Prime Concerns
Today’s topic is the Metroid Prime series – particularly the first game. I’ve been a long-time fan of the Metroid series (I own Metroid 2… and probably 6 different versions of the original game for the GBA, in one form of extra or another), so when Metroid Prime came out, I was interested.
Then I found out it was a first person shooter, and I was dubious… especially since it was a first-person shooter on the Nintendo GameCube, of all things!
Then I played it… and found that it was as much survival horror game as first person shooter. This game, through lighting, sound design, and tight design of monsters and plot both, works better as a horror game than Doom 3 does, in my humble opinion. I’d *like* to say that I’m not telling anybody anything new… but, unfortunately, given the sales of the GameCube I probably am.
The graphics design of this game is beautiful, along with the sound and level design. There is a certain amount of frustration likely to happen in the usual Metroid method of “can’t reach the goodies until I have the new weapon, then I have to backtrack to get it,” but that’s par for the course with Metroid, and you’ll generally stay interested long enough to get there, especially with the help of the mapping system. It can get a little annoying, but there are ways around it. What’s really worthwhile is making your way through, picking up Samus’ new gear, and navigating the plotline… and the world you’re in.
Scan everything at least once – it’s well worth your while.
This game is also a good entry for people new to the FPS, or generally uncomfortable with the aim issues often had in similar games. The best part – if you’ve got a Wii, you can play it, and even if you don’t, an old Game Cube and this title will probably only cost you about as much as a new video game these days.
Toss Metroid Prime 2 into the mix too – again, it’s worth it, though I think it’s a weaker title than the original. However, it ramps up the survival horror elements, and introduces a light world/dark world aspect that adds entirely new levels of strategy to ammo management and getting around.
Give both games a try – eventually, go ahead and move on to a Wii and Corruption, though I haven’t played that title yet. You’re not likely to regret the decision (or going back to the original games afterwards).
