Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on April 14, 2004, 06:12:25 PM
The latest issue of Game Informer Magazine contains the first published screens of Metroid Prime 2 for the Nintendo GameCube. While Nintendo did not provide Game Informer with any information, an analysis of the screens reveals some juicy details and spurs speculation.
First, Metroid Prime 2 will feature the four-player split-screen gameplay previously rumored. One screenshot displays four differently-colored Samuses (or Samus look-alikes) in what appears to be a death match mode. The multiplayer mode retains many of Metroid Prime's features, including multiple visors, missiles, and morph ball capabilities. A large number can be found in the inner corner of each player's screen, though its meaning is not apparent from the screenshot, which does include health meters.
Also of note are the changes in HUD design for Metroid Prime 2. Although the basic layout has remained the same, aspects have been altered to accommodate new information. Metroid Prime 2 still features a map in the upper-right corner of the screen and radar in the upper-left corner. However, the map is not present in multiplayer, and the radar is still displayed when using the morph ball. Retro Studios has also reinvented its missile gauge, replacing the single sliding bar with a 2x5 grid of boxes. Only the bottom two boxes are filled, suggesting either that each box holds about 20 missiles or that Metroid Prime may feature multiple types of missiles. The energy gauge has also been modified: the single-player screen sports six vertical bars, two of which are grayed out, almost certainly representing energy tanks. The amount of energy left in the current energy tank is displayed in a two-digit counter, as dictated by Metroid tradition. Retro has redone the visor and beam icons in color, though the interface remains the same.
The game features graphics enhanced with even more visual flair. In the same single-player screen, an enemy, likely a Space Pirate, features detailed textures and impressive modeling. Another screen, likely taken from a cut-scene, is centered on what looks like a giant three-headed worm. Yet another screen in the magazine shows Samus floating in mid-air, surrounded by a bubble reflecting her image. The bubble is contained within a metal ring, suggesting it is either some sort of teleportation or power-up device.
Finally, one screenshot introduces a new character wearing a grey suit strangely similar to Samus's own and shooting downward toward the camera. Have the pirates finally cracked the secret of Samus's power suit? It looks quite possible!
Official details on Metroid Prime 2 will be revealed during Nintendo's pre-E3 press conference.
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on April 14, 2004, 06:19:18 PM
Post by: GaimeGuy on April 14, 2004, 06:35:27 PM
And people complain that Nintendo doesn't give gamers what they want, usually. You heard a bunch of people asking for multiplayer after MP: Now you're going to get it.
Ofcourse, now everyone'll be like, "OMG WTF THEY'RE RUINING TEH STYLE OF METROID!!!111"
Here's some advice: Wait and see. Or, even better: Wait and play.
Post by: Pale on April 14, 2004, 07:30:14 PM
There, ya happy?
I have a feeling its gonna be hit or miss... Its either gonna be a brand new killer app soley because of a great story and awesome multi player...or its gonna be another semi cult hit because of a great story and crappy multiplayer.
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on April 14, 2004, 07:41:29 PM
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on April 14, 2004, 08:26:03 PM
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on April 14, 2004, 08:53:23 PM
Post by: KDR_11k on April 14, 2004, 10:17:44 PM
Post by: Bloodworth on April 14, 2004, 10:34:11 PM
Post by: Obiyo on April 14, 2004, 11:02:12 PM
Post by: Felis Demens CCXXI on April 15, 2004, 04:29:06 AM
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THERE CAN"T BE MORE THAN ONE FREAKING SAMUS... WHAT THE HELL!
SA-X, anyone?
I think it's the owner of the Hand That Curiously Has A Weird Gem Thingy On The Back Like Samus's Left Hand That Burst Forth From The Phazon. Then again, I haven't seen the screenshot so I don't know.
Post by: couchmonkey on April 15, 2004, 04:59:31 AM
Top 5 Videogame clichees
5. Tom Clancy
4. Collect and breed monsters.
3. Collect and breed cards with pictures of monsters.
2. Fight your evil twin!
And the number one videogame clichee....
1. Save your Princess/girlfriend/aunt Netty.
I stole this bit from the guy who stole it from David Letterman, because I'm not allowed to stay up past 10:30.
Post by: Bill Aurion on April 15, 2004, 07:13:48 AM
Post by: Koopa Troopa on April 15, 2004, 09:24:47 AM
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Yeah, whether or not the multiplayer will work depends on how much time Retro invests in the tweaking of the control mechanics for the alternate mode. If there is auto lock-on in multiplayer, it will be pointless.
I don't think so. The lock on could work, none of Samus' attacks are to fast to be dodged... On the other hand that might lead to people just locking on, running really close and firing as fast as they can... But then, nobody complains about the moronic run/jump in Quake/Unreal deathmatches
Post by: skatiN64 on April 15, 2004, 11:01:13 AM
There isn't!
If you got the best ending on the last one you would have seen that the metroid prime, after being defeted, "took" Samus's suit. That's probably what the clones and the thing shooting at her are.
Post by: Matrix on April 15, 2004, 11:08:11 AM
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I've concluded that the Multiplayer shot is more than possibly fake. After analyzing it enough...
Unless there are more than four players in the game there, it must be fake.
The shot shows two staring at each other on the right and two that are in ball mode on the left. Where is the guy that is in the upper left shot at? What is he looking at? If there's only one in the ball mode, where is the bottom left's gun at? And why are all the radar locations basically the same? The one in the bottom right's location for the other guys would be a bit lower...
It could be true...but that shot looks very suspicously fake...
Blah.
Post by: mouse_clicker on April 15, 2004, 11:18:11 AM
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eh...what? I was actually hoping for something along those lines. That was really intense, and a nice way to stir up the formula if you ask me.
Yeah, for one game, just like how the watergun was good for just Super Mario Sunshine- if they put it in the next game, I'll be pissed.
Post by: nickmitch on April 15, 2004, 04:22:05 PM
Post by: mouse_clicker on April 15, 2004, 04:23:14 PM
Post by: Bloodworth on April 15, 2004, 05:37:25 PM
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Originally posted by: mouse_clickerQuote
eh...what? I was actually hoping for something along those lines. That was really intense, and a nice way to stir up the formula if you ask me.
Yeah, for one game, just like how the watergun was good for just Super Mario Sunshine- if they put it in the next game, I'll be pissed.
Well maybe not necessarily stealth, but I think it would be cool to play outside of the suit in one form or another. There's just a real sense of danger it brings, and in a Prime game, it could also mean not having an HUD either.
Still, I know what you mean, I don't want it to become some kind of series staple or anything.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 16, 2004, 08:01:18 AM
I'm iffy about adding multiplayer but it should be fine if they follow these two rules:
1. The single player game mechanics are not altered to make the multiplayer work better. I don't want Metroid turned into a generic FPS just to please a few losers who have never played Super Metroid and wrote off the first Metroid Prime because it wasn't a Halo clone.
2. If they can't get the multiplayer to be any good they should remove it. There's no point hurting a classic one player game by adding a flawed multiplayer to it. All it would result in is lower review scores, complaints from people who bought the game expecting the next Goldeneye, and Xbox and PS2 fans flaming boards with "Metroid Prime 2 sucks".
I'm actually surprised that they're even adding a multiplayer mode. Most of the people who complained that it didn't have it were FPS fans who couldn't wrap their heads around the concept of a game viewed from the first person that had projectile weapons that wasn't an FPS. Metroid fans seemed to be quite pleased with Metroid Prime so if I was in charge I wouldn't waste my time appealing to FPS fans who don't know what they're talking about. Still it's good to see Nintendo acknowledging complaints and suggestions from the userbase even if in this case I don't agree with them. They seem to have listened regarding Pikmin as well. It's a good direction to go in for a company often accused of ignoring their fans.
Post by: KDR_11k on April 16, 2004, 09:05:50 AM
Post by: Bill Aurion on April 16, 2004, 09:40:05 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on April 16, 2004, 10:55:58 AM
Sure they will. They'll also lose points for not having custom skins.
There's a thread about this on the Penny-Arcade forum and they've come up with some really cool ideas. The potential for a good MP is there provided they give it some thought.
Post by: KDR_11k on April 16, 2004, 09:43:43 PM
Post by: Urkel on April 19, 2004, 09:49:55 PM
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Originally posted by: KDR_11k
Seriously, I haven't seen a single review complaining that e.g. Wario Ware GC isn't online enabled.
See any review of Mario Kart: Double Dash.
Post by: KDR_11k on April 20, 2004, 06:20:51 AM
Post by: joedaddy on April 21, 2004, 09:16:51 PM
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Originally posted by: Bill
I personally wouldn't care if Retro just had morphball racing as the only multiplayer mode...
haha nice one
how about, "samus and pals: grapple beam swing-a-thon"
Post by: Hostile Creation on April 23, 2004, 07:18:56 PM
Post by: KDR_11k on April 24, 2004, 01:41:58 AM
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Originally posted by: Hostile Creation
It'd be nice to have something of that nature in a 3-D game, perhaps.
It's called Splinter Cell.
Post by: CaseyRyback on April 24, 2004, 09:10:09 AM
As cool as the game looks, if MP is the dominant focus, I will just wait for the price to drop and pick up RE4
Post by: KDR_11k on April 24, 2004, 11:14:55 PM
Post by: Jonnyboy117 on April 25, 2004, 07:37:24 AM
Post by: mouse_clicker on April 25, 2004, 07:41:40 AM
Post by: Wesisapie on April 26, 2004, 11:56:20 PM
