Metroid: Other M - The end of my Metroid summer

I'm starting this post as the final credit to Other M scroll in front of me. A rather bland orchestral piece is playing, not memorable at all. No Samus Theme, really?

The game does something really cool after the credit. A fun and story related way to finish collecting the items. The epilogue actually made me appreciate the game more.

In many ways, it feels like a 3D version of Metroid Fusion. You are aboard a space station, sections are locked, sometimes unlocked. You must use navigation rooms to progress, etc.

My biggest disappointment has to be the music. Few classic themes are used and even when they are, their impact is not really strong. Also, no classic pickup chime? Honestly, the sound used sounds a regurgitating computer. There were no moments like realizing that you are listening to a slowed version of the Brinstar theme as you embark on a new adventure on Tallon IV. No eery and familiar tune to make the slow trek through water more enjoyable. No heroic theme to let you know that you are indeed THE BEST bounty hunter in the galaxy. No bombastic chanting as you explore a fiery region.

Story wise, I couldn't care less. I've already typed enough words on Metroid to show that even if the game was a total failure (which it is not), I would still enjoy it. It is, however, way too full of itself and heavy handed. I guess Samus would be prone to monologuing a lot... She does spend a lot of time alone. At least we now have some context to the Adam of Fusion.

Maybe this Metroid aims to get new fans, and the gameplay may succeed in doing that. I hope it sells well... I mean, the game IS fun. The I guess I was expecting something more epic.

In the end, this further proves how different American and Japanese sensibilities are towars storytelling. Prime is a lot more akin to Bioshock, with little exposition, most of the story comes from elements you scan (something you never have to do) whereas Other M feels like a classic Japanese with » stock characters (the geekyscientist, the faceless mooks, the evil colonel, ...).

The Prime series managed to instill so much life and lore in the universe. Sure, you had to read to get to that, but it was worth it. Who wouldn't to see another game where the Chozos aren't explored more?

After Other M and Fusion, the space left for Samus to explore seems a lot smaller. No more Metroids..., no more Space Pirates. Maybe it's time for her to rest. No matter what folks might say about her latest adventure, in my humble opinion, it is mission complete.

P.S.: This post was written over a few nights, hence the lack of cohesion of sorts.
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Metroid Prime Conclusion

Metroid Prime 2 is, in this big return to the Metroid series, the most fascinating to me. As I previously blogged, it did not appeal to me that much at first, due in parts to my playing World of Warcraft as well as its labyrinthine light-dark structure. I will be honest, I believe I got stuck at the same place that I originally did. Torgus Bog, the one place where the Hint System could kick in faster.

Having just finished Prime 3, I realised that Metroid was the game of the summer for me. I definitely could have chosen worse. Although I will admit that Prime 3 starts too slow and not mysteriously enough, the second half of the game is an epic conclusion to a fascinating iteration of a fantastic franchise.

If you have not had the pleasure of playing any of the Prime titles, you owe it to yourself to play at least one of them, especially if you enjoy Metroid and exploration games. Ideally, get your hand on the Trilogy.

Playing these games again has made me realize that I have yet to play in as fascinating environments as those of Tallon IV, Aether, and those of Prime 3.

This has been a fun ride that will come to its conclusion soon with a new title to boot. Incidentally, I also have not player Super Metroid yet... Keeping the best for last I guess.

Next post will not be about Other M, that's going to be on the podcast.

Until next time... the galaxy is at peace.


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Secluded in a Varia Suit

Metroid. A series about being lost and alone, trying to find your place in the world. As you explore this alien world, you grow in strengths, powers and abilities. The usual hero story in other words. In Metroid, however, a lot of emphasis is put on making you uneasy about the setting. Lost, confused, disoriented. Most of my previous posts have been about this series, mainly because that is all I have been playing (with a few StarCraft 2 games in-between). Having recently cleared Zero Mission, Fusion, Prime 1 and 2 (as well as being 30-40% into Prime 3), I thought I would present my thoughts on these perticular titles, especially regarding the Hint System featured in these titles.

I will start with Metroid Prime. One of the great Gamecube games, Prime was the 3Dfication of Super Metroid. Beautifully realised by Retro Studios, it truly captured the feeling of isolation and desolation found in the previous titles. It also introduced the Hint System that would follow in the other titles. The hint system basically showed you where you were supposed to go next, but not as soon as you picked up the latest upgrade. The hints are very well timed and pop up usually when you've been spending maybe too much time walking around, grabbing Missile Expansion. Furthermore, the hint usually was a room in the middle of the map, isolated, with no connections to where you were.

To make your way to this room, you had to explore the environment, scan almost everything to pierce some of the mystery that surrounds Tallon IV, Phazon and the Space Pirates. It is a minimalist system, that you can turn off. Still, the environments being quite massive (especially when you consider their verticality), it is nice to have a little beacon telling at least in which direction you should go. All in all, the introduction of a hint system in the Metroid series was nicely done. Subtle, not too intrusive, and well, the game is not holding your hand.

Moving onto our second game, Metroid Fusion came out at the same time as Prime. It also features a hint system, but this time it is in the form of mission objectives. You do not have much in terms of choices when you enter or exit a section, you MUST access that Navigation Station, which will tell you more about the story as well as where you need to go next. Here, it is an integral part of the game and although the exploratory aspects of the game are not as interesting as those in Prime (it is a 2D game after all), at least it makes sense within the context of the story.

My gripe about Fusion is the difficulty. The boss encounters are mostly about blasting a big baddy as fast as possible with missiles, before he kills you. I will admit that there is definitely something old school about those encounters, but it doesn't mean that they have aged well. My memory of Fusion was distant and I am glad to have re-explored it, unfortunately it will most likely be a long time before I do so again.

Zero Mission, a retelling of the first Metroid game, is an interesting hybrid of Metroid 1 and 3. Sadly, it incorporates Chozo guides that tell you your next destination and the game lacks most of the sentiment of isolation found in its roots. It is still worth the few hours it takes to finish and the end should surprise you.

Speaking of end, I think I've typed enough about Metroid for one day. Next post, my thoughts on Prime 2 & 3 (which hopefully I will have finished by then). Until next time, grab those Missile Tanks!

The Thursday Post - Mother (not Earthbound related)

"The last Metroid is in captivity. The galaxy is at peace."

This ominous quote begins my favourite game of all time, Super Metroid or Metroid 3. As mentioned in my last post, I've been playing the Metroid Prime Trilogy these past few days, as a matter of fact, I finished the first chapter today and jumped straight into the second instalment, a rather interesting thing to do. However, today's post is not about this series, but the new title that is coming out.

Part of being a gaming enthusiast and not journalist means that I need not look at everything published on a title. This also means that aside from a trailer or two, a few hands on impression, and the timeline, I know very little about Metroid: Other M. What I've read in terms of gameplay has arisen some doubts, but I will get the game no matter what because it is Metroid.

Going back to my opening quote, this last Metroid plays an important role in Super Metroid and the pivotal scene where the last Metroid saves Samus leads into the next title. I believe and hope that the title will explore this "parent-child" relationship between Samus and the Metroid. After the title, Metroid: Other M, or Metroid: M Other (mother), or the actual accronym, MOM leads me to believe that it will play some part of it. Then again, this might simply the parent in me talking.

Then again if we are talking about the other Mother of the series, Mother Brain, I will not complain either.

This is Jeff signing out. Next time, probably some more space talk.


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