By Matthew Scott Hunter
‘Metroid: Other M’ (T)
***
The feel of a vintage game
Nintendo
Wii
Samus Aran finally speaks! Unfortunately, what she says is that some intergalactic bounty hunters are better seen than heard. At least, that’s the gist of what I got from her stilted, monotone delivery. “Other M” is a departure in many ways from the established formula of the formerly mysterious bounty hunter. Heavy exploration and backtracking have been replaced with a very linear quest, and the sense of isolation is lost, thanks to frequent appearances by various gun-toting colleagues. Weapon acquisition has changed as well. Instead of gathering upgrades as you go, you’re fully armed from the beginning. But for some reason, you need permission from your space marine buddies every time you want to use a different weapon. After watching my health melt away for ten minutes in a lava level, I was finally granted permission to put on the heat-proof suit I apparently had all along.
But “Other M” isn’t entirely disappointing. The dark and moody setting feels like vintage “Metroid,” and the combat has never been better. The team behind “Ninja Gaiden” has given Samus several cool new moves, including dodges, counters and brutal finishing moves. And enormous bosses put these new skills to the test. It’s just too bad the story doesn’t reveal a very compelling character behind the green visor. Until she gets a personality transplant, Samus should keep her mouth shut and her morph ball rolling.
‘Metroid’ (E)
***
Nintendo
Wii Virtual Console
This 8-bit classic that started it all is definitely showing its age. The giant-headed sprite at the screen’s center barely even looks like Samus. However, with multiple endings determined by completion time, the game is still a favorite for speedrunners. But anyone who wants to know what it felt like to play “Metroid” for the first time in 1986 would be better off playing the GameBoy remake, “Metroid: Zero Mission,” which refits the original adventure with improved graphics and power-ups that appeared later in the series.
‘Super Metroid’ (E)
*****
Nintendo
Wii Virtual Console
Pretty much everything we’ve come to expect a “Metroid” game to be was established by this 16-bit masterpiece. There were countless secret paths to find, exciting items to collect and bizarre bosses to slay. The environments were heavy on atmosphere, and the controls handled like a dream. And without giving Samus the benefit of speech, the game still managed to deliver a twist ending that is both shocking and poignant (so much so, that it serves as the opening cinematic to “Other M”).
‘Metroid Prime Trilogy’ (T)
****1/2
Nintendo
Wii
The switch to a first-person perspective was considered risky at the time, but in retrospect, “Metroid Prime” feels more like classic “Metroid” than the far less experimental “Other M.” All of the dark alien worlds, ancient puzzles and hostile creatures we expect to see are visible through Samus’ realistically fogged faceplate. The best way to experience all three “Prime” games is with this limited edition “Trilogy” pack, which upgrades the first two GameCube installments with superior Wii controls and enhanced graphics, creating a single epic story that never feels dated. CV
