Graphics comparison: Prime 3 and Other M

[newhenpal]

I'm going to have to go with Prime 3 on this one. Supposedly Other M pushes the Wii to its limits, but I honestly don't see it.

[Emperor Ing]

You'd have to look at the cutscenes to see the Wii being "pushed to its limits", because that is where the graphics of the wii really and truly shine.


And Other M does look amazing in some locals, and some environments are very pleasing to the eyes.

However, Sakamoto's team didn't have Retro's phenomenal team of artists and environmental designers, and while Prime 3 is older, it hides the fact that it is basically a high-end GC game with its incredibly beautiful art design, which does a great job of hiding most of its flaws (as opposed to some of the noticeable stinkers in Other M, like its jpeg icicles).

[yodanut]

This is probably the place where criticism of Other M is most unjust. Sure, Corruption is a beautiful game and you could certainly argue that it has better art direction and more memorable environments than Other M. However, Other M is a very, very strong Wii game in the graphics department, running at a smooth 60 fps, with really nicely detailed character models that are superbly animated, lots of little graphical flourishes, and hell, it even uses bump-mapping (which Retro never did). The tech behind the visuals is very strong, and the engine could serve another title in the series very well.

[newhenpal]

You'd have to look at the cutscenes to see the Wii being "pushed to its limits", because that is where the graphics of the wii really and truly shine.

No arguments on that. Other M's pre-rendered cutscenes are indeed gorgeous.

However, I don't think it's just the amazing art design, but also just how much more "alive" the environments are in MP3, where as everything's pretty static in Other M. At least in that vid. True, it does take place on a mostly abandoned ship with holographic environments, but still.

[yodanut]

However, I don't think it's just the amazing art design, but also just how much more "alive" the environments are in MP3, where as everything's pretty static in Other M. At least in that vid. True, it does take place on a mostly abandoned ship with holographic environments, but still.

This is true, but it was almost certainly a conscious decision on the part of the developers. There's nothing wrong with static environments per se, but it's hard not to be impressed with just how much is going on in most of Corruption's locales.

[kronoridley]

Although Other M had those jaw dropping pre rendered cutscenes, and the character models looked great, to me, the most important thing is the environment, where Prime 3 beats Other M by a longshot. So in the end, I have to go with Prime 3.

[FacelessGriffin]

Basically, it's not the graphics. It's the art direction.

[Lucid Flower]

I do not think it is fair to compare these games. It is completely different than comparing metroid fusion to zero mission. Those tow games are very similar.

The prime games and other M are completely different from each other. I do not believe that other M could have looked like Corruption just because it is also on Wii. Not to mention the stylized look of both games.

[Chris]

You all know what pre-rendered means yeah?

[newhenpal]

You all know what pre-rendered means yeah?

Sure. Why?

[ChozoBoy]

You all know what pre-rendered means yeah?

I was worried that nobody would bring that up as I read this thread, man.

Aside from how great the ''pre-rendered'' cutscenes look (though certainly not all of them are pre-rendered), the thing that MOM does superbly is that you aren't jarred when the game switches from gameplay to cutscene and back. They use high quality versions of the same models and keep everything constant and in-line with one-another. The very best looking scenes have great lighting and all the works, but are generally padded on both sides with transitional-quality imagery. The visual pacing is totally seemless, and it is the high points that MP3:C can't compete with. These games are on the same team, but running two different races for it.

[Trishbot]

You all know what pre-rendered means yeah?

I was worried that nobody would bring that up as I read this thread, man.

Aside from how great the ''pre-rendered'' cutscenes look (though certainly not all of them are pre-rendered), the thing that MOM does superbly is that you aren't jarred when the game switches from gameplay to cutscene and back. They use high quality versions of the same models and keep everything constant and in-line with one-another. The very best looking scenes have great lighting and all the works, but are generally padded on both sides with transitional-quality imagery. The visual pacing is totally seemless, and it is the high points that MP3:C can't compete with. These games are on the same team, but running two different races for it.

Are you sure you aren't getting those mixed up, or misunderstanding the "pre-rendered" scenes? Because MP3:C is almost entirely seamless, using the game's assets to drive the story forward, while MOM is the game littered with super-high-end expensive FMV videos that the in-game graphics jarringly can't compete with, and those repeatedly sucked me out of the experience again and again. They looked super shiny and flashy, but I was going "okay, controller down. Movie time" whereas MP3 very effectively channeled the in-game assets to drive the story forward and transition into gameplay nearly the entire game without any deviation.

[FacelessGriffin]

Call me crazy, but why do I sense subtle but distinct hatred towards Other M somewhere.

[Not Authorised]

Call me crazy, but why do I sense subtle but distinct hatred towards Other M somewhere.

Anyway, I think Metroid Other M does deserve the high praise it's gotten for its graphics, yes outside the FMVs. The visuals truly are a step above what I'd expect the Wii to be capable of producing without noticable slowdown. Certainly there are a few embarrasing spots like the 2D stalactites, but overall it's a very impressive production.

But Prime 3 has more interesting rooms.

[MaiAriSquee]

I like how you can completely explore the environment in Prime. Not so in OM. *shakes fist at invisible walls* Ridiculous!