in “Other”, is going to make the wait until October 26th all the harder. Bah.
stafo says…
“Could Nintendo’s Sept surprise be a multi-player MP3? A patch of some sort.”
That’s precisely what I’ve been wondering stafo.
Would it be possible for Retro to include the online multi-player component within the MP3 game code but keep it hidden from the player until they issued an update that enabled this? Or perhaps they could put “hooks” for this in the original code but put the multi-player code in an update? I’m not tech savvy enough to know. Thoughts anyone?
September 7th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
@ eclectic:
It would have to be hidden within the disk… the Wii harddrive does not have near enough room to hold the extra multiplayer, even if they used models and environments from the single-player game!
September 8th, 2007 at 10:26 am
@InvisibleMan
Thanks mate - should have thought of that but then I was having one of those days yesterday!
In that case then I’ll uncross my fingers for this and cross them for an announcement from Nintendo with regard to a hard drive/SD card solution to the limited storage space on the Wii instead! After all the speculation about this it wouldn’t be that exciting a “surprise” in the end. However, since it would make game demos and larger downloads possible I certainly wouldn’t be grumbling.