Metroid: Other M Review

Replay/Extras Features: There’s plenty of concept/line art, new cinematic sequences unlock as you play through the game and they (the cinematic sequences) are of a very high quality, visually a true standout among Nintendo titles. After collecting 100% of the items you unlock hard mode.

Gameplay/Targeted Audience: Fans of the series’ roots, and those looking for a twist on the traditional Metroid experience. Storytelling of the game bridges the gaps in the canon of the Metroid storyline between Super Metroid (Metroid 3) and Metroid Fusion (Metroid 4). The story does fill in much of what happens in between games. The game-play is faster and more akin to games on the GBA with more guided storytelling/action based gameplay, only using the Wii- Mote for FPS view and traditional NES side-scrolling action/plat forming. The FPS view works well for the most part, aside from the pixel-hunting quests, that are by FAR the weakest parts of the game, where you literally can spend anywhere from five minutes to half an hour trying to find the darn thing that the game “expects” you to find almost instantly. That said, on a few (thankfully few)“pixel-hunting scenes” that I played through.That while I found it hard to find the “pixel” needed to move on while playing the game, to those watching me play the game, they seemed to find this “pixel” faster (and arguably easier) than me. In retrospect to those few sequences, perhaps its partially an individual experience, in that perhaps others playing the game found this much easier, or that those playing are too focused to notice. I don’t know for certain but it was an annoying element in an otherwise very enjoyable experience. The only other places where the game dragged a bit were places where the game would lag to load an area ahead.

Thankfully, these instances were few and you can definitely hear the Wii engine working hard throughout the game. The one other bummer somewhat, is that you don’t have access to your more powerful weapons because you are ordered not to use them, there could be a few reasons for this, but none (except the power bomb) are really given explicitly within the game itself so this is a bit of a bummer as well. That said, its not as though you won’t pick up new powers in this game, or that you will have to follow orders forever, or that you will. To sum up the gameplay, this is NOT a game for FPS fanatics, and those who favour the slow paced, subtle story-telling(or story-less altogether), and more methodical gameplay that many are accustomed to from the prime series… DEAL WITH IT!

Bosses from other games in the franchise make an appearance in this game, along with a fair amount of new ones to battle as well. The difficulty is just about right, there are some spots that will seem difficult at first but as with just enough perseverance they can, and will, be overcome. For those who find the game too easy on their first play through, playing the game on hard mode should prove challenging enough for most gamers (a hint for what hard mode entails, think of the Super Metroid, and GBA games where you have to complete the game with minimal weapon and health expansion, which is why the dodge mechanic exists in this game and is much like Muramasa in a sense).

Summary/Closing Comments: One of the best games of 2010 in my opinion, and of the best games released on the Wii (or any console of that year). Indeed was, perhaps, one of the biggest risks taken in delving into the story of an established albeit mysterious icon franchise for Nintendo, or any other company, in 2010 (one of the others being Capcom and Nintendo releasing Tatsunoko VS Capcom to the world outside of Japan, “thanks again for bringing that game to light outside of Japan”). Not to mention (Nintendo) working in co-operation with another company and allowing said company (Team Ninja) access to one of your most valuable franchise characters, and for a main series game as well. Essentially, if I could create an analogy here’s how it would go. Nintendo (the very protective parent) letting a respected acquaintance of yours go out on a date with one of your most accomplished daughters, (or insert sister, close friend, favourite car etc. here) on the basis that you hope both will benefit from the experience that ensues. For the most part, I find that the work, or the ride, from this duo has been most enjoyable indeed.

Ratings
Graphics: 9.5/10
Sound: 9/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Story: 8/10
Replay Value: 7/10
Overall Rating: 9/10