Ultima Thulian
09-14-2007, 10:23 PM
Spoiler Free!
Title: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
ESRB Rating: Teen
Retail Price: $49.95
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Retro Studios
Reviewer: Ultima Thulian
-Review-
The first two titles in the Metroid series are kinda like Pablo Picasso paintings. They were beloved by both critics and hardcore fans alike, but to many "casual" folks, they were a bit hard to fully understand and appreciate. Sure, the first two Prime titles proved that Retro Studios could indeed bring Samus Aran into three dimensions successfully, but the battle was not an easy one because Retro Studios had to cram both a first-person title and a Metroid title all onto the Gamecube controller, which is arguably not a controller well suited to either endeavor. Now, fast-forward a few years later with a new Nintendo console with a completely new control scheme, and Retro Studios is now given a fresh chance to bring the Prime trilogy to an epic close. And Retro Studios does just that.
Obviously, the control scheme will be the key focal point here, as it was for the first Prime for the now deceased Gamecube. The main issue with the GCN control setup was it's lack of dual-analog control. In the first two Prime titles, the player would have to manipulate the camera by stoping their movement and use the 'R' shoulder button. Add this to the heaping amount of different command functions were mapped to the controller, and what you got was a very cumbersome setup that didn't allow for smooth play. Thankfully, the Wii controls prove to have the opposite effect. Aiming/shooting is as simple as pointing at the screen and pressing a button. Users manipulate on-screen movement via the analog stick on the "nunchuck" and other functions are mapped out smartly for ease of use. The result is kinda like a mix of dual-analog and mouse 'n keyboard FPS controls with a Metroid twist. And while not as precise as the mouse 'n keyboard, Corruption's setup comes pretty close and in this author's opinion, trumps most setups seen on console FPSs. In Corruption, actions are smooth and easy to input, and within an hour become second nature. However, hardcore fans will be pleased to hear that this much more user-friendly setup didn't come at the expense of depth either.
Of course, Prime vets will tell you that calling this series an FPS is a mistake. And they'd still be right. However, everything is much more streamlined now. Whereas the first two Primes felt like equal (but seperate) parts FPS, adventure, and puzzle, Corruption makes the whole scheme feel whole. The developer put a lot of care and effort into creating a steady pace throughout the game, and did so by intelligently putting gunplay, exploration, and puzzles in proper place, and mixed the trio with grace. The result is what you saw with the first two Primes without the fat.
But to simply call Aran's latest typical Prime with better controls is a bit unfair. For one, Corruption is part of a trilogy. And lastly, Retro did a hell of a job using all of it's resources to introduce freshness into series while at the sametime bringing things to a fine polish. Nowhere is the more evident in the new, visceral feel that is felt in every facet of the game, particuarly the combat. For example, in my battle with a group of Space Pirates, I used my grappling hook to rip a shield from my opponent's hands (this is all done via the nunchuck). The effect is surprisingly stimulating and really gets you into the combat. Even more surprising was how this same effect took hold in puzzle solving and exploration. For example, when inside Samus Aran's ship, the Wiimote is used to manipulate and push all the levers and buttons within. Sure, it sounds like a very simple touch (and it is), but it's also incredibly effective in making you feel as if you were Samus. And trust me, it's a pretty sweet feeling.
http://pressthebuttons.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/22/metroid3.jpg
Speaking of Samus's ship, it plays a much bigger role this time around. For example, if you're in an open area, you may be able to summon your ship to lay down a volley of death onto your enemies. The effect, needless to say, is quite satisfying. And thank your lucky morphballs that Corruption didn't take the Kingdom Hearts or Lunar Knights route and force players to engage in mundane space combat. Instead, the ship is used for things this series excels at: puzzles, exploration, and blowing stuff up. And in case you were wondering, the game is easily the best both in graphics and sound design for the Wii. Corruption won't make you forget Bioshock's visuals, but for a Wii game, Corruption holds its own pretty damn well.
Of course, not everything is perfect, even if this game does come close. As with any trilogy, the game does suffer from deja vu, though the developer did a hell of a job creating varied and detailed worlds and galaxies for the player to explore. In fact, the variety and craftmanship displayed easily dwarfs what was seen in previous Prime titles. Despite this, vets may get that "been there, done that" feeling during play. Also, I found using the '+' and '-' minus buttons to be sometimes difficult. They are both small and near the home button, and it can be easy to accidentally use the wrong action accidentally. But perhaps my biggest complaint is the game's difficulty. Nearly every aspect about Corruption seems simpler and easier than its predecessors. Granted, part of that comes from better control scheme, but a part of that stems from the developer's choice as well. So Prime vets may be a bit underwhelmed, especially considering that the 'Veteran' difficulty just basically means you take more damage (the enemy A.I. is the same as it was in the first Prime titles: brute force over intelligence). However, the boss battles are much improved and most provide the needed challenge. This is not to say the game is a cakewalk. In fact, it's far from it, but Metroid vets have likely braved fiercer storms.
Some may also lament on lack of multiplayer, but I feel the focus on the single player to be a wise move. That's not to say that Metroid can't do multiplayer (Hunters proved it could), but a focus on adventure is what the series needed. Perhaps a Wii Metroid devoted to just multiplayer should be in order, but I'm quite satisfied with the meaty single player game. And like other Primes before it, Corruption has plenty of hidden secrets and unlockables.
Folks, what you see here is a developer that took every single thing it's learned, improved upon that, and put it's entire being into making sure the Prime trilogy ended in a manner deserving of a legendary series. I'm glad to say the succeeded. For the mature Wii gamer looking for depth and polish, they need look further. Samus is here. And she's got balls.
Pros:
+ Great graphics and art direction
+ Excellent level variety
+ Streamlined, user-friendly controls
+ Excellent gunplay and puzzles
+ Improved Boss battles
+ Subtle but clever interactions lend to a visceral feel
Cons:
- Vets may find easier difficulty to be disappointing
- Some may lament over lack of multiplayer
- Use of the smaller Wiimote buttons may cause frustration
- Suffers somewhat from Deja Vu
Bottom Line: A must-have purchase for any gamer looking for a complex but smooth title for the Wii. Polished to a mirror sheen, Corruption is a fitting end for the Prime trilogy and should service fans quite well.
Title: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
ESRB Rating: Teen
Retail Price: $49.95
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Retro Studios
Reviewer: Ultima Thulian
-Review-
The first two titles in the Metroid series are kinda like Pablo Picasso paintings. They were beloved by both critics and hardcore fans alike, but to many "casual" folks, they were a bit hard to fully understand and appreciate. Sure, the first two Prime titles proved that Retro Studios could indeed bring Samus Aran into three dimensions successfully, but the battle was not an easy one because Retro Studios had to cram both a first-person title and a Metroid title all onto the Gamecube controller, which is arguably not a controller well suited to either endeavor. Now, fast-forward a few years later with a new Nintendo console with a completely new control scheme, and Retro Studios is now given a fresh chance to bring the Prime trilogy to an epic close. And Retro Studios does just that.
Obviously, the control scheme will be the key focal point here, as it was for the first Prime for the now deceased Gamecube. The main issue with the GCN control setup was it's lack of dual-analog control. In the first two Prime titles, the player would have to manipulate the camera by stoping their movement and use the 'R' shoulder button. Add this to the heaping amount of different command functions were mapped to the controller, and what you got was a very cumbersome setup that didn't allow for smooth play. Thankfully, the Wii controls prove to have the opposite effect. Aiming/shooting is as simple as pointing at the screen and pressing a button. Users manipulate on-screen movement via the analog stick on the "nunchuck" and other functions are mapped out smartly for ease of use. The result is kinda like a mix of dual-analog and mouse 'n keyboard FPS controls with a Metroid twist. And while not as precise as the mouse 'n keyboard, Corruption's setup comes pretty close and in this author's opinion, trumps most setups seen on console FPSs. In Corruption, actions are smooth and easy to input, and within an hour become second nature. However, hardcore fans will be pleased to hear that this much more user-friendly setup didn't come at the expense of depth either.
Of course, Prime vets will tell you that calling this series an FPS is a mistake. And they'd still be right. However, everything is much more streamlined now. Whereas the first two Primes felt like equal (but seperate) parts FPS, adventure, and puzzle, Corruption makes the whole scheme feel whole. The developer put a lot of care and effort into creating a steady pace throughout the game, and did so by intelligently putting gunplay, exploration, and puzzles in proper place, and mixed the trio with grace. The result is what you saw with the first two Primes without the fat.
But to simply call Aran's latest typical Prime with better controls is a bit unfair. For one, Corruption is part of a trilogy. And lastly, Retro did a hell of a job using all of it's resources to introduce freshness into series while at the sametime bringing things to a fine polish. Nowhere is the more evident in the new, visceral feel that is felt in every facet of the game, particuarly the combat. For example, in my battle with a group of Space Pirates, I used my grappling hook to rip a shield from my opponent's hands (this is all done via the nunchuck). The effect is surprisingly stimulating and really gets you into the combat. Even more surprising was how this same effect took hold in puzzle solving and exploration. For example, when inside Samus Aran's ship, the Wiimote is used to manipulate and push all the levers and buttons within. Sure, it sounds like a very simple touch (and it is), but it's also incredibly effective in making you feel as if you were Samus. And trust me, it's a pretty sweet feeling.
http://pressthebuttons.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/22/metroid3.jpg
Speaking of Samus's ship, it plays a much bigger role this time around. For example, if you're in an open area, you may be able to summon your ship to lay down a volley of death onto your enemies. The effect, needless to say, is quite satisfying. And thank your lucky morphballs that Corruption didn't take the Kingdom Hearts or Lunar Knights route and force players to engage in mundane space combat. Instead, the ship is used for things this series excels at: puzzles, exploration, and blowing stuff up. And in case you were wondering, the game is easily the best both in graphics and sound design for the Wii. Corruption won't make you forget Bioshock's visuals, but for a Wii game, Corruption holds its own pretty damn well.
Of course, not everything is perfect, even if this game does come close. As with any trilogy, the game does suffer from deja vu, though the developer did a hell of a job creating varied and detailed worlds and galaxies for the player to explore. In fact, the variety and craftmanship displayed easily dwarfs what was seen in previous Prime titles. Despite this, vets may get that "been there, done that" feeling during play. Also, I found using the '+' and '-' minus buttons to be sometimes difficult. They are both small and near the home button, and it can be easy to accidentally use the wrong action accidentally. But perhaps my biggest complaint is the game's difficulty. Nearly every aspect about Corruption seems simpler and easier than its predecessors. Granted, part of that comes from better control scheme, but a part of that stems from the developer's choice as well. So Prime vets may be a bit underwhelmed, especially considering that the 'Veteran' difficulty just basically means you take more damage (the enemy A.I. is the same as it was in the first Prime titles: brute force over intelligence). However, the boss battles are much improved and most provide the needed challenge. This is not to say the game is a cakewalk. In fact, it's far from it, but Metroid vets have likely braved fiercer storms.
Some may also lament on lack of multiplayer, but I feel the focus on the single player to be a wise move. That's not to say that Metroid can't do multiplayer (Hunters proved it could), but a focus on adventure is what the series needed. Perhaps a Wii Metroid devoted to just multiplayer should be in order, but I'm quite satisfied with the meaty single player game. And like other Primes before it, Corruption has plenty of hidden secrets and unlockables.
Folks, what you see here is a developer that took every single thing it's learned, improved upon that, and put it's entire being into making sure the Prime trilogy ended in a manner deserving of a legendary series. I'm glad to say the succeeded. For the mature Wii gamer looking for depth and polish, they need look further. Samus is here. And she's got balls.
Pros:
+ Great graphics and art direction
+ Excellent level variety
+ Streamlined, user-friendly controls
+ Excellent gunplay and puzzles
+ Improved Boss battles
+ Subtle but clever interactions lend to a visceral feel
Cons:
- Vets may find easier difficulty to be disappointing
- Some may lament over lack of multiplayer
- Use of the smaller Wiimote buttons may cause frustration
- Suffers somewhat from Deja Vu
Bottom Line: A must-have purchase for any gamer looking for a complex but smooth title for the Wii. Polished to a mirror sheen, Corruption is a fitting end for the Prime trilogy and should service fans quite well.