Nintendo World Report Metroid Retrospective

[CapCom]

In anticipation of E3 (that's this week!) Nintendo World Report has published a massive perspective on Metroid. Below is a link and a review.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/spec ... rtid=16314

Nintendo World Report's massive perspective on Metroid promises to be an interesting take on the series. The editorial was produced in anticipation of the upcoming E3 next week, in which we may or may not hear more news of Samus's adventures. However, the article ends up being primarily a summary of information we already know (or speculate that we know in the case of Sylux/Metroid Prime 3 ending) and 'boy wouldn't that be cool' commentary on what they'd like to see in a new Metroid game.

The most interesting parts of the article are the ones that actually go into some sort of analysis of the games, that tell us something long-term fans DON'T already know. These are the sections on Empowerment, though the second one is just as much an analysis of the stealth sequences of Metroid Zero Mission as a speculation of how they might be used throughout an entire game.

The final part of the article (what the future holds) also has some interesting commentary, along with a formal complaint placing the blame of Metroid Prime's low sales on lack of serious Nintendo advertising, particularly in the wake of Prime 3. Also, we have to remember this final comment, which was in some respects forwarded by John Harris in his adventure games overview: that aside from the main bosses and Samus, the real character of the games is not other bounty hunters or talking computers but the worlds themselves. The game world is as much an enemy that needs to be defeated as the castle is in Castlevania: Dracula is merely the final obstacle to overcome, the 'dungeon master', just as is Mother Brain or the Metroid Queen. And when it comes down to it yeah, one of the most fun parts of the series really is all that exploration stuff and figuring out how to get around in your environment

[sharonlover]

I have only had a chance to read Zach Miller's input on new game ideas.

I like his thoughts on all three. My only complaint is when he's talking about Metroid's being extinct and moving on from the "Metroid" title. I've been part of many discussions explaining that just because the Metroid (creature) is gone, does not mean that "Metroid" is extinct as I've discussed before, Samus is now Metroid, so keeping Metroid in the title would be suitable and the fact that during fusion she was Metroid anyway because she was infused with Metroid DNA. He talked about how they appeared in the last twenty minutes, but he fails to realize that she is now Metroid.

I still hold firm on that belief, don't know about anyone else. I did like his ideas though...very good ones.

[Infinity's End]

Wow, surprised that they didn't reference our version of the Manga at all. Or the fact that we have english translations of it, too (though, it's not up on the main site yet).

[AMetroidGuy]

Wow, surprised that they didn't reference our version of the Manga at all. Or the fact that we have english translations of it, too (though, it's not up on the main site yet).

I’m not surprised, I don’t think the snoopycool translation is that well-known yet. I was thinking of e-mailing them about it though. Are you going to? It was Zach whatshisname that mentioned the e-manga, right?

[Doftimus]

Although it does mention Samus has the metroid vaccaine in her and as some of you have said I would believe she is part metroid now which would mean Metroid can stay as the title but If it carries on or Nintendo add another game into the timeline before M2 or before Fusion then perhaps could be metroid. Because I would honestly believe the Galactic Federation has a bigger background story to this prior to fusion.

[Chaosblade]

I have only had a chance to read Zach Miller's input on new game ideas.

I like his thoughts on all three. My only complaint is when he's talking about Metroid's being extinct and moving on from the "Metroid" title. I've been part of many discussions explaining that just because the Metroid (creature) is gone, does not mean that "Metroid" is extinct as I've discussed before, Samus is now Metroid, so keeping Metroid in the title would be suitable and the fact that during fusion she was Metroid anyway because she was infused with Metroid DNA. He talked about how they appeared in the last twenty minutes, but he fails to realize that she is now Metroid.

I still hold firm on that belief, don't know about anyone else. I did like his ideas though...very good ones.

That bugged me as well. Besides, according to the games themselves the word "Metroid" suits Samus as well; based on the Chozo definition, it is more of a word than a species.

Still, I agree with all of those ideas for a game, with the exception of the whole squad based FPS thing (which the author didn't seem to like all that much either). That just didn't appeal to me and seems extremely generic.

I also couldn't agree more about marketing... Nintendo really needs to do a better job of advertising their games, both in revealing them to more people and to the right people.

I also couldn't agree more about marketing... Nintendo really needs to do a better job of advertising their games, both in revealing them to more people and to the right people.

Hell yeh! Here in Aus the only game's advertised from Nintendo was SSBB,MP3 and the Wii console and the only time the you would see them marketing is on late night tv. Thats it! As for PS3 and Xbitch 360 they have game advertisements on all day.

[Doftimus]

I think I never saw one advert for Metroid Prime 3 on Tv here in the UK. Although I do remember for Super Mario Galaxy though. Was really annoying to see a advert play like a month in advance for a game.

[Redwing]

I love the idea of Zero Suit stealth scenarios (my favorite part of ZM; I have a save file dedicated to replaying it), but after Fusion I also had another idea for gameplay empowerment variation. In the final boss fight, SA-X turns into that giant mutated creature... what if Samus could do that as well (albeit scaled down a bit). Then you would have normal Samus, stealth Samus and berzerker Samus all in one. Perhaps the 'monster mode' would be uncontrollable, somewhat like Phazon, except it triggers by itself and wears out after a while.

Or is that too Hulk?

[AMetroidGuy]

Too Jak II/III.
And someone else on the board had that idea too I think... in the More than skin deep thread maybe?

[Redwing]

Too Jak II/III.
And someone else on the board had that idea too I think... in the More than skin deep thread maybe?

That was me actually

I think she should do what SA-X did in the final battle when it was weak- transform into this grotesque, powerful monster. It would be an involuntary and uncontrollable change at random moments, or when she takes too much damage or absorbs too much energy, etc. She would live in constant "Dread" of being transformed into this horrible creature. People wouldn't like it much because you're transforming into this weird monster, but I think it would be interesting from a story standpoint- getting inside Samus' head and feeling her anxiety about the whole dilemma, what's wrong with her body, etc. She could even die of it at the end and I'd be okay with it.

[AMetroidGuy]

Ah, tricksy little Redwing child. When was your birthday?

[Redwing]

Ah, tricksy little Redwing child. When was your birthday?

Um? Forgive me if I don't see why that matters. Year of the Monkey though

[Maetch]

Reading it, I have the following to say:

*New game ideas - Some of them, such as the stealth-styled ideas, sound good, but I think it should be kept moderate. Metroid isn't Metal Gear, so stealth isn't meant to be a big factor. I do like the idea of switching between firepower and finesse, though.

*The Metroids - Apparently, someone didn't read the part in the Fusion manual where "Metroid" is translated as "ultimate warrior". The series refers to Samus as the Metroid, since she's always the focus.

*Talkback thread - There's plenty of comments from locals on the site about the article, not all of them good. One guy even believes that the Metroid series should die off altogether. Of all the nerve!

[AMetroidGuy]

Um? Forgive me if I don't see why that matters.

It doesn’t, just curious. You said you were 16 in the other thread, and last time you mentioned your age you were 15. So at some point this year you had a birthday. A big one even. And no one got to wish you happy birthday here.


And I will say once again, that I REALLY hate the idea of stealth-based Metroids. Leave that, as Maetch says, to Metal Gear. Metroid is an action/adventure series. Stealth sections are by far my least favorite aspect of recent Metroid and Zelda titles. If some sections are good for variety, fine, but don’t base a game on it.