Topic: PREVIEWS: Metroid: Other M

[Nick DiMola]

In a surprise announcement, Nintendo gives gamers a sneak peek at the latest entry in the Metroid franchise.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/previewArt.cfm?artid=18644

 Today, during the Nintendo Press Conference, Reggie teased the latest entry to the Metroid series, Metroid: Other M. The game is being co-developed with Team Ninja, who is best known for their work on both the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive series.    

From what could be seen, the game seems to sport a grittier feel and story, as well as a complete change in perspective and gameplay style. The trailer revealed distinct two dimensional play as well as what appeared to be some instances of three dimensional play in both first and third person.    

Visually, the game appeared more vibrant and bright than the Prime series and staple characters, most notably Ridley appear to be returning.    

As of right now, not much else is known about the game, gameplay, or story. Nintendo only revealed that eager fans can expect the game in 2010.    

Check out the video from the show below.    

 

[MoronSonOfBoron]

Shame that Itagaki isn't with Team Ninja, it would have made for a more natural progression for Samus' *ahem* developments in recent years.

On a more serious note, the character designs look kind of boring—and dare I say it, Japanese—compared to the work put out by Retro Studios. Call me a fanboy.

[KDR_11k]

Yeah, definitely looked more JRPGish. I don't like how many scenes there were that looked like cutscenes, cutscenes force linearity and that already messed up Fusion and Prime 3.

[Ian Sane]

I cant' help but think that this would be a 1000 times cooler if it wasn't Metroid.  It looks like a sweet game and all but it doesn't look like it plays at all like Metroid.  It doesn't even quite look right either.

Is this what Nintendo is about now?  This stock group of characters that get shoehorned into different game ideas?  Why can't Nintendo make a game and if it isn't a sequel come up with new characters for it?

Metroid is a big deal because it this solitary exploration game NOT because it has this blond chick in a cool looking space suit with a gun hand.  Zelda is a big deal because it's this epic adventure game.  Mario is a big deal because it's an intricately designed platformer.  They aren't a big deal because it's an elf with a sword and shield and a short italian midget with a mustache and red cap.  These franchises are legendary because of the games behind them, not the characters involved.

This game may turn out to be awesome and I'm really hoping it will.  But it doesn't sound like it will give me my Metroid fix.  Samus Aran is not some generic stock character to throw into any game with realistic visuals in a space setting.

[KDR_11k]

Didn't some people ask for some back story on Samus?

[broodwars]

I cant' help but think that this would be a 1000 times cooler if it wasn't Metroid.  It looks like a sweet game and all but it doesn't look like it plays at all like Metroid.  It doesn't even quite look right either.

Is this what Nintendo is about now?  This stock group of characters that get shoehorned into different game ideas?  Why can't Nintendo make a game and if it isn't a sequel come up with new characters for it?

Metroid is a big deal because it this solitary exploration game NOT because it has this blond chick in a cool looking space suit with a gun hand.  Zelda is a big deal because it's this epic adventure game.  Mario is a big deal because it's an intricately designed platformer.  They aren't a big deal because it's an elf with a sword and shield and a short italian midget with a mustache and red cap.  These franchises are legendary because of the games behind them, not the characters involved.

This game may turn out to be awesome and I'm really hoping it will.  But it doesn't sound like it will give me my Metroid fix.  Samus Aran is not some generic stock character to throw into any game with realistic visuals in a space setting.

Wow, you just summed up my thoughts on the trailer better than I ever could.

[brian577]

One trailer and people are already making judgments unbelievable , I'm going not to pass judgment yet, but I am impressed, just not sure if Team Ninja can pull off a 3D Metroid game the way Retro Studios has.  What exactly did the officer say?  I'm just hoping for something that will continue from where the last scene of Corruption left off.  That cityscape sure reminded me of Stargate Atlantis though. 

[KDR_11k]

He said "Any objections, Lady?" which was apparently the catchphrase of some CO she served under in the past whose mind got digitized into the computer in Metroid Fusion.

[Enner]

I don't see how the environments shown are any more generic/realistic than in Prime or Super Metroid. Also, we only got brief glimpses. Besides, I always thought of Metroid as less cartoony than other Nintendo offerings. Also, maybe they teased with the more actiony bits first and saved any exploration for a longer trailer or demonstration down the line.

I'm glad that Samus finally has some speed to her. One thing about Prime is that you moved slow. Understandable since it was 3D, but I missed hyper speed. As for the GoW/Ninja Gaiden finishers with the arm cannon, I honestly welcome the brutality from the galaxy's best bounty hunter.

Finally, Other M -> MOther? I know Nintendo is not known for it, but I'm eager to hear more about the story.

[MoronSonOfBoron]

words

Considering Team Ninja's past works, I'm also quite worried about what they will do with the Metroid franchise. On the other hand, if Metroid: Other M is meant to be the AAA hardcore beat-em-up going toe-to-talon with God of War et al...

M:OM? [plotanalysisgo]

[Rize]

Yeah, definitely looked more JRPGish. I don't like how many scenes there were that looked like cutscenes, cutscenes force linearity and that already messed up Fusion and Prime 3.

All Metroid games since in the modern era (Primes and the GBA games) have choke points that occur in a linear order (power-up acquisition and boss fights).  The game could retain exploration as usual and simply have the story occur at the choke points.

[AV]

I like Change.

The old 2d, and new 3d games needed to be spiced up. This is excellent

[Halbred]

I began tearing up THE SECOND that Adam Malokavich said "Lady" and I KNEW it was Samus and I KNEW it was the Metroid game I've always wanted (remember the feature awhile back?). Tearing up, not kidding. It was so beautiful. I am beyond psyched.

Ian Shane is crazy. The Metroid series has changed direction at least one other time, and we were fine with it!

[Stratos]

I thought the trailer was good. A good Metroid trailer. Maybe I just don't have the same nostalgia memories of the series you all do since I got into Metroid later than most but I liked it. Plus it's a trailer, it's supposed to be full of action. We probably saw half of the boss fights in that trailer. There will be exploring and puzzling I'm sure. Even if there isn't I don't think it will ruin the game.

[NovaQ]

I played through and loved Super Metroid back when the SNES was still alive and I still liked this trailer a lot. I'm looking forward to seeing how this game turns out.

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Hey, is that the speed boost I see at 0:50? Daaaaaaaaaamn!

[NWR_Neal]

The more I watch this trailer, the more I want to see more.

I was initially a little worried, but if R&D1 is working on it closely with Team Ninja, then I'm sold.

[KDR_11k]

Yeah, definitely looked more JRPGish. I don't like how many scenes there were that looked like cutscenes, cutscenes force linearity and that already messed up Fusion and Prime 3.

All Metroid games since in the modern era (Primes and the GBA games) have choke points that occur in a linear order (power-up acquisition and boss fights).  The game could retain exploration as usual and simply have the story occur at the choke points.

In Prime 1 and the non-Fusion 2D games the order of progrssion was naturally based on what you could do, Fusion had arbitrary door locks and Prime 3 had mission goals that then allowed you to land on new areas. Both felt much more restrictive than the natural (and sequence-breakable) limits imposed in earlier Metroids. Zero Mission had only one forced linear section and it was terrible, the rest was fairly open and the cutscenes could be triggered in the wrong order by sequence breaking. Cutscenes with dialog triggering in the wrong order would be... silly.

As for the perspective talk, looked to me like third normally, first when aiming.

[mac<censored>]

Yeah, definitely looked more JRPGish. I don't like how many scenes there were that looked like cutscenes, cutscenes force linearity and that already messed up Fusion and Prime 3.

All Metroid games since in the modern era (Primes and the GBA games) have choke points that occur in a linear order (power-up acquisition and boss fights).  The game could retain exploration as usual and simply have the story occur at the choke points.

In Prime 1 and the non-Fusion 2D games the order of progrssion was naturally based on what you could do, Fusion had arbitrary door locks and Prime 3 had mission goals that then allowed you to land on new areas. Both felt much more restrictive than the natural (and sequence-breakable) limits imposed in earlier Metroids. Zero Mission had only one forced linear section and it was terrible, the rest was fairly open and the cutscenes could be triggered in the wrong order by sequence breaking.

Egggzactly....  getting to a new area because you gain the ability to jump to a previously unreachable passage is somehow much more satisfying and organic than a door that magically unlocks, or suddenly being told to go there by some third party.

Granted earlier metroids had the doors which could only be unlocked by certain weapons, which is pushing it a bit, but that still felt far more natural than the forced linear sequencing of some of the recent games...