Google
      Screens: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

_________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            
Text Box:   Metroid Prime 3:  Corruption (Wii)   Originally set at being a launch title for the Wii (pfft... like that was going to happen), Metroid Prime 3 is finally here. The wait has been long (especially long for us PAL gamers), but has it been worth it? Does the game control like cack or is it a revolution in console shooters? Since this is a review of this game, it would be remiss of me not to answer these questions, so read on... Metroid Prime 3: Corruption follows in the footsteps of Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, both released on GameCube and developed by Retro Studios. Though turning over a loved Nintendo franchise to a Western developer was initially viewed with a good deal of scepticism, Retro came good and delivered two of the finest games of the last generation, straddling genres and bringing the Metroid series into 3D with aplomb. If you’ve never played these two games, I would suggest picking them up (backwards compatibility for the win!) before launching into MP3.  MP3 is a continuation of the gameplay found in previous games, with a few new additions to keep things fresh along with possibly the most talked about new feature, the control system (more on this in a bit). The story once again involves the highly dangerous substance phazon, which has been infecting other planets and their species. The Federation (a galactic governing body of sorts) has bought in a bunch of bounty hunters (including Samus Aran) to investigate and deal with the issue. Everyone is briefed at a Federation-controlled station, and, as you could probably guess, things go downhill from there. Although being surrounded by a bunch of characters you don’t know or care about may seem like an odd and disconcerting choice for a Metroid game (and it is, since Metroid is typically about isolation and Samus doing her own thing), after the first couple of hours this problem goes away and it’s back to Metroid as usual, more or less. As with previous Prime games, the bulk of the story is discovered through scanning the environment – leaving how much story is told up to the diligence of the player. Though more cutscenes are implemented than previously (complete with voice acting), after the opening levels, the story telling is pretty much classic Prime, and Samus herself remains silent (but deadly......... sorry), as usual. Simply put, the new controls are fantastic. Utilising a similar set up to the mouse/keyboard scheme, the Wiimote is used to move your target about the screen and rotate Samus’ view, while the analogue stick on the nunchuck is used to strafe and move forwards and backwards. The enemy lock-on from previous games is still present, however this time the camera locks onto to a specific enemy while you can move the crosshair around the screen, picking out weak points and the like. This works wonderfully during the many action-packed battles, and the boss battles – which are great fun. The nunchuck is also used as Samus’ grapple beam. By casting the nunchuck forward at grappleable (it’s a word now) points, Samus will launch the grapple beam out. This can be done on enemies shields as well, allowing you to cast out the beam, then pull back to rip your opponent’s shield from their hands. This is enormously satisfying and really helps you feel involved in the game. Even mundane tasks such as pushing a button or pulling a lever are made enjoyable by incorporating Wiimote actions mimicking what Samus would have to perform. As I said before, this all adds up to you, as the player, feeling much more involved in Samus’ actions and much more like you ARE Samus (but don’t go groping yourself, fanboys!). These are the best console first-person controls out there, and the closest that consoles have ever come to rivalling the mouse/keyboard set-up. Another new feature to the series is the ability for Samus to use ‘Hypermode’ at will. Early in the game, after an attack from an old friend, Samus acquires the ability to produce phazon by herself. In an effort to control and utilise this, Samus is equipped with a new suit that allows her to enter into Hypermode – a powered up state that allows her to inflict more damage at the cost of one of her energy tanks. While in Hypermode, Samus also runs the risk of overdosing on phazon (if she remains in the mode for too long or is hit by phazon-based enemy attacks) and becoming corrupted herself (look at the game’s subtitle people!). To avoid this, she must rapidly fire her weapon to discharge the phazon build-up. Despite the inherent risks in its use, many boss battles require use of this ability, and this adds a degree of tension to them as you sacrifice your health to damage the enemy. The game also features other Metroid staples you know and love such as missile/health expansions, fantastic level design and a unique yet compelling soundtrack. Samus starts with a few more abilities than usual (charge beam, morph ball bombs and double jump are available from the outset), and there are a few new abilities to be found in the game. It would have been nice to find some more original power-ups, as opposed to repeating old favourites, but I guess then people would complain about the omissions.  Beams are also now stacked on top of each other, as opposed to being separate choices, which seems to be an attempt at simplifying things. Personally, I would have preferred the choice between beams, since I thought this added greater depth in combat in previous games, however this is not a big issue and does help to streamline the gameplay. There are very few substantial downsides to MP3. The games controls, while mostly brilliant, can still be frustrating at times. The turn speed is just too slow sometimes (mainly during heated battles). Also loading times can be annoying - you can end up waiting 5 or so seconds for a door to open. This is a minimal problem, but being low on energy running through a series of rooms trying to avoid enemies to get to a save point isn’t really an option. I used these spare seconds before the opening of doors to play my own minigame – how many times can I shoot this door before it will open? These problems, however, are minor in the grand scheme of things and don’t detract from the game on the whole. Metroid Prime 3 is just a fantastic game and, more importantly for Nintendo, it is a Wii-exclusive that demands the platform and the unique control scheme be taken seriously. In the face of a wave of dodgy ports and Wiimote-waggling party games, Metroid is something the Wii sorely needs. While the controls still don’t quite match the quality of the keyboard/mouse set-up for first-person games, it is easily the best console set-up ever devised and works wonderfully. You’ll wonder how you ever got by using dual analogue sticks. However controls would not make a fantastic game if the gameplay was donkey poop – fortunately, MP3 continues the Metroid series in fine fashion and plays wonderfully. All serious Wii owners need this game, but if you’re looking for a game for your little sister or your gran, maybe go with Mario Party instead.  By watchers_eye                                                           

                                                                                                                                                          

 

                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                              

Text Box:     Graphics: A Fantastic art direction, as with the other Prime titles, helps the                         game hold its own up against the HD rivals on other platforms.   Sound: A Fantastic music (as always) really sets the mood, and the sound                           effects are also well done.   Gameplay: A+ Fantastic. The best first-person experience I’ve had on    console ever. Everything is just highly enjoyable.   Overall: A+   The best Wii game since Zelda – a must have for any Wii owner and proof positive that the Wiimote can be used for more than just crappy minigames. Third party developers take note!   What have you got to say? Say it in the forum, and get feedback direct from the reviewer!    
read more