Metroid Prime Review

Back in 2002, the idea was born. The idea to turn the much loved franchise of Metroid into a first person game. Released way back on the Nintendo Gamecube, Metroid Prime was loved by many fans and critics. Now, in 2011, how does it hold up?


Metroid Prime looks stunning. Even without HD graphics, the art direction and design make the Alien world of Tallon IV look like a living breathing planet. Not even alien set games like Halo manage to achieve this. The sound it also perfect for the locals. While the music isn't memorable like Zelda, it helps set the mood. You play as Samus Aran, Nintendo's famed space bounty hunter (she doesn't hunt space...but, you get the idea) You will arrive on Tallon IV in search of a mysterious, yet familiar beast that seemingly was behind part of the destruction of Frigate Orpheon. Upon arriving on Tallon IV, the storytelling ceases and you have to begin working it out for yourself. You'll do this by scanning various Chozo scripts and that of the Space Pirates. Be warned though, you will be doing a lot of scanning. But, without spoiling too much, the planet Tallon IV was once inhabited by the Chozo, until a meteor hit the planet. Riding on the meteor is this substance called Phazon, which has strange effects on the world and the inhabitants. The Space Pirates want to weaponize it, therefore creating some pretty freaky stuff in the process. And guess who's job it is to stop them!

The gameplay of Metroid Prime revolves around traversing the world in search of suit upgrades, things to scan, Artifacts and of course, the source of the Phazon. While it may be marketed as a first person shooter, this is closer to a first person adventure game that anything else. The greatness of Metroid Prime comes from comes from exploring the world and finding new ways to get about. There are some enemies which can only be fought in a certain way which means you have pretty interesting and varied gameplay. There is one function in Prime which people will either love or hate. Backtracking.  After obtaining new upgrades, you can go back and get upgrades which you weren't able to get before. Me? I was okay with it. It did mean that the upgrades you get can be limited if you wish to plough the game, making it harder. I love the gameplay though, it's so hypnotically engrossing. However, it does have flaws. For instance, it takes AGES to get around ANYWHERE! If there was a fast travel system, the game would be SO much better, even if it is already amazing. There is one other problem. Prime has a lack of direction. The only time I didn't enjoy the game was when I spent 40 mins walking around mindlessly doing nothing. Eventually, I had to resort to doing something I hated: using a walkthrough. Sometimes, you just won't know where to go at all, and you'll have to wait for ages for a hint to pop up, and even the you'll have to do a lot of walking to the place. ARRGGH! So, if anyone uses a walkthrough, don't judge. Please. However, the feeling of getting a new suit upgrade is more than worth all this unnecessary travelling. The only other problem I have is that the game doesn't tell you which doors are save stations. One time, I went into a room with two doors. I decided to go one way. I was killed and had to spend another 10 minutes walking to get to the room again. I went through the other door and, turns out, it was a save station. That's another thing. save stations. Every time you die, you return to the last one you saved at. This is a feature that comes with age. In fact, a lot of the problems I had with the game can be attributed to age. Back in 2002, this game's flaws would have gone unnoticed, but now, I can't help but notice. But either way, this is a truly masterful game. Despite the flaws, like the fact that you have to start gain if you beat the game (I am going to play it again though!) it's a magical experience that is almost indescribable.