I can honestly say that Metriod is one of my all time favorite franchises. It is one of those games that was able to break free from its classic two dimensional roots and become equally as great in our current three dimensional world. Ever since I have picked up a Wii (despite its enormous success), I have always been skeptical of using the controller to play games that weren't designed to be party games. As always, I am wrong again when it comes to the incorporation of the Wii remote.
Just incase you haven't ever played Metroid; you take on the role of Samus Aran as she once again sets out to save the day and uncover the mysteries of a lost civilization. Much to my surprise I was a little let down by the story. I just feel like I have played the same game twice before and now I am replaying it again. Although the story is different, the feeling of repetition has set in for the Metroid series. With that being said Metroid Prime 3: Corruption actually does tell a pretty good story; it has some good plot points and it also offers a little more depth to the Metroid universe (aside from the one planet you are typically saving). I very much enjoyed seeing Samuus in a context other than the battlefield.
If you have played a Metriod Prime game before then I don't really need to go into too many details about Metroid Prime 3. The only real difference in the game play is the addition of the motion sensing controls. Let me just say that you have not played a first person shooter until you have played it with the Wii Remote. The Wii controller makes the game feel realistic in a way that a controller never can. Although this feature would not work for every first person shooter it works very well for Metriod Prime 3: Corruption. Aside from the Wii motion sensing controls Metroid Prime 3 does have one extra stand out feature. I absolutely love having access to the ship. Now the ship is not new to the Metroid universe, but for the first time ever your ship acts as more than just a place to save your game and refill your energy. You can enter your ship at any time and once inside you have a plethora of options at your disposal (fly to a new location, check out stats, examine your inventory, etc.). Being able to enter the ship is just one of those nice touches that make you realize why you bought a Wii.
As much fun as the Wii controller is to use I feel that the games difficulty has been watered down because of it. I remember the first two Metroid Prime games being more challenging. Maybe it was a good thing because the Wii controller is not as easy to use as a traditional controller, but I would have preferred a great challenge (even on the hard difficulty setting). More to the point I felt that the boss fights were a bit of a disappointment; I don't think they are as creative this time. For as cool as the ship is to use in Metroid Prime 3, it also removes some of the exploration elements that made Metroid what it is. There are still areas that can only be accessed after you have reached a certain level in the game, but the entire world isn't interconnected as it has been in previous installments. Instead you now travel to different planets instead of unlocking new short cuts.
For every step forward, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption takes half a step back. The Wii remote works well but the gameplay was curved to compensate. The development of your ships roll is great but the level of exploration has been removed. In the end Metroid is still Metriod and any fan of the series will enjoy this game like I did. Here's hoping that the next title can find some common ground and make a truly amazing experience.
"If you're not directly working on the game, go away" - former Retro world artist, Nate Purkeypile
Then there is Microsoft's approach which is just to piss in the wind and 95% of their stuff turns out bad. Developers might like that personally but you'll be out of a job quicker than you know it through badly shipped products.
First party Nintendo titles are held to a specific standard for a reason. It could be argued that both Sony and MS could benefit from doing the same, but you are right with MS nonchalant approach and "it scored well internally" and then putting out something like Redfall. Even Halo, MS' flagship series, wasn't overseen with the fine tooth comb to ensure it was top notch quality.
Nintendo first party games are very rarely duds, let alone non functional ones. You don't get that without a little (or a lot) of micromanaging. Is it annoying? No doubt. Their track record speaks for itself though and you can't deny that.
I think there is good evidence for both sides of that argument, really.
Japan Studio didn't have much oversight and that studio produced pure magic. Financially, it wasn't a cash cow studio, but I sense that anyone who played their games really felt the care and passion for their creation at work. Media Molecule is another one. I personally feel that Sony and Microsoft micromanagement tends to be overly negative. It might work for Nintendo because they're big on making a fun and engaging game first and entice people that way.
Sony as of late and Microsoft for at least two generations now, when they get into the micromanagement, it seems like a profoundly anxious experience.
i dunno if i agree with that.
i think some leeway is necessary to achieve atleast some sort of spectacle.
With the Wiimote as your Arm Cannon, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is a motion control revolution.
From Xfire: "Is Super Metroid still as super as it once was in 1994? If not, which Metroid game is better than the influential title?"
I look forward to the day any game beats that Super, Metroid or not.
Hollow Knight come damn near close to knocking Super Metroid from the top of my list, that’s a huge achievement for such a small team.
The problem for me is I’ve been waiting for a 2D Metroid that beats Super but I don’t think I’ll ever see that day. I still play the original 1-2 times a year and a few randomiser plays.
Fully agree with the list and all points it makes for each game. I’m expecting Dread to fit in the middle of that list but I’m happy to be wrong about that.
of the motion controllers accuracy? I played the game at my friends house and thought it was fun too. I got frustrated though because I felt like the controls weren't that accurate. Some people complain about going from keyboard and mouse to analog stick. I complained about going analog stick to Wiimote ... lol
Still ... a great game. I do agree that the control scheme brings you into the game. Motion controls are fun like that. I played through Motorstorm with the analog but, I went back to play every level with the motion controls again because it felt so much more real even if it was no where near as accurate.