It has been eight years since the intergalactic bounty hunter known as Samus battled her archenemy, Mother Brain, in Super Metroid on Super Nintendo. Now she’s back in the prequel “Metroid Prime” on Gamecube.
For a series that began in 1986 with the original Metroid for the Nintendo, a new game has been a long time in coming. Metroid fans were disappointed when a Metroid game was not produced for Nintendo 64 console and anxiously awaited the release of Metroid Prime.
This is the first Metroid game that takes on the view of a first-person shooter. Many fans wondered whether Metroid could make the leap from the traditional third-person viewpoint to a first-person. It could, and it did.
“There are few fans in the world of video games more zealous than Metroid fans,” said Peter MacDougall, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Nintendo of America. “But despite their enthusiasm, we know that some feared Metroid wouldn’t be the same in 3-D as it was in 2-D. They were right; it’s better.”
The game shows off the processing power of the Gamecube. The attention to detail, such as the visible raindrops on the visor and heat waves from the arm cannon, will surprise players from the beginning. The scenery and creatures also are well done.
“I think that this is the reason right now to own a Gamecube. The graphics are beautiful, and the game play is excellent,” said Nathan Champion, a religious studies junior. “I’ve been waiting for the new Metroid to come out, and it’s even better than expected.”
The game begins with the main character, Samus Aran, infiltrating a Space Pirates’ ship in orbit. After defeating the monsters on the ship, she pursues another one that has escaped to the planet surface down below.
In the beginning of the game, players start with many weapons and items to master. The game does a good job explaining how the controls work. However, shortly after the beginning, Samus’ suit loses most of its weapons when she receives a great electrical shock. Throughout the game, players pick up more weapons and suit upgrades to aid them in their search to kill monsters.
The controls for the game are extremely awkward at the beginning. The game forces many things on the player all at once. As players progress, the controls become more manageable, but the game always is adding functions so players never are totally comfortable.
There is more to the game than just killing monsters. There are many places where players actually are required to think. The game can frustrate players quite easily in these instances.
The game compares well with Xbox’s infamous first person shooter, Halo, except there is no multi-player. The graphics in Metroid Prime are as good or even better. The controls are a bit more awkward in Metroid, but players cannot play Metroid with other people. It is only a one-player game.
Nintendo also released a Metroid game, Metroid Fusion, for the Gameboy Advance alongside Metroid Prime. The two games can be linked through a cord for the Gamecube and offer hidden functions. After beating Fusion and then linking the two together, players can play the original Metroid from 1986. Also, after beating Prime and linking the two, players receive new armor in Fusion.
The game is sure to please Metroid fans. Most of the weapons and items remained the same but look better. After eight years, it was well worth the wait.