Topic: Why doesn't James like Metroid Prime?

[Duncan]

Hey, I've just joined the forum, so I hope this isn't off topic. The podcast boards are "reply only". Anyway, I love listening to Radio Free Nintendo every week, but I've noticed every time Metroid Prime (one of my favourite games) is brought up, James makes some snarky remark about it. The most obvious examples I can think of was back when they were trying to pick the best game of the decade. Has James ever explained why he doesn't like Metroid Prime, or if he's just joking? Thanks! 

[Halbred]

James just doesn't like Metroid games.

He's wierd like that.

[broodwars]

If I remember correctly, James doesn't like the constant backtracking of the Metroid design, which is especially prevalent in the Prime games.  It's kind of amusing considering his fondness for JRPGs, but that's why he doesn't care much for the Metroid games.

[Duncan]

Oh, okay. Thanks.

[Crimm]

The series relies heavily on backtracking and near random happenstance to find where to go.  The game often makes you find a key and tells you "somewhere in this world is the key for this door."  It's poor design, and not fun. 

Do you find looking for missing car keys fun?  No.  What about looking for a car in a parking deck?   No.  So why would it be fun in a game?  Metroid is like looking for keys and then your car, only instead your living room you're in a subterranean hellscape and instead of a parking deck it is an entire perilous world.


Oh, and there is no way in hell that Metroid Prime was the "Game of the Decade."  Wind Waker murders it with a sword to the head.

[ThePerm]

it would make more sense if the key was made out of ice magic and the entrance to the next place you had to go to was also icey....


or even better, you receive a torch for whatever reason, and you remembered this door that was frozen solid, and you used this torch to melt the door that was frozen solid.

[Ian Sane]

The series relies heavily on backtracking and near random happenstance to find where to go.  The game often gives you a key and tells you "somewhere in this world is the key for this door."

See to me that's like a good sales pitch.  You're pretty much listing off everything I like about Metroid.  The appeal is very similar to that of a puzzle or a mystery with some discovery as well.  When I bomb and find a passage I feel like an archaeologist finding a secret passage.
 
If if you don't like Metroid Prime it is at least is a very innovative game, so much so that it gets flack from rubes for not playing like an FPS because it looks like one in screenshots.  What does Wind Waker do that is is even remotely creative or interesting?  It's basically Ocarina of Time with cartoon graphics, a big blue ocean of nothing for an overworld, and an irritating time consuming method of getting around.  What makes it exceptional?
 
One thing I find very frustrating about being a Metroid fan is that more than probably any other videogame franchise it is constantly criticized for what it's not.  And Nintendo actually CATERS to the people who hate the series by making games for these people.  Metroid Prime wasn't an FPS and it got tons of flack for that so they made Metroid Prime Hunters.  Meanwhile the series gets criticized for being too obtuse and having too much backtracking so they make the games MORE linear and put obvious hints in and eventually get to the point where we get Other M which is more or less a linear action game.  It seems to be designed specifically for a target audience that dislikes Metroid.
 
What other series has to deal with this where the concept is compromised more and more to appeal to people who don't even like the games in the first place?  Does Nintendo **** around with Zelda and Mario the whole time to appeal to non-fans?  But then Mario and Zelda have more universal appeal and maybe that's the problem.  Metroid doesn't but Nintendo can't really cope with one of their franchises being a profitable cult game.  Not only do I feel that I have to defend my Metroid fandom against haters but that I have to fight against the creators of the games themselves.  It's like the fans that made the series successful in the first place are punished.

[Halbred]

Oh, and there is no way in hell that Metroid Prime was the "Game of the Decade."  Wind Waker murders it with a sword to the head.

THANK YOU. We are of one mind.

[TJ Spyke]

I couldn't disagree more. I loved The Wind Waker, but Metroid Prime is so much better and was easily the best game of the decade. The game was almost perfect.

[Crimm]

The game was almost perfect.

...no.

[TJ Spyke]

...yes.

It's OK that you don't like it, but I don't understand why you can't see what a great game it is. There are games I don't like that I can still admit are good. I can't think of any flaws I see in it (back tracking is not a problem in the game).

[NWR_insanolord]

You're all wrong: Super Mario Galaxy was the game of the decade.

[Mop it up]

Close, but Super Smash Brothers Melee is the true game of the decade. It's got Mario, Link, and Samus in it, so I don't know how some silly game with just one of those characters could win out over it.

[NWR_insanolord]

Melee wasn't even the best Smash Bros. of the decade. [/instigating]

[Mop it up]

No way. That other one was a complete mess. Mario, Link, and Samus all got nerfed beyond belief. How is that any way to treat Nintendo's beloved heroes?

[ThePerm]

Gears of War was the game of the decade

[Mop it up]

Clearly Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing is the game of the decade. It makes us appreciate even the most mediocre of games by showing us just how bad things can get.

[NWR_insanolord]

I still think there's hope for my write-in candidate, Mario Tennis for the Game Boy Color. This contest isn't over yet.

[Chozo Ghost]

Some people don't like the Prime games because they are FP(S). I've had friends tell me they can't play it because it makes them physically sick, I guess its because of motion sickness or soemthing like that. It doesn't bother me in that way, but I am more of a fan of 3rd person games which is the way the Metroid series started. I like to be able to see my character on the screen and I like being able to see enemies which are behind me.

Other M mostly gets this right in that it is mostly in 3rd person, however in order to use missiles you have to switch into FP(S) and of course the enemies aren't going to grant you a time out so you can make that change and then get them into your sights. I've died many more times than I needed to just because I switched into FP(S) mode and was facing the wrong direction or something stupid like that. I just wish it was in 3rd person 100% of the time. I hope one day the Metroid series will go back to that.

And another reason why 3rd person perspective is better is for when Samus is in a bikini or her Zero Suit. When she's like that don't you want to be able to see her? If the game is in FP(S) then you can't enjoy the eye candy of Samus' body.

[Ian Sane]

I think Pikmin 2 is the Game of the Decade.  That or Majora's Mask.

I actually consider Metroid Prime 2 to be my favourite of the Metroid Prime series which is kind of interesting since that is often considered the worst entry of the series.  The first game was really awesome but I found the repeated Chozo Ghost encounters to be a real frustrating pain in the ass and since the sequel didn't have that I found it to be superior.  Metroid Prime 3 is my least favourite as I honestly don't care for the controls.  Plus splitting the world into several planets makes it more linear and less interesting.  Metroid Prime 3 is dumbed down for people who wanted the series to play like an FPS.

[Dasmos]

Oh, and there is no way in hell that Metroid Prime was the "Game of the Decade."  Wind Waker murders it with a sword to the head.

THANK YOU. We are of one mind.

Agreeing over here too.

[broodwars]

And another reason why 3rd person perspective is better is for when Samus is in a bikini or her Zero Suit. When she's like that don't you want to be able to see her? If the game is in FP(S) then you can't enjoy the eye candy of Samus' body.

-_-'
 
Personally, I prefer the 1st person perspective of the Prime games, as it is so much more immersive (especially when something hits your helmet, such as water, or you need to use one of the special visors).  The 3rd person Metroid games have their strengths (namely speed and a wider view of your environment), but I always feel a little detached when I play them.  Definitely better puzzles in the Prime games and better overall use of all of Samus' abilities as well.

[Sarail]

Oh, and there is no way in hell that Metroid Prime was the "Game of the Decade."  Wind Waker murders it with a sword to the head.

Hah. See that's crazy to me, because I consider Wind Waker one of the weaker Zeldas of the bunch. For me, Twilight Princess is my favorite (the atmosphere in that game is just crazy awesome sauce) with Majora's Mask (the character development is fantastic) following very closely behind.

As far as Metroids go, Super Metroid is still my fav, followed very closely by Other M, with the Prime series, mainly 3 and then 2 behind Other M. Although, I'd probably rate Zero Mission between Prime 3 and 2.

[NWR_Neal]

Sega Soccer Slam was the best game of the decade.

[that Baby guy]

I could've sworn half the planet thought Scribblenauts was the best game of the decade.