Metroid Prime

The Good
Very seldom can you trust superlatives in a game review. Surely, you can't believe that Metroid Prime is so incredibly good that it's possibly the finest game ever made for any system. I was skeptical, too. Well, believe it, because Metroid Prime is quite simply a modern-day masterpiece. The graphics are astounding, and the level design is pure genius. There are a great deal of clever tricks to be performed, and a nice array of secret areas. And for those (like me) who were skeptical of the transition to 3D, be assured that the game doesn't lose any of that classic Metroid gameplay, and in fact gains something in the addition of the third dimension. After playing Prime, you'll swear the series was born to be in 3D. Topping off all the goodness is the polish of the game. Retro Studios went the extra mile to add a bunch of subtle effects that add to the atmosphere, making this one of the most immersive games ever.

The Bad
There's not much to dislike, but if I had to really stretch, I'd say two things are kind of downers: 1) it's sometimes difficult to aim at enemies way above or below you, and 2) there is a lot of backtracking. These complaints are minor as 1) the battles are easy and 2) there is so much eye candy and new areas to explore that backtracking hardly seems like a chore.

The Bottom Line
This is classic 2D Metroid brought into the third dimension. It's amazing, it's detailed, it's exciting, and it's a very lengthy adventure. This is an absolute must-have.

The Good
Retro have made a stylish job of updating this Nintendo classic to 3D. The map system - a scalable, rotatable wireframe model showing doors, save points etc. - is one of the best to grace any game on any platform, and is an invaluable tool for exploration of the massive but lonely world of Tallon. The gadgets and weapons are great, too - from Samus' ability to turn into a Sonic The Hedgehog-style 'Morph Ball' to the awesome visor system (enabling the player to see in x-ray or infra-red, for example). These features would, of course, be simple eye-candy without great design which Metroid Prime, fortunately, has in abundance. The designers have incorporated a huge number of mini-puzzles which must be solved in conjunction with the gear at Samus' disposal, and serve to make MP so much more than just another run-of-the mill FPS or platformer. For the completists out there, Samus' scanner can be used to check the facts and figures on every enemy and countless environmental features, at once providing further gameworld immersion and hints on solving puzzles or killing bosses. The amount of detail is staggering, as are the the graphics and sound (it is really worth playing with a Pro-Logic II system).

The Bad
The controls, whilst becoming second nature after several hours of play, are not particularly intuitive and may cause frustration in those players without a strong handle on the GameCube's controller. Be warned: Metroid Prime is quite difficult in places, although it is certainly worth persevering. Players expecting a classic FPS will also be out of luck - this game rewards those who seek to take in every inch of Tallon at their leisure, drinking in the lore of the planet's lost civilisation whilst obliterating its fantastic array of inhabitants. It's a shame, though, that Retro chose to stick with the cliched Fire Level Ice Level Forest Level design pattern, however well each has been executed.

The Bottom Line
Progress hinges on exploration and the aquisition of new gadgets and abilities (an early pair of 'double jump' boots, for example, enables Samus to reach otherwise inaccessible ledges) and it is this mechanic which players will either love or hate, as an amount of backtracking and seemingly aimless wandering is inevitable. Most gamers seem to love it, and it is definitely worth giving it a try.

The Good
How lucky I was that I got a chance to play Metroid Prime. Metroid Prime is Retro's atttempt to take the 2D Metroid series through the 3 dimensional gateway. It was very, very succesful.

Where else to start but the graphics? Metroid Prime looks amazing. Polygon and texture count is amazingly high, and everything looks so real. The enemies, levels, objects and so on have been so finely designed that they reflect on how much work was stuffed into this game. I can very well say this is one of the best looking GameCube released.

Sound quality was also remarkable. While I'm not one who really cares about sound in video games, Metroid Prime drew me to it. The effects are very well created, and sound very real. As with the backround music, which has the right atmospheric condition to draw you into the game. Sound is a very good aspect of this game.

What's a game without good gameplay? Definitely not Metroid Prime. The game plays very smoothly, no jags, long loads, slow downs, or any of that other stuff. The levels are so well designed that you could just run around in one for hours and not get tired. While the game is in the first person view, it is not a FPS(first person shooter). Sure, you have a weapon that you shoot stuff with, but MP distinguishes itself so obviously. The game focuses on exploration instead of non-stop shooting action. Levels need comprehending to complete, not just blazing guns. And oh yes, the ball transforming is back, and better than ever.

The Bad
Every game has a downside. Every game except Metroid Prime, that is.

The Bottom Line
As a loyal XBOX fan, I find myself wanting a GameCube just so I can have this game. Metroid Prime is one of the Golden games that have been released, and will definitely be known as one of the greatest. I give Metroid Prime a well-earned, solid, enthusiastic 5 out of 5.