Gamecube Impressions Part IV: Metroid Prime

It's hard to collect my thoughts about this game. On one hand, I'm a devout PC gamer who believes that a FPS should be played with a keyboard and mouse. But as I've noted before I was proven very wrong in the case of Metroid Prime. And when I say wrong, I mean I had the fucking scales lifted from my eyes by Retro Studios.

The setting of Metroid Prime is right after the original NES Metroid, and Samus Aran is sent to investigate a space station orbiting the planet Tallon IV. After getting oriented with the controls in a brief tutorial sequence, Samus soon learns there was a massive battle on board involving her arch nemeses: the Space Pirates. The space station sequence is more of an introduction to the gameplay than anything else - the real story comes from exploring the ruins of the ancient Chozo civilization on the planet below. It also serves as reason to explain the loss of all your power ups and suit mods. I was a little annoyed (as always) by a time limited sequence that requires you to dash through the exploding space station after having beat the area boss. Failing means you have to fight the boss again, which was a hassle, but the route is not that difficult so it only took an additional try.

The graphical quality of this game is staggering, and entirely noticable once you land on the surface of Tallon IV. The environmental effects are eye popping and scale all the way down to the absurdly subtle. Example: When I fall into a pond and resurface, condensation and water droplets form on my visor fogging my vision for a few seconds, even though it disappears almost as soon as you see it. Similar fogging effects take place in extremely hot areas, and during very bright explosions you might just catch a glimpse of Samus Aran's face reflected in the visor. To go through the effort of making the game that much more believable astonishes me; PC game developers take note.

Although it doesn't do much to modify the basic gameplay "rules" set out by the original Metroid - the find new power, backtrack, explore, beat boss, get new power formula - the transition to 3D has left me feeling euphoric. If Metroid was meant to be a FPS this is the way it was destined to be realized. Retro Studios has taken a beloved franchise, and completely redesigned it to make it feel fresh. Long time fans will not find anything new with respect to powerups as they're still the same, but the 3D approach to this game makes it seem like you're playing it for the first time.

Each new environment on the planet Tallon IV is brought to life with painstaking detail - the rock formations, the wall textures, the foliage - and it was something you could expect from a PC game. Travelling through confined spaces in the third-person view of morph ball mode, seeing a morph ball secret passageway travel around the four walls of a room, or adventuring through ancient ruins: the visuals were breathtaking. The areas of the game are massive, and allow for many hours spent in exploration.

I've read that some gamers had a problem with the auto-aim, claiming that it's like putting training wheels on the traditional FPS. However I beg to differ. The game's pacing is very deliberate, and as a result the controls are a non-issue once you get past the first mission. If running around with an itchy trigger finger was the point, I doubt 'Prime would have worked. That's because at its core, Metroid Prime is a first person adventure. Exploration is the purpose. And what a great way to show off this vast, beautiful game world. There are many well-placed secret areas and items to scan with your Visor for backstory and mission objectives. The game is just massive, which makes my mind do backflips when I try to understand how someone can do a speed run with 100% completion of this game.

As a long time Metroid fan, I was a little wary of buying in to this new adventure. At their best, the Metroid games contain some of the finest side-scrolling adventures ever conceived. Metroid Prime takes this series and creates a world to immerse ourselves in, one that is exquisitely and meticulously crafted. I happen to like the fact that there is an excellent FPS available for my Gamecube. I firmly believe that this game would have done well - and would still do well - on the PC. But, as we all know Nintendo takes their properties very seriously. This is the best game for the Gamecube, hands down. Well done, Retro.

Not surprisingly, Nintendo made the official announcement for Metroid Prime 2 at this year's E3 when they showed a teaser video. Rumours were also flying around earlier this year about the game's fate. Due to extremely poor sales of the 'cube everyone figured that MP2 would be developed for the Gamecube's successor, the N5. However the Gamecube's recent surge in sales may dictate otherwise. I'd much rather extend the life of my 'cube with another Metroid title, and as I've said many times before at least one fucking Castlevania title. Jesus, Konami, would it be that hard? I mean seriously. The PS2 is a god damned dinosaur. But I digress.

According to Nintendo, there will be more focus on third person action in Prime 2 - meaning more morph ball puzzles. Is this a good thing? I say yes, as long as it's not out of control. Some of the most visually appealing sequences in Prime were when I was navigating corridors and hidden passageways in morph ball form. As an added bonus, a press release confirms the release date of Metroid: Zero Mission for the GBA, which is loosely based on the original NES Metroid. February 9th is also the day Crystal Chronicles hits stores in North America. That will be a magical day at my local EB, I am sure of it.

On deck are my impressions of the latest iteration of the Mario Kart series, Double Dash. I've played it a lot - solo and multiplayer - since we got it. I've possibly played it too much, as the faults with the game are slowly being revealed. It's not a bad game, I just think Nintendo played it safe instead of creating an even better followup to the SNES classic.

is it confused? i know the truth