Topic: Metroid Prime: Federation Force Revealed

[Shaymin]

Nintendo has shown off a new title in the Metroid series for 3DS.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/40458/metroid-prime-federation-force-revealed

Metroid Prime: Federation Force is coming to 3DS. Nintendo announced the 4 player co-op focused title as part of their E3 Digital Event presentation.

In Federation Forces, the player controls a member of a Federation combat team, fighting enemies of peace. Metroid Prime: Blast Ball, which was previously shown during the Nintendo World Championships, will also be included in the game.

It is unclear whether Samus will be making an appearance.

[SupaKirb]

Not sure how to take this news....

[Adrock]

Finally. This was exactly what I was hoping for: a return to the Metroid Prime series potentially without Samus.

[jarodea]

Didn't Lindemann predict that Nintendo would make an fps from a federation soldier's perspective a year or 2 ago?

[Evan_B]

Who cares. It's co-op, and won't be like the classics at all. And it's honestly sad to say that the Prime Trilogy is a classic.

[NWR_insanolord]

Didn't Lindemann predict that Nintendo would make an fps from a federation soldier's perspective a year or 2 ago?

That was Guillaume.

[ObbyDent]

thanks obama

[Luigi Dude]

Well at least this points heavily to Retro's new game being Metroid Prime 4.  The original Hunters sold worse then then worst selling Prime game, so for Nintendo to make another Hunters, even still letting it keep the name Metroid Prime despite Samus nowhere in site, implies heavily the real deal is being worked on.

[Mop it up]

I can't say I was expecting this, but it could be interesting.

[Ian Sane]

Couldn't give less of a **** about this.  I'm not interested in multiplayer Metroid.  Metroid is about isolation.

Nintendo makes these spin-offs of their IP but they're generally so bad at storytelling that the gameplay is all that I value in their franchises.  They'll give us some different type of game with the Metroid/Zelda/Mario universe but those universes are either devoid of any interesting details or are batshit insane.  The Metroid story is garage.  In the post-Other M world it is useless trash and it was starting to get kind of incoherent before that anyway.  I couldn't give two shits about Samus Aran the character or the world she inhabits because Nintendo is incapable of making me care.  I still love Metroid because I love the gameplay.  Since Metroid is a single-player game I already know this won't have the Metroid gameplay so what appeal is there to me?  If anything I'm annoyed because it feels like this is a substitute for a "real" Metroid game.

I prefer videogames as a largely solitary experience so Nintendo pushing real hard on multiplayer Zelda and Metroid is a huge turnoff.

[NeoStar9X]

I'm waiting to see what the gameplay is really like. However visually the game looks like trash and that's best way I can express my opinion when it comes to what I'm seeing.

[noname2200]

The Treehouse segment for this one is something I'm really going to be paying attention to. They showed so little so far that I can't really form an opinion yet.

[azeke]

Live on Treehouse.

Cartoony graphics and numbers popping up when you shoot monsters makes me think of Borderlands.

Gameplay itself is like any other co-op console shooter, like Halo or Destiny.

[azeke]

Even special powers are like Halo -- there is jetpack and shield from 3...

[azeke]

Mode they're showing right now looks like Gears-style Horde mode...

[broodwars]

Yeah, I'd say this old Spoony video kind of sums up my overall impression of this game.

[noname2200]

Looks quite entertaining. Although in fairness, some of my enjoyment may come from three of the guys clearly antagonizing the fourth...

[ThePerm]

im watching them play this now. Interesting. Its not exactly what I wanted, but im quite positive about it seeing people play. Its tower defence/gears of war/metroid prime

art style is weird though.

[mud3342]

Regardless of whether it's for me or not, I can accept this as a spin-off. Traditional Metroid is the culmination of its gameplay even though story can have different importance. I think Nintendo understands what Metroid gameplay actually is this is purposely not that.

[Ian Sane]

The art design suggests that, as usual, Nintendo is obsessed with making Metroid popular in Japan.  Personally I like that Metroid wasn't cute like most of Nintendo's other franchises.  If this was a real Metroid game and the series wasn't already tainted by Other M these graphics would get a Wind Waker "betrayal" type of response.  It looks like Metroid's take on Virtua Fighter Kids.

Metroid is one of those truly "sacred" videogame franchises.  It is usually in the discussion regarding greatest videogame series ever.  Every videogame company would kill to have something with that reputation and yet Nintendo seems pissed off that Metroid isn't big in Japan and isn't as mainstream as Mario.  They seem so preoccupied with appealing to who doesn't like Metroid and they're going to drive off the fanbase so that NO ONE likes Metroid.

I can't see too many Metroid fans being even remotely interested in this.  The sort of audience that would be interested doesn't give a **** about Metroid.  They're diluting one of the most prestigious brands in videogames for a product aimed at people for which the brand has no value.  That's like making a Lamborghini minivan.

I'm stuck in that annoying catch-22 where I hope a Metroid product I want nothing to do with fails horribly so as to not encourage Nintendo to bother with further Metroid spin-offs but that Nintendo somehow doesn't interpret it as a message that Metroid doesn't sell.

[TOPHATANT123]

Chibi Metroid? Well it's close to glitter Metroid, good call Guillaume.

[ThePerm]

I spent the last two months replaying Metroid titles. I can see how this is different, and I appreciate getting something different every once in a while. I still think there is a big Metroid game on the way. Probably been in development for a while, yet too early to show off. Being made by who knows. This is not it. This  is on 3ds, which I dont have. So, im not toing to be upset about a game I wont buy anyways because I really dont do handhelds. I also like gears of wars.... so theres that. Ive also been interested in the backstory with the federation vs the space pirates. So, it appeals to me as any other spinoff does, I know its not the main game. Theres always talks that all Nintendo games are the same, its silly to hear uproar when they do the safe thing, but then when they do something outside of the box its OMG WTF waaaaaah why curses?!!!

[nickmitch]

Well at least this points heavily to Retro's new game being Metroid Prime 4.  The original Hunters sold worse then then worst selling Prime game, so for Nintendo to make another Hunters, even still letting it keep the name Metroid Prime despite Samus nowhere in site, implies heavily the real deal is being worked on.

Retro Studios no long exists.  It's just a shell company now.

[Wah]

yay! I was right!

[Phil]

Well at least this points heavily to Retro's new game being Metroid Prime 4.  The original Hunters sold worse then then worst selling Prime game, so for Nintendo to make another Hunters, even still letting it keep the name Metroid Prime despite Samus nowhere in site, implies heavily the real deal is being worked on.

Retro Studios no long exists.  It's just a shell company now.

This is the meme for Rare, not Retro Studios. And neither are true.

[ejamer]

...
Gameplay itself is like any other co-op console shooter, like Halo or Destiny.

Absolutely do not want this - either as part of the Metroid series or just as a general release, and will not be buying.


Probably the single biggest disappointment of E3 for me.

[Wah]

Halo and Destiny are both great games!

[broodwars]

You have to love how Nintendo just slaps the "Prime" signifier on any Metroid not made in Japan, so they can keep the "Metroid" name "pure". 

[Phil]

You guys should totally sign the petition to cancel this game.

[Oedo]

You guys should totally sign the petition to cancel this game.

Or join the campaign to dislike the YT trailer video into oblivion (2,200 likes vs. 22,000 dislikes at the time of this post). I feel like this reaction is going overboard, but at the same time, they flung rocks at a gigantic beehive by putting the Metroid Prime name on this.

[nickmitch]

Well at least this points heavily to Retro's new game being Metroid Prime 4.  The original Hunters sold worse then then worst selling Prime game, so for Nintendo to make another Hunters, even still letting it keep the name Metroid Prime despite Samus nowhere in site, implies heavily the real deal is being worked on.

Retro Studios no long exists.  It's just a shell company now.

This is the meme for Rare, not Retro Studios. And neither are true.

Rare announced two games today.  Retro hasn't announced a new game in two years.

[Phil]

Well at least this points heavily to Retro's new game being Metroid Prime 4.  The original Hunters sold worse then then worst selling Prime game, so for Nintendo to make another Hunters, even still letting it keep the name Metroid Prime despite Samus nowhere in site, implies heavily the real deal is being worked on.

Retro Studios no long exists.  It's just a shell company now.

This is the meme for Rare, not Retro Studios. And neither are true.

Rare announced two games today.  Retro hasn't announced a new game in two years.

Rare is not Retro. Retro is not Rare. Do you have a point, or do you just like comparing apples to oranges? Durrr. they're both developurs, so dey must be da same!

[nickmitch]

Well at least this points heavily to Retro's new game being Metroid Prime 4.  The original Hunters sold worse then then worst selling Prime game, so for Nintendo to make another Hunters, even still letting it keep the name Metroid Prime despite Samus nowhere in site, implies heavily the real deal is being worked on.

Retro Studios no long exists.  It's just a shell company now.

This is the meme for Rare, not Retro Studios. And neither are true.

Rare announced two games today.  Retro hasn't announced a new game in two years.

Rare is not Retro. Retro is not Rare. Do you have a point, or do you just like comparing apples to oranges? Durrr. they're both developurs, so dey must be da same!

Oranges don't have edible peels, but have much more citric acid.  Apples make up for it in fiber though.

[NWR_insanolord]

You have to love how Nintendo just slaps the "Prime" signifier on any Metroid not made in Japan, so they can keep the "Metroid" name "pure". 

I think it's more the fact that it's in first person.

Well at least this points heavily to Retro's new game being Metroid Prime 4.  The original Hunters sold worse then then worst selling Prime game, so for Nintendo to make another Hunters, even still letting it keep the name Metroid Prime despite Samus nowhere in site, implies heavily the real deal is being worked on.

Retro Studios no long exists.  It's just a shell company now.

This is the meme for Rare, not Retro Studios. And neither are true.

Rare announced two games today.  Retro hasn't announced a new game in two years.

Retro didn't announce their next game today because Nintendo wasn't talking about NX at this show.

[Soren]

Rare announced two games today.  Retro hasn't announced a new game in two years.

Game announcements! They count for something I guess.

This is so stupid.

[broodwars]

You have to love how Nintendo just slaps the "Prime" signifier on any Metroid not made in Japan, so they can keep the "Metroid" name "pure". 

I think it's more the fact that it's in first person.

I'd agree with you if Sakamoto wasn't on the record in interviews saying the "Prime" games are in their own continuity away from the mainline series, IIRC.

[Adrock]

I'd agree with you if Sakamoto wasn't on the record in interviews saying the "Prime" games are in their own continuity away from the mainline series, IIRC.

I don't recall Sakamoto actually saying that. He just tends to ignore the Prime series as a side story. Nintendo still considers them in the same continuity even if they make far more sense as separate entities.

[ejamer]

You guys should totally sign the petition to cancel this game.

Or join the campaign to dislike the YT trailer video into oblivion (2,200 likes vs. 22,000 dislikes at the time of this post). I feel like this reaction is going overboard, but at the same time, they flung rocks at a gigantic beehive by putting the Metroid Prime name on this.

It is kind of stupid to react this way... but how else can fans of Metroid send a message to Nintendo?


Buy the game: indicate that you like what they are offering.  (Not what I want.)
Don't buy the game: indicate that Metroid isn't a viable franchise for more games. (Not what I want.)


Voting with my dollars won't help me get the message to Nintendo that I want a real sequel to Metroid instead of this multiplayer FPS garbage* they are offering.  Fans need to find a voice somehow, and maybe downvoting a YouTube video into oblivion is the best they can come up with.
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*not really garbage, just not a game or genre I'm interested in

[Ian Sane]

So this doesn't look like Metroid, play like Metroid and the main character isn't even present.  That's getting pretty far removed from the source material.

Ah but it does play the same because in Nintendo's mind Metroid Prime and Halo might as well be the same game because they have shooting and it's in a first person view.  That bothers me and was a big reason why Hunters bothered me as well.  I kind of expect a Japanese company to not get the FPS genre but Metroid Prime is something really special and NCL doesn't understand it.  To them it's just this weird foreigner game.  This is the company that tossed away Goldeneye/Perfect Dark and made no effort to replace it.  Except they probably think they did because Metroid Prime is superficially similar if you only look at screenshots and have never played either game.  So they can make this dumb bullshit and think "well this is an FPS, right?  So make it a Metroid Prime game."  Mission accomplished.

There are a lot of games being made these days that are inspired by 2D Metroid.  I get that it's an affordable formula for an indie.  What I would like is more games inspired by Metroid Prime, spiritual successors.  Obviously that needs a more bid budget dev.  I would be all over that because NCL don't know **** about what they have.  They piss Retro away on dumbed down 2D bullshit, throw the Metroid Prime name on any old **** and the creator of Metroid is a George Lucas-style hack.  I don't trust them with this anymore so let's see someone else give that general gameplay a try.

[Adrock]

Ah but it does play the same because in Nintendo's mind Metroid Prime and Halo might as well be the same game because they have shooting and it's in a first person view.  That bothers me and was a big reason why Hunters bothered me as well.  I kind of expect a Japanese company to not get the FPS genre but Metroid Prime is something really special and NCL doesn't understand it.  To them it's just this weird foreigner game.  This is the company that tossed away Goldeneye/Perfect Dark and made no effort to replace it.  Except they probably think they did because Metroid Prime is superficially similar if you only look at screenshots and have never played either game.  So they can make this dumb bullshit and think "well this is an FPS, right?  So make it a Metroid Prime game."  Mission accomplished.

Nintendo doesn't classify Metroid Prime as a first person shooter. It has made it abundantly clear since the change to first person that Metroid Prime is an adventure game so I don't know where you're getting this idea that Nintendo doesn't understand how special Metroid Prime is or what genre it belongs to. It understands. Metroid Prime was made with much hand-holding from Japan. Miyamoto and co understand more than anyone.

Federation Force is a Metroid game for marketing purposes which is my issue with it. I think Nintendo wants a first person shooter, but it didn't believe in the project enough to let it stand on its own. The better solution, one Nintendo has employed many times before, is to cancel it if it doesn't meet certain standards. Spin-offs can work. The team just has to be committed to it. Shoehorning a game into a series is not conducive to making it work. Personally, I think there's potential, but Federation Force is in this weird middle ground. It has all these original ideas yet it just seems like it's being forced into a series it doesn't fit in or belong to.

[Luigi Dude]

My take on Federation Force is Nintendo is working on Prime 4, more then likely what Retro is doing but it's still years away from release.  Since it's been 5 years since the last Metroid game and Prime 4 could still be years away, Nintendo might have felt a spinoff like this would be a nice way to show the fans they're still committed to the Metroid franchise by giving them a different take on the series.

Problem is, they need to announce the real deal before showing a spinoff like this.  If Hyrule Warriors had been revealed with no talk at all about a new real Zelda game, fans would have been furious.  Had Prime 4 been revealed at E3 as well, this game would be viewed a lot better then since Metroid fans would know the game they actually want is coming and more open to getting a different experience on the side.

Of course I wonder if the negative reaction might force Nintendo to come out and actually say they're working on Prime 4.  Kind of like how at the end of E3 2008 with all the negative covered from their conference that year, Miyamoto actually said they were working on a new Pikmin game.



Miyamoto revealed Pikmin on the last day of E3 that year so there's still time for Prime 4.

[Crimm]

Problem is, they need to announce the real deal before showing a spinoff like this.  If Hyrule Warriors had been revealed with no talk at all about a new real Zelda game, fans would have been furious.

They did. They weren't. Hyrule Warriors was announced well before E3. Reaction was largely confusion and amusement. Anyone complaining about the sanctity of Metroid is being myopic in the extreme. Metroid Prime Pinball didn't prevent Prime 3. This is a series where the primary antagonist is a large brain, floating in a vase.

[Soren]

This is a series where the primary antagonist is a large brain, floating in a vase.

But enough about TMNT. Let's get back to Metroid, please.

[Crimm]

He has a robot body. Ambulatory functions of Krang far outstrip those of Mother Brain.

[broodwars]

He has a robot body. Ambulatory functions of Krang far outstrip those of Mother Brain.

Oh really?

[Crimm]

Yes.


And the perk here was baiting someone into mentioning her legs - That dumb idiot built a room with a door to small for her to leave.