Topic: Metroid Other M

[Stratos]

Well, games like Knights of the Old Republic and Shadows of the Empire had random perspective shifts depending on what was happening. Specifically there were points where you were flying in a ship and took control of the guns to blast enemy ships. So couldn't Samus be doing something similar?

[Chozo Ghost]

I would feel more comfortable about the sideways remote control setup if the remote actually had the same number of buttons as at least an SNES controller, but sadly it doesn't. I want a game that plays like Super Metroid; not the original Metroid.

If they're going to do this then they should make it use the CC controller instead, and if necessary bundle a CC with the game ala Wii Play. Doing that would also beef up sales for sure.

Don't forget the B and A buttons. Granted, they are more difficult to press while moving but the B trigger at least could be hit more easily while playing. + and - could also be used.

+ and - always seem to fill in for start and select, and they aren't very easy to access in heated gameplay, so no help there. As you said the A and B are also there, but not very easy to access during heated play. So basically, you're stuck with the 1 and 2 as your main buttons and those are tiny. Why oh why didn't Nintendo make these buttons bigger and toss in a 3 and 4 button as well??

[Caterkiller]

Graphics seem to have improved a bit.

[Ian Sane]

I still don't like the screenshots for this game.  It just looks generic and shovelware-esque.  Retro set the bar so high that this looks cheap and lazy in comparison.

Regarding the description about the first person stuff, I don't know.  That certainly gives me cause to be concerned.  But then there's been an uncertain nagging feeling about this game since it was announced.  The problem is we're coming off Metroid Prime which was absolutely awesome and there was really no need to do any sort of Metroid 3D reboot.  I was content with Retro making something new for the Wii and then busting out Metroid Prime 4 for the Wii 2.  And I wanted Nintendo to continue making 2D Metroids, which they have slacked off on.

The whole premise has this vibe that Retro was fucking stuff up and that THIS is a return to "true" Metroid.  The only problem is Metroid Prime was true Metroid.  Only the most close-minded bigot thought overwise.  This whole thing is kind of like Nintendo addressing a problem that never existed.  You look at this and Metroid Prime Hunters and you get this feeling that despite what we think Nintendo wants Metroid to be something else and for someone else.  FPS jackasses complained about Metroid Prime not playing like Halo so Nintendo made a shitty Metroid FPS and that is so far the DS' Metroid game, like it or leave it.  This seems to be the answer to Japan's disinterest in the series.  I don't see why Nintendo can't make Metroid for Metroid fans.

However I remain very interested in this game.  I really hope it turns out awesome.  But I also would not be shocked at all if it didn't.

[Mop it up]

I hope there are other control options besides the Wii Remote on its side, I don't like games which force that control style as I find it to be a bit uncomfortable. There's absolutely no reason that an option to use the Nunchuk shouldn't be included in such type games, as everyone has at least one Nunchuk. Super Paper Mario especially bugged me with the sideways Wii Remote, as the game could have actually benefited from an analogue stick.

[Stratos]

I hope there are other control options besides the Wii Remote on its side, I don't like games which force that control style as I find it to be a bit uncomfortable. There's absolutely no reason that an option to use the Nunchuk shouldn't be included in such type games, as everyone has at least one Nunchuk. Super Paper Mario especially bugged me with the sideways Wii Remote, as the game could have actually benefited from an analogue stick.

Plus ignoring CC and CC Pro support is rather frustrating for me.

[Mop it up]

Well, I think that goes the same for not including support for the GameCube controller (which I see no reason why any game that supports the Classic Controller can't do the same for the GCN controller). It's extra effort to program in support for that controller that not everyone has, but everyone has a Nunchuk and that's why I feel it should take priority as an alternate control scheme (if not as the primary control type).

[Ian Sane]

Plus ignoring CC and CC Pro support is rather frustrating for me.

I suspect Nintendo does it on purpose to dissuade the classic controller's use.  They made all this big talk about the remote being the new standard but then observed that any time they made a game that supported the CC, everyone used the CC because it was always superior.  Ooops.  That doesn't make Nintendo look good.  The sideways remote method lets them act as if you're playing a game that "could not be done on any other console but the Wii".  A game like this if it doesn't require the remote might as well have been done on the Gamecube since the visuals show no significant improvement.  Do you want to give your customers the impression that they bought a new console just to have the same experience their old console provided them?  Obviously not so they make a game that needs three buttons and map the third button to a shake or add some pointer mini-game and voila.
 
I think Nintendo also likes the comparison of the sideways remote to the NES controller.  It has a "going back to basics" marketing spin to it.
 
Sidescrolling games don't usually need analog control so I'm not too worried.  I'm just concerned about the position shift I'll have to do to move from NES mode to point mode.  If I get killed because I'm expected to suddenly hold my controller differently I'm going to be pissed.  That **** got old six months into the DS's life and should never EVER show up these days.

[vudu]

I still don't like the screenshots for this game.  It just looks generic and shovelware-esque.  Retro set the bar so high that this looks cheap and lazy in comparison.

Can someone dig up those S&P2 screen shots that show both pre-release and final build so Ian shuts his pie hole?

[Spinnzilla]

can anybody confirm this for me?
 

 UPDATE: Looks like players will be able to freely switch between first-person and third-person mode, allowing for easy targeting of enemies and smooth exploration. The Twitter #OtherM feed is also alight with comments, so check them out. Chances are, whatever new news occurs will happen there first!

http://www.metroid-database.com/
 
Sounds pretty cool IMO.

[mantidor]

I have my doubts about the control scheme, 2D control hold sideways doesn't mix well with first person aiming in action games, for something like super paper mario it was ok, but I don't see how intuitive or easy it would be to clean a room full of enemies. I guess we need videos of this.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Seems a bit silly to question the game's visuals, Team Ninja, if anything is extremely talented when it comes to visual talent.

[Caterkiller]

I just read IGN's impressions and I am completely sold. They make it sound absolutely amazing! I am super hyped and can't wait to hear Samus's non brawl voice.

[Kairon]

Seems a bit silly to question the game's visuals, Team Ninja, if anything is extremely talented when it comes to visual talent.

Actually, it might be EXACTLY Team Ninja as the reason for the visuals. Apparently, if you look closely at all their games, even the HD ones, they tend to be glossy and shiny rather than grungy or dirty.

[GoldenPhoenix]

From the hands on the game sounds fantastic and an evolution of the series. Sounds like the visuals are great as well.

[Stogi]

Samus monologing? Ugh..

[BeautifulShy]

http://Http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=115449

[mantidor]

Samus monologing? Ugh..

This is certainly the worst part, even if the voice acting was good, which it isn't at all.

[Peachylala]

I just read IGN's impressions and I am completely sold.

I trust IGN as far as I can throw them. Does NWR or any other RESPECTABLE Nintendo fan site have impressions yet?

Has Jennifer Hale been confirmed to be Samus' VA yet? I might be able to stand since I <3 Jennifer Hale's VAing. (if anyone can make Cinderella bas-assed, it's her. SERIOUSLY, I'M NOT KIDDING.)

[stevey]

Nintendo and voice acting should never, ever, EVER be used in the same sentence nevertheless a game be it a Zelda, Mario, or Metroid.

[Peachylala]

But Metroid Prime 3 used voice acting and I found it good. other games are iffy, but...

[Ian Sane]

The problem with voice-acting and cutscenes is that Nintendo doesn't usually consider that sort of stuff a priority.  So they suck at it and they don't spend much money on it.  Nintendo's voice acting comes across as the staff's friends and families volunteering their time.  A good voice actor costs money and Nintendo are cheapskates so they don't usually get it right.

It's the same problem that plagued Wii Music's soundtrack.  Nintendo doesn't usually spend money on music licencing so we got tons of public domain and Nintendo owned music.

Certain presentation elements in videogames cost money and if Nintendo isn't willing to spend the money to do them well they should not even bother.

Samus monologing makes it sound like this is going to be one of THOSE games where I really enjoy the gameplay but roll my eyes any time the story pops its head in.  I swear my friends and I made videos for school projects in high school that had more coherent plots and better writing than 90% of videogame stories (and all we did was steal jokes from The Simpsons).  Does gaming naturally attract hack writers on the basis of "if you were any good you would be writing for movies or TV"?  There are a tons of complete **** movies and TV shows out there so if you're writing for videogames is the logical conclusion that you are worse than the absolute WORST screenwriters?

Who's worse?  Videogame writers or pro wrestling writers?  Tricky question, eh?

Back to Metroid there have been some impressions that indicate that Samus' abilities are unlocked based on a superior officer giving the order for her to be allowed to use them.  I hope that's just at the beginning of the game.  Finding new abilities is like the whole point of Metroid.  Having the game just turn them on for you at select points would be so lame.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I like when Nintendo tries mix things up and try to innovate people complain, but they also complain when they do the exact same gameplay over and over again. They just cannot win. Metroid: Other M has potentially to be a really innovative and GUTSY game, let's give it a change OK? Heck already it sounds fantastic (besides some of the voice acting complaints, then again so what? Bad voice acting does not ruin a game, as seen by the FF series or even Tales series). Nintendo is obviously trying to do here what they did with Eternal Darkness, work with another company to get a fresh perspective on how to do things. Team Ninja IS a talented company as seen by the 3D Ninja Gaiden games, and with the creator of Super Metroid at the helm, it deserves to be given a chance.

[Halbred]

The Eternal Darkness analogue is really good, GP. I never would've thought of that. You can also bring up Twin Snakes as another example. Hell, Retro Studios made Metroid Prime through a similar arrangement.

[GoldenPhoenix]

You are right Halbred, Metroid Prime was worked on with the help of Miyamoto. Nintendo has for the most part gotten the best out of developers they work closely with (I do not mean those instances where they just handed a franchise off to a developer and said "Go for it!"), Metroid Prime, and Eternal Darkness being their biggest examples. Even Geist, while it appears Nintendo had some influence, still is a quality albit flawed title.

Now if Team Ninja was handed Metroid and Nintendo wasn't working that closely with them, I'd be worried but as it is, I'm not because Nintendo has an amazing track record for co-projects. They seem to have an eye for getting the best out of a developer in that arrangement, even possibly changing them for the best (retro) or at the very least maximize the unique talents of a developer while providing guidance (Silicon Knights).

Team Ninja has had signs of brilliance, especially with their 3D Ninja Gaiden things. I expect Nintendo to get the most out of them as well.