Spoiling that ending not only provides some epic visuals, it is essential to the story line. To quickly recap, during Metroid II, a baby Metroid hatches and believes Samus to be her mother. Samus takes it back for study. In Super Metroid, Space Pirates steal the Metroid. In the final battle with Mother Brain, Samus is nearly defeated, but the Metroid transfers the energy of Mother Brain to Samus. Mother Brain kills the baby and Samus subsequently destroys Mother Brain. Samus then wakes up in a medical facility. Apparently, she had been dream-recalling about the event with Mother Brain and the Metroid.
Following this, the game begins a training simulation where Samus's doctor helps her recall (trains you to use) her basic attacks. Surprisingly, the game is controlled only with the Wii Remote held in NES configuration. Running and jumping work as you'd expect and work well. Shooting involves an automatic lock on that works as long as you're pointing relatively in the same direction as the enemy. Given the D-pad control, this is pretty necessary. The A button is used to switch into Morph Ball mode. Samus has a few new cool moves pressing a direction just before getting zapped allows Samus to roll out of the way. She can also jump on the heads of injured enemies to kill them with style. Overall, it's what you'd expect out of Metroid in 3D space, though it's not too 3D since you'll be travelling down a lot of narrow corridors.
Pointing at the screen with the Remote switches the game into a first-person view. Here, Samus can scan as in Prime (though there wasn't much to scan in the demo) as well lock-on to targets and shoot missiles. First-person view is a little jarring if you're used to the Metroid Prime games. In first-person, Samus can only look around and shoot; she can't move.
This Samus appears much more emotionally troubled than her depiction in other games, aside from Metroid Fusion, and in fact this game will likely tell the backstory of that game. Samus keeps repeating "the baby" in reference to the Metroid that sacrificed itself for her and reflects how it is gone forever. Following a briefing with the Galactic Federation, Samus leaves in her ship and picks up a distress call. A so-called "baby's cry," Samus makes it her mission to investigate. I can't help but think of Claire from Lost screaming about her baby. That's not exactly the bounty hunter I've pictured in the past.
Samus reaches a Bottle Ship, where she finds that a Federation vessel is already on scene. The Army can't get into the facility because of a blocked door and they do not want to use explosives. Samus opens the door with a missile. In her first mission, Samus teams up with Adam Malkovich's team of soldiers from the Federation Army. This would be the Adam that sacrifices his life to save her. At the beginning, Adam does not trust her, telling his team that she is an outsider. She was a part of this team before she became a bounty hunter, the result of a falling out, which will undoubtedly be explained later. In previous Metroid games, Samus often loses all of her weapons at the beginning and must recollect them. A little more cleverly designed here, Samus actually has all of her weapons, but Adam only slowly gives her authorization to use them, trying to create as little damage as possible until it becomes necessary. A major plot point will likely involve Samus's reactions to taking orders.
The station didn't have a lot going on; it seems designed to get you up to speed with Metroid mechanics. There are several throwback enemies from the previous games. Showing a Ninja Gaiden influence, combat is faster paced than the 2D games often with swarms of enemies, perhaps closer to Metroid Prime in third-person. The Metroid feeling was definitely intact, with items hidden in plain sight in certain areas made inaccessible until a particular restricted weapon can be used.
In the first boss battle, Samus teams up with the soldiers to destroy a tentacle monster. As the soldiers use freeze guns on a particular spot of the enemy, you must switch into first-person mode to target a missile at the spot. This is the first of two battles where players are forced to quickly switch back and forth between the two modes: you can't shoot missiles in third-person, and you can't move to avoid damage in first-person mode. While the switch-off is doable, it seems this mechanic could have been avoided entirely by using a Remote and Nunchuk combination. That is, the control is good, but frustration is sure to increase with the intensity of enemy attack.
One major non-gameplay concern I had is with Samus' voice actress. She really doesn't convey any emotion even though the dialog is filled with it. Unfortunately, it sounds like the voice work is done, so we're stuck with a female Ben Stein.
While I'm not completely sold on the switching control design, and I'm guessing some fans will be up in arms over the portrayal of Samus, I have little doubt that this will be a great game. A lot of effort has clearly been put into the cinematics and story-telling, but the gameplay hasn't suffered. The attention to detail is impressive, and the addition of Ninja Gaiden-style action with Metroid-style exploration should be a lot of fun.
I'm guessing some fans will be up in arms over the portrayal of Samus
"Oh Nintendo, please use use voice actors in your games."
Be careful what you wish for, guys.
I love the extreme disappointment by some when the VAST majority of the impressions have been EXTREMELY positive with minor complaints. It is time for the Metroid series to grow and evolve, deal with it.
You guys should lighten up on the controls. They seem to work very well, by game critic standards. And who knows, maybe one of the upgrades Samus is latter allowed to use is the nunchuck. :P:
I love the extreme disappointment by some when the VAST majority of the impressions have been EXTREMELY positive with minor complaints. It is time for the Metroid series to grow and evolve, deal with it.
From what I gather, most of us are not complaining about the changes but rather how they are implemented (controls, story conceits, etc.)
They may even ruin the fact that Santa doesn't exist
Nintendo should have just copy and pasted Metrod: Zero Mission, that would have been the best move. Screw trying to push the franchise in new directions, let's rehash the same stuff! I'm sorry but the original Metroid formula has been done to death in both Prime and Zero Mission, which was the "perfect" 2D Metroid. The series is pretty much in the same territory as Zelda after Twilight Princess, the current formula has been done to death, it is time to try new things.
I love the extreme disappointment by some when the VAST majority of the impressions have been EXTREMELY positive with minor complaints. It is time for the Metroid series to grow and evolve, deal with it.
The Army can't get into the facility because of a blocked door and they do not want to use explosives. Samus opens the door with a missile.Moral: Shoot first, story second.
So what, Samus gets PTSD over a dead soul-sucking jellyfish thing but has no problem with the whole killing thousands of people (space pirates are obviously sapient creatures) and destroying entire planets business? What about the extinction of the Chozo race? Didn't they act like parents to her? Wouldn't losing your parents and their entire species (i.e. anybody you ever knew during your childhood) be a bit more of a shock than the death of a pet that you met for a few minutes before handing it over to scientists for experimentation?
Has Nintendo been confirmed to be exhibiting at PAX East? I'd love a chance to try this game out for myself.
I cannot fathom why you would opt for that kind of control when an analogue stick is readily available if the nunchuck were to be used. This would also provide an extra "accessible" button, and make it so that the controller would not have to be flipped to shoot first person. I am not saying that the NES style won't work, I just don't see why they need to make it work.
It is time for the Metroid series to grow and evolve, deal with it.
SM64. But with a relatively fixed perspective.
The problem is mass appeal means action-focused gameplay, linear progression and clearly defined objectives.
The problem is mass appeal means action-focused gameplay, linear progression and clearly defined objectives.
You just described Metroid Fusion. Every Metroid has at least some focus on action. But Metroid Fusion had linear progression and clearly defined objects. And I really liked it, therefor I don't consider this a problem. I guess it's a problem for those of you that hated Metroid Fusion.
I don't view this as evolution or de-evolution. Just as a side-step game. Kind of like Zelda II, SMB 2, Majora's Mask. They all tried out some different gameplay (which with these examples, I really liked) and then they go back to the normal. Personally, I like the variety.
You just described Metroid Fusion. Every Metroid has at least some focus on action. But Metroid Fusion had linear progression and clearly defined objects. And I really liked it, therefor I don't consider this a problem. I guess it's a problem for those of you that hated Metroid Fusion.
QuoteI cannot fathom why you would opt for that kind of control when an analogue stick is readily available if the nunchuck were to be used. This would also provide an extra "accessible" button, and make it so that the controller would not have to be flipped to shoot first person. I am not saying that the NES style won't work, I just don't see why they need to make it work.
Have you not yet realized that with the Wii Nintendo's priority regarding controls isn't about using what's best but rather what's more marketable? Nintendo likes the sideways remote thing because of the NES controller comparison. There was no reason for Super Paper Mario, Warioland or NSMB to use that control scheme either. Just like how the remote was made to the look like a TV remote for marketing purposes, Metroid will use that control scheme because Nintendo wants to make the connection with the classic NES Metroid.
"Have you not yet realized?"... how do you come off talking to people like they are idiots?
Quote"Have you not yet realized?"... how do you come off talking to people like they are idiots?
Actually that does sound pretty harsh. Sorry about that. I meant it more as a sarcastic jab at Nintendo's controller design policies but that sort of tone doesn't convey through writing very well. I honestly didn't mean to offend.
The whole "captain's orders" thing doesn't really bother me. For one thing, according to 1up, the demo only lasted 45 minutes; there could still be a scenario in the game where Samus gains new equipment or powers. Samus had all of her weapons in the first part of Metroid Prime as well. Who knows how the game will play out at this point?QuoteYou just described Metroid Fusion. Every Metroid has at least some focus on action. But Metroid Fusion had linear progression and clearly defined objects. And I really liked it, therefor I don't consider this a problem. I guess it's a problem for those of you that hated Metroid Fusion.
I liked Metroid Fusion and I often defend it. Though I understand why others don't. Metroid Fusion was right on the line. To me it was as close as one could get to stepping over the "this isn't Metroid" line without stepping over. Refilling health by tilting the remote? That's dumbed down casual bull****. Do you even try to find energy tanks now and if so what's the point? That right there removes a core element of Metroid. And even though Metroid Fusion had "can't go in there" doors the abilities you gained were earned not arbitrarily turned on.
Building up Samus from a weakling to an unstoppable machine is a HUGE element of Metroid. And the player has to feel like they earned it and did it themselves. The impressions we have suggest that a big part of this has been removed. Well, ****, if this bull**** where the captain tells you when you can use abilities is the standard method of achievement in this game (and not just a first area-only thing) then they just strepped over the line. They ****ed with part of Metroid that you are forbidden to **** with. It would be like if in Zelda instead of finding an item in a dungeon you were given it to you by the Gods or whatever when the need to have it came up.
About the controls: 3D games have been controlled with a d-pad many times in the past. While it's not optimal, the auto-aim should help greatly along with the tightly controlled camera.
About the controls: 3D games have been controlled with a d-pad many times in the past. While it's not optimal, the auto-aim should help greatly along with the tightly controlled camera.
People don't get out of their functional cars and push them with the thought that the occasional hill will help greatly. My point, when an obviously better option is available... why do it? What 3d games do you play on a d-pad that are on a system with an analogue stick?
A character that needed a speaking role much more than Samus is Ridley. I mean, Samus is a human, we all know what humans are capable of but Ridley is a ****ing space dragon. It's clear that he has to be sapient since he's the commander of the space pirates but the way we see him he appears more like an animal. Hell, outside of Metroid Prime it's not even clear that the space pirates are sapient creatures.
I love the extreme disappointment by some when the VAST majority of the impressions have been EXTREMELY positive with minor complaints. It is time for the Metroid series to grow and evolve, deal with it.
So, I wonder why Nintendo hasn't published a new trailer of the game or gameplay videos yet? Waiting to lift a magazine embargo? To raise curiosity?The guy in charge of Metroid Other M is speaking at GDC next week and I'm pretty sure that is where the public reveal will happen so that is probably when videos and all the goodies will be released.
http://verydemotivational.com/2010/02/20/demotivational-posterssuper-smash-brothers-brawl/You need to save that for the HAWTNESS thread! ;)
It's necessary that they are sapient but it doesn't really come through in the games unless you really think about it.
Sounds to me like Metroid is the one Nintendo series that's evolving/mutating/changing/morphing faster than we can piece together commonalities to link together each successive entry.
Refilling health by tilting the remote? That's dumbed down casual bullshit. Do you even try to find energy tanks now and if so what's the point? That right there removes a core element of Metroid. And even though Metroid Fusion had "can't go in there" doors the abilities you gained were earned not arbitrarily turned on.I realize this quote's a few days old and maybe you already know what I'm about to say, but I'll go for it anyway.
Second, does it really make any difference how you gain your abilities storywise? What difference does it make if you beat a boss and then collect a power up or if you beat a boss and then your commanding officer says "oh ****, you're gonna need more weaponry"? It's the same effect either way.
Refilling health by tilting the remote? That's dumbed down casual bull****. Do you even try to find energy tanks now and if so what's the point? That right there removes a core element of Metroid. And even though Metroid Fusion had "can't go in there" doors the abilities you gained were earned not arbitrarily turned on.I'm not sure you understand just how the refilling worked. You have to hold it down for quite a while to get any health back, meaning it is very hard to pull it off in the midst of combat and is a very strategic move. If you get hit by a particularly hard attack that should have killed you, you keep a single sliver of life left to give you one last chance to recover and survive. Yes, there are energy tanks. The refill seems meant as a last resort measure -- I'm not sure if you can refill all the way up.
But if everyone stopped condemning games before playing them and acted reasonably, we wouldn't have a forum
But if everyone stopped condemning games before playing them and acted reasonably, we wouldn't have a forum
True.
Super Mario Galaxy 3 is gonna be so crappy. ;-)
I hope they never make that one, two galaxies is already stretching it. Galaxy 2 is pretty much Galaxy Lost Levels and we know how Nintendo treated the real SMB2j because it offered so little change. Mario games used to be more dramatically different.
The "Galaxy" scene has been done. I doubt I'll be buying SMG2 because I got my fill of that sort of game with SMG1. Nintendo should have done something different with Mario instead of rehashing him being in space.
I was thinking a Mario game where he travels through time would be kick-ass and have lots of potential.
I was thinking a Mario game where he travels through time would be kick-ass and have lots of potential.
Mario's Time Machine was an awesome game? ;)
