A Christmas gift received from my girlfriend turned out to be a game I'm still playing.
** I know this review makes Platinum look pathetic, but honestly, thats an old review, and I can't seem to edit it because I don't feel the need to add anymore to a filler game**
A very powerful combination of gameplay and story, Metroid Prime Trilogy is a game not to forget. This game utilizes Wii's motion sensor technology, allowing the GCN ports of Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes to have a new spin on them. This game is more so three games, so my review will consist of three reviews.
Metroid Prime:
Short Summary:
This is a game that broke the threshold of current Metroid status. Up until this, Metroid had been a side scroller, as it skipped out on getting any releases on the N64. Everyone who cared about Samus and the Galactic Federation anticipated this tidal very much, as it was the transition to 3D for Metroid. Looking at the past, Nintendo had very few failures to transition to 3D, so everything looked very well. Metroid Prime's release not only upheld this tradition of good transition, but it raised the bar for the future, and is renowned as a revolutionary game; being the first die-hard FPA. (First Person Adventure)
Story:
The game takes place after Metroid (NES). After hurting the Space Pirate's massive empire, and destroying Mother Brain, the fragile Space Pirates had no real leader to follow. (Remember, Ridley "died" as well) The Space Pirates worked hard to revive Ridley, now with a shiny coat of steel. Ridley leading the pirates, they found a source of energy called Phazon. This Phazon can manipulate your body, take you over, and use you, much like Cordyceps. Ignorant to the situation, the space pirates experiment with it and the Metroids, but not for long. Samus lands on Tallon IV, a chozo planet, to find it is dying to a meteor known as a Leviathan, aka a Phazon core. So throughout the game you thwart the pirates plan's (crippling their empire even more), and destroy the Phazon core, but not before giving birth to a deadly enemy of evil incarnate, Dark Samus.
One follows Power...
The other craves destruction. Pick your poison.
Gameplay:
The game uses a FPS screen, but relies on Zelda-like adventuring. There are four beams, three suits, and several expansions to make yourself stronger throughout the game. Items such as Grapple Beam, Power Bomb, Morph Ball, and Super Missile make a return. The only item not to make a return was the much-loved Screw Attack.
The game also relies on a sense of awareness. You must be very aware of your surroundings, and look at your map at all times. On harder difficulties, it is even necessary to learn your enemies patterns so you do not fall to them.
Sound, Graphics, Value, Basically the rest:
The soundtrack was one of the top five best GCN soundtracks of all time, at least to me. Due to the Metroid Prime Trilogy features, you can even have the songs unlocked to listen too at your leisure.
Graphically speaking, this was one of the most beautiful GCN releases. The realism of the graphics surprised most, because it comes from Nintendo, and the detail at the time was above average to say the least.
The Value of the game constantly rises, being one of the top 20 best games (On Gamefaqs)
Too say the least, this is easily the best in the Trilogy.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Short Summary:
Samus returns on the GCN once again, but not so celebrated. The success of Metroid Prime lead to an amazing hype, much like Ocarina of Time to Majora's Mask. That said, this was the Majora's Mask, minus the fact this was much easier than the other two games. Most consider this the weakest of the series, as do I, but it is still a fantastic addition, and well worth your time.
Story:
After Metroid Prime, the Space Pirates had suffered a very heavy blow yet again. Now without a leader, they were in critical condition. They flew for recovery, and for the most part are not even in this game due to their dire condition. This game (and Metroid Prime Hunters) takes place when Space Pirates are barely present. This said, Samus lands on a Planet named Aether when she hears a Galactic Federation Ship is stuck there, and Space Pirates attacked them. She lands, only to find them all dead, pirates and all, and the world split in two sides from Phazon. Light and Dark Worlds, Samus must travel between both to save Aether, and kill yet another Leviathan. By doing so she not only destroys the darkness Ing, but also cripples her new rival Dark Samus...
Gameplay: Pretty much the same as Metroid Prime 2. There are different beams, light and dark beams, and an ammo system, as well as new suits to prevent damage from Darkness. This added a more FPS feel (and annoying feel) to the game which was unwelcomed by fans. The game brought back the Screw Attack (yes!), and utilized all the features such as missiles, bombs, power bombs, et
A big complaint of this game was the backtracking. This game involved a lot more walking into old areas than Metroid Prime did, which would have been fine if transportation was not so dreadful. (This was fixed in Metroid Prime 3) Aside from that, it follows the same mold as it's previous installment.
Sound, Graphics, Value, Basically the rest:
The soundtrack fell short to Metroid Prime, but was still great. It's nothing bad, just none of the soundtracks will sweep you off your feet really.
Graphics are the same as Metroid Prime, which is expected since it's release was soon after Metroid Prime.
The value is still great. This game is the weakest of the three, but by no means a bad game. It has problems, but it still ties up the storyline, and gives Dark Samus a time for his/her colors to shine.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Short Summary:
Nintendo must have felt ashamed Metroid Prime 2 did not deliver like it's previous installment. I say this because the finale of the Trilogy delivered and nearly knocked Metroid Prime off it's pedestal. With few flaws, this game was a beauty to look at on the Wii, has great controls, has a good achievement system, a great storyline that immerses you and finishes the trilogy out, and has a difficulty that isn't too hard (MP) or too easy (MP2). The game appealed to me so much, I cannot begin to say which is better: the first or the last of the series.
Story:
After Metroid Prime 2, Samus goes to the Galactic Federation, who is needing help getting Aurora Units (computers) back online from a virus. This virus was from the Space Pirates, who plan to attack the Federation's home planet, Norion, with a Leviathan. You start off immersed in the story, meeting four new hunters, and save Norion, but also get infected with Phazon. This allows you to enter Hypermode and actually use Phazon, but only at the expense of an energy tank. Getting back on the story, Samus seeks out to destroy leviathan's afterwards, as well as hunt Dark Samus (who infected Samus), and save the Galaxy from Phaaze. Ultimately, you're destroying Phaazon, and yet again, crippling the Space Pirates. (Which leads into Metroid II, Super Metroid, etc)
It's ironic that without Phaaze the Space Pirates demise would've been ever so more difficult. It's even more ironic the potency of a planet of pure phazon has on the galaxy.
Gameplay:
Yet again, the same gameplay, but this is where the motion sensor was utilized first. You use the grapple beam to pull back doors, you scan doors with your hand, have ID tests, etc. Several mini-features like this make it seem like a real Scifi game. Also, cut scenes were added, and Voice Actors were given. This made the game feel more in depth with the others. Side quests were added, optional expansions were added, and in-depth scan bios were given. Powerups in this game stack like in the Super Metroid era, and a lot of expansions on items such as Grapple Beam, Beams, Missiles, etc were given instead of new items you would never use. This made the game much more fun, not having useless items that eat missiles or health away.
Hypermode was probably the biggest addition. As I mentioned above, at the cost of an energy tank you could enter it and fire phazon. As you got expansions you could use Morph Ball phazon, Grapple Phazon, Missile Phazon, etc, but all at a cost...
Too long in the mode you will gain corrupted status, meaning you must fire all phazon out before you die. This gave the game a very unique twist, because you must use the Hypermode, but you must always be cautious.
Sound, Graphics, Value, Basically the Rest.
Sound made me think of Metroid Prime. Absolutely amazing. It was revealed by their efforts Nintendo did not want to tarnish this series with a mediocre ending.
Graphics are outstanding as well. Some of the best for Wii's release. It really showed everyone how much defined games like Twilight Princess could have looked.
Value is almost the best. It is worth very much, and the game is almost the best in the series.
All in All:
I decided since the games have the same game play view and feel, too show these at the end:
10/10
This is a very rare edition, so you better go get it before it's gone! I highly recommend this to any gamer out there, and I hope you find this review helpful.
