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Samus makes her three dimensional debut. |  Boz from Perth, Australia says (12/Dec/2003): | Metroid, one of Nintendo’s ‘baby’ franchises has experienced nearly a decade of absence. In that time the gaming technology moved from the two dimensional era, into the current, 3 dimensional world. It has been much publicised that leading game designer, Shigeru Miyamoto had always wanted to publish a Metroid game for the Nintendo 64, yet found no logical game concept to convert the character of Samus Aran (Metroid’s leading las) into the next dimension. Enter Retro Studios. One of Nintendo’s most recent second party signings. Miyamoto knew then that he had found the company that would give Samus and the Metroid franchise a new dimension.
To the public’s amazement, RS opted to take the series into the first-person perspective. When playing the game, you realise that the perspective was, really the only possible approach the designers could take. With the interactive view from inside Samus’ visor you can see and play the Metroid world on full and beautiful 3D landscapes, accommodating it’s inhabitants.
After one of the most impressive title and menu screen setups to date in a video game, I was thrown into the game, sure enough Samus was on her way to wipe out the Space Pirates, who she 'apparently' had destroyed after her confrontation with the Mother Brain, in the original Metroid. Anyway, enough of past history. Samus, tracks a signal that has identified the entity of a Space Pirate, her search leads to a seemingly abandoned space station above Tallon IV. Here is where you first take control of Samus. Completing a tutorial concealed in story progression, you find yourself in the base of the space station. From here you will progress through the base completing various objectives until, sure enough Samus finds what she was looking for, and after a fight with Prime's first boss, the Parasite Queen she uncovers a more sinister mutagen who goes by the name of 'Phazon.' Upon exiting, the space station blows up (keeping a tradition in all the Metroid games to date.)
Metroid Prime is based on finding the required items to progress, and therefore a large amount of your time is exclusive to back tracking throughout past levels, which would lead some to believe it to be tedious. However, being an essential part of the game the designers have ensured that each revisit of past levels will be unique and exciting. Once you have reached a certain point of the game, you will undoubtedly acquire a new item or weapon which will help in further progression in either the current level, a past level, or both.
The game boasts a large array of massive worlds for the player to immerse themselves in. From the Talon over world, being a wet and gloomy forest climate, to caverns containing vast amounts of magma, and of course it’s ice counterpart. They are all littered with puzzles and enemies unique to the area. Each level creates it’s own atmosphere, bringing greater depth and variation to the game
Again, keeping the Metroid tradition, Metroid Prime is based on Samus’ personal development. Since her Varia suit was damaged in an obstruction within the space station, she needs to regain it’s strengths and progress father. Such items such as the Morph Ball (which allows Samus to finally take a 3rd person perspective, as she raps herself up in a tiny ball), weapon upgrades, even new visors (to see previously undetectable enemies) and of course the ability to increase your health metre by collecting energy tanks. Each item will have it’s own purpose and serve to be important in progressing through the game.
The game boasts an immersive storyline. From the start you will start uncovering clues to the story’s progression and where you are heading. The tracking of Phazon and your famous battles with the Space Pirates and Metroid’s are all mixed in with the final discovery of Metroid Prime. With hardly any speech, the story relies heavily on learning interactively the plot, which is done to near perfection.
From the first minutes of play, you can tell that Metroid Prime is polished. The tight gameplay within the first person perspective is crucially achieved with stunning results. You have full control over Samus’ movement which allows you the ability to tackle tricky manoeuvres with ease. For example, when Samus is swamped with foe (which is a regular occurrence) the tight controls allow you to quickly assemble her feet and have full control over her dodging and weaving to brake free.
One of Metroid’s most famous features in the past has been Samus’ ability to try and defy the rules of gravity within her jumps from platform to platform. Given the game is in first person, many doubted that this feature could continue. Many other games in this genre have irradiated jumping altogether. However of late, games like EA’s ‘Nightfire’ have incorporated jumping into the gameplay. Metroid Prime takes it’s lead and recreates the feature, taking it to a whole new level. The feature therefore is weaved into many puzzles and obstacles throughout the game (such as leaps of faith and jumping within battle) to recreate the classic Metroid feature. Further progression into the game, Samus will acquire Space Boots which will allow for a extra jump to take place within the first jump taken. This, again is controlled tightly and is easy to use for complicated matters.
The fighting system is similar to Zelda, as it locks onto the enemy and due to it not being dual analogue, you find the battle system is vastly different to any other experienced. The ability to use visors, different weapons, use missiles, or even space jump your way out of trouble contribute to a unique battle system that would be hard to top in any case. Even though the game is geared towards being an adventure, rather than combat, the battle system allows moments of battle to be enjoyable and fun.
The artwork within Prime is absolutely astounding. Each world Samus visits is unique, due mainly to the artwork being so different to any other game thus far. The architecture of each building is unique, the landscaping is unique, even the natural elements, such as trees and grass are unique! This truly creates the worlds you visit to seem ‘unknown’ and spooky as it reaches past the normal comfort zone of artwork direction.
Coupled with a graphical engine, that is capable of recreating these environments at 60 frames per second with no slowdown and the detail within each entity of the game, make the graphics in Prime one of the most impressive in video gaming history to date. In the instances when there are in-game cut scenes you would be forgiven for thinking that it was full motion footage you were watching!
The sound only adds to the atmosphere created. In a partnership with the artwork, the music score and sounds of Prime are original and (in the music’s case) beautiful. All sound truly suits all the different environments and works well with the progression of the game. Kenji Yamamoto has used the synthesised effects to create a completely unique soundtrack.
Possibly the most disappointing aspects of Prime, is no multiplayer. It would have been priceless to take on your friends using all the power ups you had achieved throughout the game. Admittedly it would have been hard for the designers to include it with only the one sole character. Heres hoping for some in the sequel!
The special featured artwork and the Gameboy Advance feature (allowing you to play the original Metroid) add to the package, though all in all the single player game is what you are buying Metroid for. Nearly unfaultered in all areas of the game. With excitement, action and a powerful storyline to boot, make Prime easily, one of the greatest games to date on any Nintendo platform and secures the Metroid franchise with the respect it deserves.
| Hey Everybody! Samus gets her big promotion on GameCube | | A gamer says (31/Jan/2005): | If you haven't heard of Metriod Prime yet, then i'm thinking you wasted three or four years of your life in your room with the TV off. Samus has finally got a GameCube game. Samus stars in two games for the Nentenido GameCube. Forgive me if I mess up any words, for I have a bad cough right now. The games are Metriod Prime, and the new release, Metriod Prime 2: Echos.
Metriod Prime must be the best game in the whole world. The action and the animation are so real, it's like walking through the area right now. And the first person view allows me to think I'm actually in the suit for a few seconds, then I remember it's just a make believe world. The weapons and pickups you get along the way are just as asome as the game itself. Prime 2 also has it's good sides. It looks like the same thing as Prime 1, but Prime 2 has some differences that are worth checking. Man I ain't telling you what's in there, I wouldn't get my review posted. Go get the game and find out.
Prime 1 also has the figuring out certain stuff, like Metriod Fusion or Super Metriod, so it will be real proably to locate all those expansions, but their worth it. Same thing in Prime 2. Expansions help! Don't pass them by.
All in all, Prime 1, and Prime 2, are the best GameCube games this year. Now get out of that empty hole you call a room and buy it like I did for Peat Sakes.
| This game is not hard at all the buttons are easy all the levels are easy | | Jason from Salina Kansas,usa says (15/Nov/2004): | This game is so easy for game cube i bought it for some thing to do. i beat a few times and helped some friends beat it. the enimies are retarded and weak, well who cares what i think, im a video game proffessional. AKA the game whiz. if you need help you can add me Broncoman992000< remove me > at yahoo so its easy enough that you dont need to use cheats i wooped the game with out cheats i think about selling it but im collecting my games since i have every game system no im not rich if you dont have yahoo you can contact me at jasonleones13< remove me > at hotmail.com im on the computer every day and allday till 1am event if you need help on the other games feel free to email me or im me dont be shy im here to help who ever needs help on video games.Expesisly action games like every 007 games fighting GTA1 GTA2 GTA3 GTA4 GTA5 they are all so easy and i have every code to them. iv beaten all 5 of them so i could help you out i am not a geinus or a nerd i just love video games and sports resident evil those games were allright some hard some easy but they wernt too much trouble........ for me of course but i like to help in any way i can so that you can beat the games you own so feel free to ask for help but dont ask for barbie games or stuff like that cause i dont play those games action and sports metorid was not a challenge i bet the next game will be better cause i saw it on t.v 2 days ago i guess i cant wait untill it comes out i will buy it and help others beat it.
| Metroid Prime - An Instant Classic | | Matt from Nova Scotia, Canada says (12/Sep/2004): | I watched one of my friends play this over his webcam, and I thought to myself "Hmm... After seeing it, I want it more than ever." So I went out and bought it. The controls take about 20-30 mins to get used to. Without the ingame hint system, this game takes quite a while to beat. You have to use logic, your map, and important information about each area to figure out what exactly to do. The first time I beat it, it took me about 15 hours with the hint system. Now I'm going through on hard without it. The storyline is great, and it reveals a LOT about Samus that I didn't really know. It's not like the traditional side-scroller metroids (which also are great. Loved Super Metroid, Fusion, and Zero Mission) which is good for a change. I normally don't like many fps, but this has a lot of action/adventure in it. The graphics, though I've seen better, are still very good. The gameplay is something different, and the weapon/visor system is cool. I love it. The whole HUD is pretty cool, because it's like what Samus would see. The difficulty is quite high at some parts, and the boss designs are awesome. 10/10. w00t \m/_(>_<)_\m/
| NINTENDOES WHAT NO ONE ELSE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | gameguy from Texas,USA says (22/Jun/2004): | Simply the greatest of the Metroid series to date! The creatures are of complete fantasy, and its puzzles really take a while to accomplish! That is what a good Sci-Fi should be like. Plus the array of weapons and each having their own use is very creative, because you don't use just one to squash everything that moves and to solve puzzles! Graphics I admit the fire can use some work, but it is like you're in the suit instead of Samus,sound is truly amazing because it lets you know there is danger in the room,it lets you know that it is whispering "i am a beautiful, majestic rainforest full of beautiful plants and peaceful animals" or yelling "I am a dangerous lava filled death trap". But most of all I like the freedom to move around the world with no nessasary objectives except survive. That is what seperates this game from Halo and Halo deciphles. The difficulty stays at an excitingly difficult level that suits the challenges well and the overall game is something no one can beat. So stalk up on food that will last you until you die or get tired of it (which won't happen any time soon), drink plenty of caffine, nail and bar off all windows, doors, nooks and crannys, and buckle your seat belt because you are in for a ride that will blow you away trillions of times faster then the speed of sound!!
| Totaly awsome(Also adictive) | | Matt the addicted beginner from Edmonton, Canada says (13/May/2004): | The first and not to mentian best gamecube game I ever got, and I got it free with my gamecube too!!!! The only thing that held me back from rating it 10 out of 10 is that you can't play it if you have never used a gamecube before (Like I did). Wait a bit so you can get used to the controls and other games(It took me 10 months) then try it in a month of playing gamecube. One of the key things that makes this game the bomb, is that its not one of those cheapo games that you go through a level and your done. And the grafics put all other games to shame with different perspectives and (if you noticed on the front cover) Its won an award for best grafics in 2002. It only takes up 2 blocks in your memory card to make 1 file out of 3( most memory cards have about 250 blocks or more). I urge you to buy this game if you don't have it. If its to tough then wait a month or 2 and try it again, and I asure you, your intrest in this game will grow emensly. For those of you that have this game, my opinian is to keep on playing untill you beet hard mode, and then some. I have only reached 38% and I love this game.
| Crazy!!! Game!!! | | A gamer from california, CA says (17/Feb/2004): | When I played this game I got attached to it I played the game soo long that that I vomited twice! (hahahahaha... really I did.) I couldn't stop myself from playing this game i always kept the visor off so it felt like she wasn't wearing her helmet(except the energy gauge). Then I was soo excited when i got the game cube link for the GBA and when i got the fusion suit I felt like she was faster in that suit lol it was cool too. When I beated normal I was determined to beat hard mode and I did. (whew...) Hard mode is sooo hard I lost a couple of times because of the damage increase. (><) When I fought the... I forgot the name I think it was the "Phazon Omega" I had trouble with his minions because I was panicking of my energy guage decreasing so fast!!! Then when i beated the hard mode I had 89% through the whole game I'm trying to get 100% because I knew there was something special at the end, like a different ending. So... all I got was that I unlocked gallery no.3 and I was questioning myself "how do I unlock gallery no.2" but I wasn't sure if my bro already did it...lol
well that's about all i did thanks for listening to m review it's not much because im poor in English...
THANK YOU ^_^
| This game is probably the best game out for Gamcube (EVER!) | | A gamer from Mansfield, Texas/USA says (14/Feb/2004): | The graphics on this game on this game are absolutely breathtaking. I mean when I first saw this game played I was for sure without a doubt blown away at how the designers on the game could create such a realistic looking game. Another thing that amzed me was the fact that the value was so good. I know that most people would complain about paying $50 for a game but on this game I would have paid $80 dollars to have, even though the price is kinda high you get every penny you paid in the extravaganza of the game. The one thing that amused me the most was the fun factor of the game. This game is not a really easy game the kind where you have cheats instead it makes you think and it rewards you for taking that time to think through it, with things such as powerups or new worlds. Anyway the fun factor on this game is a most certain 10. Another thing that makes this game the top notch game that it is is the sound for each world. For example in the Chozo Ruins you have sound which kinda suggests that alot of history and battle had gone on in that world, but for Phazon Mines you have sound that suggests that it is a very dangerous and scary world. I absolutely love the sound on this game. The originality in this game is awesome. I am very glad they didn't copy off of another game instead they made up all the different cultures and worlds, creatures and weapons and armory.
I highly reccomend this game to anybody that enjoys adventure and cliff-hanging suspense.
| Freakin' Awsome | | A gamer from Warrenton, VA says (24/Jan/2004): | This game is definately the best game out for Gamecube right now. The only game that has a chance of being better than it would be Metroid Prime 2. The transition from 2d side-scroller to 3d FPS was flawless, and the control scheme is easy to learn and use, if not perfect. One thing that amazes me is the detail of every aspect of the game. It must have taken years to come up with the many different species of animal and plant life. Being able to scan enemies for their weaknesses makes the game infinately easier and more fun, because you no longer have to waste time, energy, and missles to find a particular enemy's weak spot.
The sound is amazing. the music goes perfectly for every environment, and I often catch myself humming along with the music, instead of paying attention to where I am going. The sound effects are just as good.
Being able to read the chozo lore and Pirate data adds even more depth to the story, as you can learn more about the various experiments the space pirates have conducted on the metroids and themselves, and how the chozo runs came to be, then became ruins.
Overall, this game is aperfect addition to the series, and feezing metroids in first person view brings back good memories of the 8-bit days.
| This game blew me away, Literaly!!!!!!!!!!! | | Jeremy from Procious, West Virginia, USA says (15/Jan/2004): | This game is so awesome i love it, i have beat it several times. The first thing that makes this game so awesome is the morph ball. That thing is so awesome. i have played part 1,3. and metroid fusion, and of course this game. i have never got to play part 2. but anyways back to the game. I love the power suit it looks so awesome. you can really tell retro took there time on this game. And i now they are releasing metroid prime 2 later this year! The reason this game is so awesome is that the graphics and the sound plus the power-ups. the first-person does not bother me on this game. although i hate first-person games. Since this is a nintendo game then it doesnt bother me. My favorite power-up is morph ball, i mean look at how she morphs into it, it looks so cool. There is no down side to this game. And the ending is very cool. It just makes you wonder what part 2 is going to be about but you will find out if you collect 100% of the items which took me forever. i got it about 2 weeks after it came out. and i just found every thing about a month ago. I really recommend this game to people who likes adventures games like me, i love them. so if you want some action than go get this game and just wait til "Metroid Prime 2" comes out it will be as good as the first hopefully, but i dont think retro will let us down so enjoy!!!!!!!!!
| Metroid Prime Review | | A gamer from Texas, USA says (9/Jan/2004): | Amazingly, Retro Studios has created a Metroid game into 3-D. Many Metroid fans were astonished by this feat they were attempting. Many thought that they would fail...
Let's get straight to the point; Metroid Prime is the best Gamecube game yet to date. Even if this game does not contain any of the orininal Metroid themes, this game provides you with a new soundtrack with the highest of quality that will catch the intrest of any gamer; Metroid fan or not.
Controling Samus makes great use of every button on the controller, even the rarely used Z button, which brings up the map. In this game, Samus is very easy to control, even if you are given a first person veiw. Usually, first person games give limited jumping control. Metroid Prime, however, gives you unlimited jumping control. When you tap the B button and hold it, Samusw will tilt downwards, giving you a great veiw of what you're going to land on. When experienced with her jumping controls, you might not have to hold B anymore. Locking on with a weapon or strafing is available. Locking on will give you to power to execute a Dash Jump; a very quick jump firing you sideways from the enemy.
Samus' arsenal has a variety of ways to be used. Samus has the same classic beam weapons; the Power Beam, the Wave Beam, the Ice Beam, and the Plasma Beam. As you progress throught the game, you get the next level beam, each one stonger than that of the previous. One of the major differences in Metroid Prime from its previous versions, is that whenever you collect a beam, you can switch them with another, instead of leaving behind the last one. Simply tilt the C-Control Stick in the desired direction. Also, different doors will be opened with different beams, cutting you from going ahead too far.
The graphics of this game are outstanding. Most fans will easily rate the graphics 10 out of 10. Simply perfect.
Tallon IV is greatly detailed; from the misty Tallon Overworld to the rocky Chozo Ruins. One of the most detailed factors is the defferent visors, which give you a completely different veiw of the world. Thermal vision, even X-Ray vision; all contribute to beating the game.
Metroid Prime lasts forever. It is very addicting and you're constantly finding out new things. Different cracks and crevises are found all over, along with Energy Tanks, and Missile Expansions. Beating the gamewith 100% is truely a difficult task.
The storyline of this game is so amazing. Not once has there been a storyline so unique, that catches any gamer's attention. Scanning all of the data in your Log Book will give you an even better veiw of the game.
Throughout the game, you will experience some crashes. This is becaus you are moving too fast throught a room, and the next room isn't able to load. If you notice, there are no "Loading, Please Wait" or screens like that. This is because the designers programmed the game to load what is ahead of you. This is a very astonishing feature.
Yes, there may be some glitches or crashes in this magnificent game, but you will seriously want to buy it.
| Oooops, forgot a few things, so here they are | | Sean from New York, USA says (17/Dec/2003): | Metroid fans such as myself were scared to death that the fact Metroid
Prime was being produced in 3D, not to mention the perspective change to 1st
person, would completely ruin the series. What a great thing it is to be proven
wrong somtimes. Prime is quite possibly the greatest game ever made, with the
only possible exception being Zelda Ocarina of Time. Everything that made the
previous games so amazing is recreated in a whole new form in Prime. The powerup
driven gamelplay and massive, expanding worlds, and amazing graphics.
The graphics in Prime are amazing. You have never seen graphics like
these before, everything looks photorealistic. The environments are without a
doubt the most atmospheric and true to life ever seen in a video game. Whether
it be an ancient tree growing into a cracking floor, or corrosion on the walls
from centuries of acid easting away at them.By a working machine or lave you can
see heat waves, a nice touch. it sincerely looks as if you could step out of your
door and into the world of Metroid. The environments are hardly the only
graphical standout of the game, there are countless other effects that deserve
the be highlighted. All the living creatures, including Samus herself, look
amazing as well. In the cinima scenes showing Samus, which all use the game
engine, not computer generated, some of the games incredible lighting can be
seen. Samus' suit reflects light from the environment and her eyes can be seen
through the visor. I have heard that Prime 2 will have environmental reflections
in reflective surfaces, such as Samus' suit. Some of the enemies you face look as
if they have come right out of your back yard, and then got much bigger and more
vicious. The space pirates looks great too, their vicious roars and their flaming
eyes will scare the crap out of you the first time you fight non-handicaped ones,
and they are some of the most aggressive enemies ever before seen in a game, they
will attack relentlessly, and they have near perfect aim. Samus' beams and arm
cannon have some nice visual effects too. After extended shooting, heat waves
will pour from the end of the cannon. A charge beam seems to bend time and space
when fired. The 3 elemental beams have an effect while charging as well, the ice
beam will cover the arm cannon in thick ice when being charged, purple
thunderbolts will dance around the cannon, and the plasma beam will open up the
arm cannon and take heat energy from what appears to be lava inside the cannon.
Samus also has several different visors which, next to the environments, could be
the most impressive gaphical feature of the game. The combat visor is your main
fighting visor, the scan visor will be used A LOT to scan objects. When scanned,
some objects will go into your log book, like data of pirate experiments and
plans, and data about the creatures you fight such as their weakness and how they
attack. Besides the log entries, there are countless scannable objects in the
game. A dead pirate that is scanned may reveal how it was killed, such as''this
pirate has suffered severe burns on X% of its body''. These are not necesary, but
are fun to read and can give you info on the areas around you. The thermal visor
is used to see objects that give off heat energy, such as power conducts, energy
floor and barriers, and creatures. Warm objects appear an orange-like color, and
most other objects appear a dark indigo. The visor will also be used to navigate
dark areas, or combat cloaked enemies. Also, the fact that the ice beam appears
black in the thermal visor should also be noted. The x-ray visor is perhaps the
most fun to use in the game, and it also looks cooler than the others. Everything
appears a pale blue or white in this visor. It will mainly be used to spot
invisible or spectral objects, such as destructable walls, and floors, and
invisible enemies and platforms. Another cool visual feature of the x-ray visor
is when Samus is hit hard, she will put her hand in front of her face, and part
of her skeleton can be seen inside an outline of the power suit. There are other
visor effects which dont include a specific visor, such as raindrops splashing
against the visor, lava or water running down it, or blood splattering on it.
Sometimes electrical interference makes the visor scramble, like a TV thats not
picking up a channel, or if Samus is hit by an electric attack, static will flash
around the visor and it will take a few seconds for targeting to start working
again. and each one looks spectacular. Prime's framerate is also flawless, you
will see no slowdown whatsoever while playing, which is incredible seeing the
amaount of action and detail in the game, and its all on one disk. The power of
the Gamecube is truly incredible. The graphics are nearly flawless, if it werent
for a blurry shadow or line on Samus' suit, or a slightly unimpressive explosion,
Prime would be the best looking game out, instead of Wind Waker. And also,
playing in high resolution improves nearly every aspect of the game's graphics.
The graphics are harldy the games strongpoint, it also is blessed with a
perfect control setup. If you are used to a FPS style control setup, like Halo,
than Prime's controls will seem awkward at first, seeing as how Prime is not a
first person shooter, but only for about 10 minutes or so, they are easily picked
up and work unbeleivably well. The L shoulder will be your lock on button, and
you can only strafe when locked on, it also fires the grappling beam, which is
recreated beautifully in prime, and is not even the slightest bit awkward to use.
A dim circle appears around the object that will be targeted, an amazing touch
that should be used in all games that have a targeting system. Not using the
targeting system is foolish, as it will likely get you killed, the enemies in
Prime are ruthless.The R shoulder will stop movement and allow you to look around
the room. the Z button brings up the amazing 3D map, which ever shows hidden
passages that contain powerups. Jumping in most first person games is a
nightmare, not so in Prime. Jumping is done effortlessly. The camera subtly tips
down to show your landing, and it is not even noticed but makes you sure of all
your jumps. Jumping becomes even eisier when the space jump is accuired. The X
button will curl you into morph ball, which is used to lay bombs, activate
switches, and roll throung small areas. The Y button fires missles, and while in
morph ball lays power bombs, which will be used for different tasks. When the
right powerup is gained,missles can even be combines with each of the beam
weapons. The B button performs the marvelous jumping action, which will be used A
LOT, even in combat as dodging is essential to suvival. The A button is most
used, as it fires your equiped beam, and lays boms in morph ball, and when held
charges the beam. The Analogue is used for movement and looking around while R is
held down. The d-pad is used to change visors, and the C stick is used to change
beams.
Prime is one of those games you can play for days on end and never get
sick of it. Whether you are fighting, exploring, finding powerups, or just simply
gazing in awe at the breathtakingly stunning environments, you are always
enjoying the game. Many people say that Prime's biggest flaw is it's lack of a
multiplayer mode. Anybody who says that would be punched, as a Metroid game could
NEVER EVER have a multiplayer feature. The environments are made for exploring
more than combat, and there are no other characters that could be playable except
for Samus, but there is only one of her. Also, the power suit with its advanced,
and necesary targeting system would take all the chalenge out of the game. On top
of that, the control setup would not work in multiplayer, it is more of an
exploration setup that combat.
The game also has substantial replay value as well. With the addition of
a very challenging hard mode, and tons of hidden powerups, Prime will keep you
busy for a long, long time. And even if you have completed hard mode 100%, the
game just never gets old. Even if you are just walking around admiring the
scenery you are still enjoying yourself. Add onto all this 4 unlockable image
galleries that are gained by completing certine tasks, all the scannable data,
the massive amount of enemies, and you have one of the most massive games ever
made.
Prime's sound is also exceptional. It has dolby 5.1 sound support and
sounds great in surround sound. Hearing a beetle jump up behind you will actaully
make you turn around. Whether you play in surround sound or not the sound is
excellent. Even when your not playing in surround sound, it still seems as if you
are. Sound effects will seem to come from different parts of the room, and how
that is possible without surround sound is somthing that can't really be
explained. The music is very fitting, and it fits perfectly with onscreen action.
A melow piano for Phendrana fits in perfectly as snow falls around you and
everything seems so peaceful, even though there are creatures around who want to
tear you to pieces. Some classic metroid songs are also present, the Magmoor
theme from Super Metroid, and the Metroid theme can be heard if you sit in the
artifact temple for a few minutes. What really brings the game to life, as in
many games, are the subtle ambient sounds, such a a creature growling in the
distance, or birds chirping above. Prime has some great ambient sounds, like the
droning of a machine nearby, and the farther away you get, the quieter it gets.
Also, when you shoot your beam into the distance( especially the wave beam) you
can hear the sound fade away as it disappears. The sound cannot really be
described, it must be heard.
One of the many reasons this game is so playable is because of it's
gameplay variety. You are always dooing somthing different, whether it be
fighting, jumping, rolling aroung in morph ball, swinging around on the grappling
hook, ar anything else, you are never doing the same thing for very long. There
is a massive amount of enemies to fight, each with their own stratagy to fight,
own tactics and weak points. There are also many tools to use, such as morph ball
and the grapple beam, missles, bombs, power bombs, the 4 beams each with a combo
that uses missle, the 4 visors and anything I left out.
The way the game is dewsigned is probably it's biggest strong point, and
after playing it, you will wonder if the game was made by some kind of god.
Nothing in Prime feels artificial. though at fisrst, the game feels kinda slow
and linear because there are few areas you can access, that soon changes when you
gain a few abilities. When there is an unreachable platform, you say'' oh, this
platform is unreachable, I'l have to come back to it later, a powerup will soon
come to help make the jump'', not ''those stupid developers put that playform
out of reach so i have to get another stupid powerup'' or you dont just sit there
for hours to try and make the jump. In Prime, you are never made to jump through
hoops. The setup of the was that things resrict your advancement is godly.
Anything that restricts you is mostly a natural part of the environment, such as
roots growing through a pipe or a collapsing ceiling that restrict your access
without morph ball. The incredible, natural setup of the environments, the way
they flow together so smoothly, the amount of detail put into them, all the
different creatures, and the fact theat the game is in 1st person actaully make
you feel, more than any other game in history, that you are the person you are
controling, in this case Samus.
There is no way of seeing this game as anything other than a godly
masterpiece, seeing it differently is only being shortsighted, and can be
describes as nothing but an ugly lie. There is no reason whatsoever not to own
this game, if you dont have it, get it now, if you dont have a Gamecube, get one,
thsi game just adds to the list of reasons to get one. Even if you have never
played a metroid game before, there has never been a better time to step in and
be swollowed by the vastness and amazement of the series, and if you are a
metroid fan, this game is absolute bliss.
| Absolute Bliss | | Sean from new york USA says (13/Dec/2003): | Metroid fans such as myself were scared to death that the fact Metroid Prime was being produced in 3D, not to mention the perspective change to 1st person, would completely ruin the series. What a great thing it is to be proven wrong somtimes. Prime is quite possibly the greatest game ever made, with the only possible exception being Zelda Ocarina of Time. Everything that made the previous games so amazing is recreated in a whole new form in Prime. The powerup driven gamelplay and massive, expanding worlds, and amazing graphics.
The graphics in Prime are amazing. You have never seen graphics like these before, everything looks photorealistic. The environments are without a doubt the most atmospheric and true to life ever seen in a video game. Whether it be an ancient tree growing into a cracking floor, or corrosion on the walls from centuries of acid easting away at them, it sincerely looks as if you could step out of your door and into the world of Metroid. The environments are hardly the only graphical standout of the game, there are countless other effects that deserve the be highlighted. All the living creatures, including Samus herself, look amazing as well. In the cinima scenes showing Samus, which all use the game engine, not computer generated, some of the games incredible lighting can be seen. Samus' suit reflects light from the environment and her eyes can be seen through the visor. I have heard that Prime 2 will have environmental reflections in reflective surfaces, such as Samus' suit. Some of the enemies you face look as if they have come right out of your back yard, and then got much bigger and more vicious. The space pirates looks great too, their vicious roars and their flaming eyes will scare the crap out of you the first time you fight non-handicaped ones, and they are some of the most aggressive enemies ever before seen in a game, they will attack relentlessly, and they have near perfect aim. Samus' beams and arm cannon have some nice visual effects too. A charge beam seems to bend time and space when fired. The 3 elemental beams have an effect while charging as well, the ice beam will cover the arm cannon in thick ice when being charged, purple thunderbolts will dance around the cannon, and the plasma beam will open up the arm cannon and take heat energy from what appears to be lava inside the cannon. Samus also has several different visors which, next to the environments, could be the most impressive gaphical feature of the game. The combat visor is your main fighting visor, the scan visor will be used A LOT to scan objects. When scanned, some objects will go into your log book, like data of pirate experiments and plans, and data about the creatures you fight such as their weakness and how they attack. Besides the log entries, there are countless scannable objects in the game. A dead pirate that is scanned may reveal how it was killed, such as''this pirate has suffered severe burns on X% of its body''. These are not necesary, but are fun to read and can give you info on the areas around you. The thermal visor is used to see objects that give off heat energy, such as power conducts, energy floor and barriers, and creatures. Warm objects appear an orange-like color, and most other objects appear a dark indigo. The visor will also be used to navigate dark areas, or combat cloaked enemies. Also, the fact that the ice beam appears black in the thermal visor should also be noted. The x-ray visor is perhaps the most fun to use in the game, and it also looks cooler than the others. Everything appears a pale blue or white in this visor. It will mainly be used to spot invisible or spectral objects, such as destructable walls, and floors, and invisible enemies and platforms. Another cool visual feature of the x-ray visor is when Samus is hit hard, she will put her hand in front of her face, and part of her skeleton can be seen inside an outline of the power suit. There are other visor effects which dont include a specific visor, such as raindrops splashing against the visor, lava or water running down it, or blood splattering on it, and each one looks spectacular. Prime's framerate is also flawless, you will see no slowdown whatsoever while playing, which is incredible seeing the amaount of action and detail in the game, and its all on one disk. The power of the Gamecube is truly incredible. The graphics are nearly flawless, if it werent for a blurry shadow or line on Samus' suit, or a slightly unimpressive explosion, Prime would be the best looking game out, instead of Wind Waker.
The graphics are harldy the games strongpoint, it also is blessed with a perfect control setup. If you are used to a FPS style control setup, like Halo, than Prime's controls will seem awkward at first, seeing as how Prime is not a first person shooter, but only for about 10 minutes or so, they are easily picked up and work unbeleivably well. The L shoulder will be your lock on button, and you can only strafe when locked on, it also fires the grappling beam, which is recreated beautifully in prime, and is not even the slightest bit awkward to use. A dim circle appears around the object that will be targeted, an amazing touch that should be used in all games that have a targeting system. Not using the targeting system is foolish, as it will likely get you killed, the enemies in Prime are ruthless.The R shoulder will stop movement and allow you to look around the room. the Z button brings up the amazing 3D map, which ever shows hidden passages that contain powerups. Jumping in most first person games is a nightmare, not so in Prime. Jumping is done effortlessly. The camera subtly tips down to show your landing, and it is not even noticed but makes you sure of all your jumps. Jumping becomes even eisier when the space jump is accuired. The X button will curl you into morph ball, which is used to lay bombs, activate switches, and roll throung small areas. The Y button fires missles, and while in morph ball lays power bombs, which will be used for different tasks. When the right powerup is gained,missles can even be combines with each of the beam weapons. The B button performs the marvelous jumping action, which will be used A LOT, even in combat as dodging is essential to suvival. The A button is most used, as it fires your equiped beam, and lays boms in morph ball, and when held charges the beam. The Analogue is used for movement and looking around while R is held down. The d-pad is used to change visors, and the C stick is used to change beams.
Prime is one of those games you can play for days on end and never get sick of it. Whether you are fighting, exploring, finding powerups, or just simply gazing in awe at the breathtakingly stunning environments, you are always enjoying the game. Many people say that Prime's biggest flaw is it's lack of a multiplayer mode. Anybody who says that would be punched, as a Metroid game could NEVER EVER have a multiplayer feature. The environments are made for exploring more than combat, and there are no other characters that could be playable except for Samus, but there is only one of her. Also, the power suit with its advanced, and necesary targeting system would take all the chalenge out of the game. On top of that, the control setup would not work in multiplayer, it is more of an exploration setup that combat.
The game also has substantial replay value as well. With the addition of a very challenging hard mode, and tons of hidden powerups, Prime will keep you busy for a long, long time. And even if you have completed hard mode 100%, the game just never gets old. Even if you are just walking around admiring the scenery you are still enjoying yourself. Add onto all this 4 unlockable image galleries that are gained by completing certine tasks, all the scannable data, the massive amount of enemies, and you have one of the most massive games ever made.
One of the many reasons this game is so playable is because of it's gameplay variety. You are always dooing somthing different, whether it be fighting, jumping, rolling aroung in morph ball, swinging around on the grappling hook, ar anything else, you are never doing the same thing for very long. There is a massive amount of enemies to fight, each with their own stratagy to fight, own tactics and weak points. There are also many tools to use, such as morph ball and the grapple beam, missles, bombs, power bombs, the 4 beams each with a combo that uses missle, the 4 visors and anything I left out.
The way the game is dewsigned is probably it's biggest strong point, and after playing it, you will wonder if the game was made by some kind of god. Nothing in Prime feels artificial. though at fisrst, the game feels kinda slow and linear because there are few areas you can access, that soon changes when you gain a few abilities. When there is an unreachable platform, you say'' oh, this platform is unreachable, I'l have to come back to it later, a powerup will soon come to help make the jump'', not ''those stupid developers put that playform out of reach so i have to get another stupid powerup'' or you dont just sit there for hours to try and make the jump. In Prime, you are never made to jump through hoops. The setup of the was that things resrict your advancement is godly. Anything that restricts you is mostly a natural part of the environment, such as roots growing through a pipe or a collapsing ceiling that restrict your access without morph ball. The incredible, natural setup of the environments, the way they flow together so smoothly, the amount of detail put into them, all the different creatures, and the fact theat the game is in 1st person actaully make you feel, more than any other game in history, that you are the person you are controling, in this case Samus.
There is no way of seeing this game as anything other than a godly masterpiece, seeing it differently is only being shortsighted, and can be describes as nothing but an ugly lie. There is no reason whatsoever not to own this game, if you dont have it, get it now, if you dont have a Gamecube, get one, thsi game just adds to the list of reasons to get one. Even if you have never played a metroid game before, there has never been a better time to step in and be swollowed by the vastness and amazement of the series, and if you are a metroid fan, this game is absolute bliss. If you disagree, tell me why and I will be glad to make you sound like a moron.
| THe best game in the history of gaming!!! | | A gamer from Ft.Oglethorp,Georgia,USA says (28/Nov/2003): | In the game you play as Samus Aran(bootie kicker).When you let the game sit for about five minutes and it turns into a third person view and she takes off her helmet for about ten seconds and she goes to sleep.It is pretty cool.I know you would like it!!!Over all the fusion suit comes witha wicked weapon.It is called the fusion beam.it is a fast beam.REALLY!!!It thros beams of space pirate blood.Overall it is a cool game.
| THIS GAME SUCKS | | metroidprimeisgay from New york, new york, united States says (28/Nov/2003): | this game sucks so bad! it is so amazingly boring, like jeeze i can't beleive it, like you waste your time doing stupid things and like..it just sucks overall. like come on, ya i could admit the graphics are ok but the game is just so dumb. what else can you say about it? no wonder they give it to you for free when you buy a gamecube, cause it sucks horse $#< remove me > at !!!!
| Best game ever!! | | Gamer from WA , USA says (27/Nov/2003): | Metroid Prime is by far one of the greatest games ever. This game should win the best graphics award, if there is one. The morph ball is so fine in detail it makes a basketball look fake, if that's even possible... The music is unbelievable too. Even the music in the start menu is amazing. I give this game a 10/10 because it has everything a "perfect" game is supposed to have, and more! Graphics, Music, Plot, Originality, Gameplay and fun factor are above perfect. It will keep you entertained weeks. Then when you finally beat it, you'll play it again on a different difficulty. If nintendo does ever come out with Metroid 2, they should make the game longer. The plot, graphics, weapons, environments, and bosses were beyond amazing, but I think all of you could agree with me that if they made a second game with twice as many weapons, twice as many bosses, and even more new levels/environments, it would be the greatest thing to happen to video game history. Until then, let's just hope they refrain from making more games like Mario Sunshine, which was a big disappointment.
| it stink | | A gamer from Denver,USA says (15/Nov/2003): | It stinks because you do the same thing over n' over again! The graphics {I have to admit} are the best, but other than that it is a boring game! BORING BORING BORING BORING!!lame lame lame lame lame! Who came up with it ?????? I don't care what you sait is boring and lame!!
| AMAZING!!!!!! go and buy it | | A gamer says (30/Oct/2003): | I had heard about metroid prime and how amazing it was before it came out and i thought it was a load of hype. So after about 6 months i went an bought it and itttts amazzin.I love how you find out the story through your log book and the replay value of the game is amazin. My fav area is the ice area as the graphic are sweet. The powerups are amazin and the morph ball is the best bit of the game.The graphics are lush and it just plain fun. When you die you want to play again. At the start, its easy but after a while its so hard you thinkin wherre do i go know and have do think do i have a sitable powerup for that part.BEST GAME I HAVE EVER PLAYED. ADDICTIVE. GO AND BUY IT NOW
| this game is awesome | | A gamer from madisonville kentucky usa says (24/Oct/2003): | This game is awersome!!!! Who ever came up with the fist person idea is great,it works perfect for this game!!!!! Not to mention the awesome graphics it has.Samus's new look in four all new suits is pretty cool too.All the bosses and monsters on the game are pretty cool ecspecily META RIDLY!!!!!!
| METROID PRIME IS THE BEST GAME TO HIT GAMECUBE!!! | | Anthony Filipas from Oregon, USA says (18/Oct/2003): | Metriod Prime is one of my best games I have. I send hours and hours playing Prime, and I never get tired. I also liked Samus when she was in games like "Super Smash Bros. Melee" and her Game Boy Advace games such as "Metroid Fusion", but Prime beats them all. I was shocked to see the awsome graphics! WOW! The graphics on Samus, Tallon IV, her weapons, everything! And I couldn't believe that it was such a tiny disc. The adventure mode is sweet. Like shooting down those monsters, and Space Pirates, and also forming into a Morph Ball, and blow everything up! Overall, Metriod Prime is the greatest Samus game there is, and will always be!
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